NEEDED: Some new people who like to "Come early, work hard, and stay late"

Sean & Claire at their 1st Honor Choir

As I look ahead to the future of the SRYC as Claire and Sean hurtle towards adulthood, I can't help but look back fondly at the years...

I remember when the Junior Youth Choir began under Mrs. Helen. I was there from the very inception of the "family" choir. Claire started in First Grade, before there was a Cherub choir, and I remember sitting every morning in the freezing dark cold waiting on her school bus with a blue binder spread out in front of us memorizing the words to that months' Junior Youth Choir music.

I remember Sean in his karate gi hiding under the bell tables, pestering John Luc who was also in his gi, and then remember the exact moment that they each figured out that if you pestered girls there was a much much bigger reaction.

Back then, we served dinner each week for the kids. One of my favorite memories is my accidentally asking Kaitlyn if she'd like some "dead animal" as I handed her a hot dog (never gave it a second thought, frankly...pun intended) and she burst into tears and refused to eat hot dogs for three months. Ooops. I remember Claire's face as it happened...there was horror, embarrassment, amusement, and surprise at Kaitlyn's reaction. I think it was the first of a long string of "Mama?!?" from Claire in the choir.

As Sean & Claire got bigger, the choir grew around them. Eventually, they graduated from the JYC and joined the ranks of the Youth Choir. We have done SO much work together. Sean was one of those rare choir members who came early, worked hard, and left late. Every time. He wasn't a gifted craftsman, but made up for it in enthusiasm and wit and charm. I have treasured his attention to detail and thoughtful work ethic and though his sarcasm can be distracting and confusing at times, he is ever a source of funny and quirky.

Claire didn't really have a choice about "coming early, working hard and leaving late." She has done it all cheerfully through the years and been a great asset to me personally and more help to the choir itself than anyone will ever know.

We start next year without them. Though they will return at holidays and sing with us while they are in college, the choir must forge a new path now. I am frankly getting older, and am starting to feel the effects of chronic illness and fatigue more than ever before. This doesn't mean we slow down or give up, but it WILL mean that new leaders must arise out of the ranks of the choir if we want it continue. I will need a few people who believe in what we can accomplish together enough to replace the two we lose and become the new "come early, work hard, leave late's".

It's worth it. The skills you learn last a lifetime. In this choir, you learn not only music, vocal technique, repertoire, and liturgy, you also learn service, business administration, cash management, marketing, product development, event planning, acting, theatre craft, banquet serving, cooking, and cleaning. These are the activities which make it possible for the SRYC to travel, and to give back to the younger generation the fruits of what we have learned and experienced together.

I ask you to pray for the choir as we transition. I ask you to help me recruit young people to this organization. If you have a neice, a nephew, a son, a daughter, a grandchild, brother, sister, or friend who would like to serve God at His altar in song, sing excellent music, travel, laugh, and above all and serve God in humble work to earn our place in the parish, please contact me at the Church Office. We will be taking applications soon for new members. (601) 366-2335, ask to leave a message for Carleigh Bedell. Thank you.

AWWWW...Isn't it CUTE?!?

PS...if anyone has any embarrassing pictures of Sean doing choir things (hey...Sean's Mom, email me sumthin' sumthin' please?) do send them to me so I can add one to this post.  Claire should not suffer alone the indignities of her youth.  :)  Thanks Mrs. Sean's Mom!!! :) :) :)