TrulyGrace

THU and FRI- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2015

My Christmas in a few items...
an email
and two music lists--preludes and Mass music for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...
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An email message to my Belgian family, just sent a few minutes ago:

Le 24ieme et Noel j'ai passé avec mes parents, ma soeur et son mari (Kelly et Kyle), et mon frere et sa famille (William, Marissa, et leur deux petits, Beatrice et Solomon).  J'ai chanté au Cathedral pour les deux Messes (au 24ieme et au Noel, le Messe au 24ieme avec le Bishop).  Nous avons échanges les cadeaux, mangés, joués les jeux, mangés, etc.  Je suis fatiguée, apres un petit dormi!

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Nouvelle Annee a toi et a toute de sa famille.  Je me souviens quand ils étaient enfants plus jeunes, et Celestine etait un an.

Gros Bises a vous, sauf que j'ai un rhume....Ainsi, je envoye des baisers sur le vent pour vous!
Grace
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The St. Paul Cathedral Choir of Pittsburgh was joined by the Carnegie Brass, and some guest singers.  Linda O cantored for us, with Don at the helm an Ken accompanying us on the organ.

Here were the prelude pieces for Mass on Thursday the 24th which started at 22.00:
Sinfonia Sacra/ Christmas Cantata (Organ and Brass) (Daniel Pinkham)
Sussex Carol (Arr. I Higginson)
The Infant King (Arr. D. Willcocks)
Organ:  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Arr. J. Rutter)
A Boy Was Born (R. Farrell)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
My Dancing Day (Arr. Gerald Near)
A Child is Born in Bethlehem (R. Farrell)
Coventry Carol (Arr. M. Shaw)
See Amid the Winter's Snow (J. Goss)

During the same Christmas Eve Mass we sang:
Processional Hymn:  O Come, All Ye Faithful (Arr. Cherwien)
Bishop David sang the historical temporal placement of Jesus's birth
Kyrie (Mass XVI)
Christmas Gloria (Arr. Daniel Laginya)
READING 1:  Isaiah 9:1-6
Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 96, Today is Born our Savior (J. Chepponis)
READING 2: Titus 2: 11-14
Gospel Acclamation: Christmastime Alleluia  (J. Chepponis)
GOSPEL READING:  Luke 2: 11-14
HOMILY
The Bishop asked the question:  "Why are you here tonight?"  He mentioned that "God is jealous for us,"  [God] "wants us to be with him forever [in Heaven]."  That we must consider "God's need for us."
Preparation of the Gifts:  Christmas Lullaby (J. Rutter)
Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, and Amen:  Community Mass (R. Proulx)
Agnus Dei, (Latin Plainsong Chant, Mass XVIII)
Communion:  The First Nowell,
Brass/Organ Carols,
Chill of the Nightfall (K.L. Scott)
Silent Night/ Stille Nacht
Recessional Hymn:  Joy to the World (Arr. J. W. Jenkins)
Brass:  In dir ist Freude (J. S. Bach)
Organ Postlude:  In dir ist Freude (J. S. Bach)
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Here were the prelude pieces for Mass on Friday the 25th which started at noon:
Sinfonia Sacra/ Christmas Cantata (Organ and Brass) (Daniel Pinkham)
Sussex Carol (Arr. I Higginson)
A Child is Born in Bethlehem (R. Farrell)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Coventry Carol (Arr. M. Shaw)

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Mark Thomas.  During this same Christmas Day Noon Mass we sang, and the READINGS for the Liturgy of the Word were:
Processional Hymn:  O Come, All Ye Faithful (Arr. Cherwien)
Christmas Gloria (Arr. Daniel Laginya)
READING 1:  Isaiah 52: 7-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 96, Today is Born our Savior (J. Chepponis)
READING 2: Hebrews 1: 1-6
Gospel Acclamation: Christmastime Alleluia  (J. Chepponis)
GOSPEL READING:  John 1: 1-18
HOMILY
Preparation of the Gifts:  Christmas Lullaby (J. Rutter)
Silent Night/ Stille Nacht
Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, and Amen:  Community Mass (R. Proulx)
Agnus Dei, (Latin Plainsong Chant, Mass XVIII)
Communion:  The First Nowell,
Brass/Organ Carols,
Chill of the Nightfall (K.L. Scott)
Recessional Hymn:  Joy to the World (Arr. J. W. Jenkins)
Brass:  In dir ist Freude (J. S. Bach)
Organ Postlude:  In dir ist Freude (J. S. Bach)
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Kelly asked me and Beatrice and Solomon at their home this morning which were our favorite Christmas carols. 
"This year?"  I replied, "It's 'My Dancing Day.'"
Kelly pointed out the meaning of the words for that particular tune.  Hmm...maybe...I don't know.

I like a lot of Bob Farrell's music (he's the resident composer for our choir, and his wife and he are mighty fine choristers, as well!), which I also voted for and I also saw show up on the Mass lists for this Christmas.  I love Rutter's "Christmas Lullaby," an old chestnut for our choir.
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I swept William's front steps of his home whilst waiting for them to arrive this morning.  That was my good deed today.  I scurried back after breakfast with his family  (Dutch Baby X2, toppings, bacon, pot roast, and chopped Brussel sprouts), changed, prepared for choir, and filled my water bottle with salabat tea drink, too.  Needed all the help I could get for my little froggy speaking voice to turn into a high princess voice (un voix alto)!
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Christmas Eve Mom, Dad, Kelly, and Kyle watched the Mass at which the choir sang and which the Bishop celebrated.  We had midnight snacks, sandwiches, hot and cold beverages, pot roast, beef tongue, desserts and chocolates (L.A. Burdick) / les pralines (large dark, milk, and white chocolate)/ les truffes de chocolat  (some from friends!) We all decided to turn in after 2.00 Christmas Day.

posted by Grace @ 12/25/2015 06:08:00 PM