Rejoice, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise. Sing to God a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant. – PSALM 33:1
The role of music in integral to the celebration of each liturgy and sacrament, and all of us are called to raise our voice in song to praise our Lord. Music is first and foremost prayer, a form of prayer that dates to the earliest times in the Church. We see in Scripture that Jesus and the Apostles sang hymns at the Last Supper before Christ’s Passion. Music helps us to express and share the faith that is within us and to nourish and strengthen our interior commitment of faith.
We invite you to prayerfully consider joining the Music Ministry here at St. Kieran! Click below for some of the various opportunities available at our parish. If you don't see a specific ministry you'd like to participate in, please don't hesitate to reach out!
The main adult choir at St. Kieran, the Liturgical Choir leads and enhances the congregation’s singing at Sunday Masses (on a rotating basis) and at special liturgical celebrations. The choir season runs from Labor Day to Pentecost, usually toward the end of May. This group is open to anyone high school age through adult who can carry a tune. Music-reading skills are not required, but can be helpful. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
This group leads worship at the Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass every week. Currently, we have a guitarist, a bassist, and a vocalist, but we are open to a variety of instruments or abilities! We can always use more singers, and if you play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, or another instrument and enjoy ministering through contemporary styles of music, we'd love to have you! The group learns the music ahead of time on their own, and rehearses from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. each Saturday immediately before Mass. If you'd like to join us, please reach out to our Music Director, Mitchell Owens, for more information.
St. Kieran Children’s Choir ministers approximately one Sunday per month between October and May. They also minister at the 4:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve each year. This choir is open to any children of the parish in grades 2 through 8. Rehearsals begin in September each year and are held on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please email our Children's Choir Director, Darlene Ivan (click here), if you would like to have your child join the choir. You're also welcome to reach out to our Director of Music Ministries, Mitchell Owens.
These ministers lead the sung prayer of the congregation at all weekend and Holy Day Masses. They also proclaim the Responsorial Psalm during the Liturgy of the Word. Cantors are scheduled on a rotating basis. They are expected to prepare music on their own, but individual rehearsals are available to any cantors who wish to take advantage of them, as well as recordings of certain pieces for at-home practice. This ministry is open to anyone high school age through adult. You must pass an audition with Mitchell Owens, our Director of Music Ministries.
Anyone who plays any instrument is welcome to minister at our weekend and Holy Day Masses. An audition is required, and instrumentalists need to be able to prepare the music on their own. Rehearsals would generally occur 30 minutes before the Mass at which an instrumentalist will play. Flute, violin, oboe, trumpet, drums, guitar, harp, or any other instrument is most welcome.
Our Resurrection Choir ministers at all funeral Masses held at St. Kieran. This group of singers typically rehearses immediately before each funeral, with some additional rehearsals occasionally added. Given most funerals are held during the day, often on weekdays, availability for weekday funerals is helpful, but not required. Please contact our Director of Music Ministries, Mitchell Owens, if you'd like to participate.