Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Sacred Music Institute at the AV in July

A few things. Number one: I have never met anyone who knows the Sheehans and wasn't delighted to make their acquaintance. Number two: The AV is a nice place to visit even in the heat of July. Number three: This is a well put-together program where you will learn a lot and make friends. 


(Antiochian.org) - After a two-year delay in the Coronavirus pandemic, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph calls upon clergy, chanters, and choir directors and members to register now for the in-person Sacred Music Institute at the Antiochian Village, July 13-17, 2022.

For over three decades, the Archdiocese's Department of Sacred Music has offered this annual summer retreat to develop God-given gifts within liturgical worship. The theme "Proclaiming the Word, Living the Liturgy" will run throughout the workshops, presentations, and breakout sessions. There will be time for laughter, socializing, and of course singing and praying together. Featured guests Benedict and Maria Sheehan will enrich the experience of attendees as they contribute their musical talents and expertise to the SMI.

This is an opportunity too good to pass up! Read Metropolitan Joseph's letter below.


May 3, 2022

Reverend Clergy and beloved Choir Directors, Choir Members, and Chanters,

Christ is risen!

Having concluded another beautiful Holy Week and celebrated once again the resurrectional joy of Pascha, I express my profound gratitude to all of you who have worked so diligently to "give glory to His praise" (Psalm 65/66:2). We also owe a debt of gratitude to Chairwoman Mareena Boosamra Ball and our entire Department of Sacred Music, along with our Department of Liturgics, for providing so many great resources for clergy and choirs, thus helping us increase the beauty and dignity of our services. Many thanks to you all!

Of course, we must never be complacent in our work for the Lord, and even as we take a little rest from the rigors of Holy Week, we also look forward to upcoming opportunities to continually improve our musical offering to God. After years of virtual sessions, we will (God willing) finally have an in-person Summer Sacred Music Institute at the Antiochian Village, July 13–17. The theme will be "Proclaiming the Word, Living the Liturgy," which highlights the deeper significance of our church music. It is not just a performance (like some concert), but rather a beautiful, poetic, and precise communication of the word of the gospel. Likewise, it is not just an ornament for our services but rather an inextricable component of our life of worship and service to God. Both these facets of our sacred music are well known to those of us who find ourselves singing parts of the liturgy while walking through our daily lives. As we ruminate on these hymns, we grow in our understanding of the Faith; as we fill our days with these melodies, they bring the Light of Christ into our lives.

I encourage you to attend and take full advantage of this Sacred Music Institute. Registration is now open at AntiochianVillage.org. Make sure to sign up early to reserve your spot!

With gratitude and prayers for your ministry of music in our churches, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,

+JOSEPH

Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

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