Our Lady of Light’s Music Ministry
“Music is integral to the liturgy. It unifies those gathered to worship, supports the song of the congregation, highlights significant parts of the liturgical action, and helps to set the tone for each celebration.”
(U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Built of Living Stones, November 16, 2000)
Under the direction of Diane Lehman, our music ministry continues to grow and bless our parish year round. We have been blessed with wonderful leadership in our many cantors, who are joined by a growing choir on Sundays. Our Christmas concert featured all the different musical groups that rehearse here. The Adult Choir that meets for 2 hours each Tuesday from 3-5 is active year round with many dedicated singers. Their performance of the Hallelujah Chorus on Easter Sunday was met with joyous acclaim as the parish celebrated the risen Christ. We created a Bell Choir for Christmas and Easter! The Children’s choir continues to sing at a monthly Children’s mass, especially presented with children as readers and singer. Instrumentalists joined our 3&5pm Saturday masses and our 8:30 and 10:30 Sunday masses. We now have talented violinists, a soprano sax player, a mandolin player, and our Cellist Lori, who has also been conducting the choir on Sundays at 10:30. We have an active Women’s Chorus that has performed at events in local area and at our Parish Center. Our Sunday Spirit and Song Worship Team now includes a full band, rhythm section and back up vocals- enhancing the contemporary repertoire with their talents.
If you are a musician, and would like to find a way to serve and share your musical talent with humility and grace, we would welcome your input, and joyously include you as we sing to the glory of God. Choirs and roles are listed below. All are welcome!
” To Sing is to Pray twice”
St. Augustine
If you or your child are interested in any of the positions or choirs below, please stop by and say hello after any mass, or contact:
Diane Lehman, Music Director
Phone: (239) 267-7088 ext. 233
Email: music@ourladyoflight.com
Cantors
The role of the Cantor is to make the congregation’s prayer possible through song. A good cantor must possess a strong singing voice and the ability to encourage the assembly to sing. Dedication and good musicianship are essential for this very important ministry within the liturgy. A rehearsal is necessary prior to each weekend’s mass.
Lyrical Ladies of Light Choir
The Lyrical Ladies of Light Choir sings at different functions on campus through the year. They performed at the Blue Mass, The Christmas Concert, and the Bingo nights held in the Parish Center by the Knights of Columbus. The Ladies also took their music to greater Estero, performing their repertoire of hope and promise, joy and peace, to functions at different communities, and Care Facilities in the Fort Myers area. The group rehearses each Monday in the Music Office in the Parish Center from 3-5pm.
Voices of Light Choir
The Voices of Light Choir sings at the 10:30am Mass every Sunday. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays 3:00-5:00pm in the Music Office of the Parish Center. We rehearse year round, adding extra rehearsals in preparation for special events or the seasons of Advent a Lent. Attendance to one of these rehearsals each week is strongly encouraged. The choir serves in a support role at Mass; music provided by the choir assists the heart and soul of the people to focus on God. All voices are welcome.
Children’s Choir
Our Children’s Choir has been singing once a month at the 10:30am Mass. We hold our weekly rehearsals on Sundays at 11:30 following mass (as the calendar allows).
Instrumentalists
All instrumentalists are welcome in the music program at Our Lady of Light. The augmentation of the music program relies and depends on your studied musicianship.
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”
Psalm 150:1-6