November 13, 2009
We’re getting a new pastor in 2010
One constant in life is everything changes; children grow, families move, jobs are uncertain. In the past eleven years change has been a constant companion to the community of Saint Anne. We have worshiped in different sites. We have been blessed with new families. We have mourned the loss of friends, and we have embraced new life. In the next year we face a new challenge – Father Don will be moving to a new position in June 2010.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has a policy that priests’ assignments are six-years in length. At one time pastors were assigned for life, but wisdom and experience showed that this practice brought complications and problems for both pastors and congregations. Term limits allow parishes the chance of growing with different pastors and they allow pastors to experience the gifts and talents of new communities. Should they desire it, pastors and congregations are given the opportunity to extend a six-year term to a maximum of twelve years. Father Don will be completing his twelfth year next June and will be assigned to another position in the Archdiocese.
Change can be hard. It is especially difficult to say good bye to Father Don, our leader for the last eleven years and a wonderful example of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. While the news of pastoral rotation comes wrapped in a bittersweet package, we must stand assured that this is indeed the work of God and an opportunity for greater growth and increased faith. This will make Saint Anne a stronger parish, and like every other change at Saint Anne, will be another marker of success for our parish. Saint Anne is known for its unconditional fellowship, unwavering faith, and time tested resiliency. This will be no different. Coming together as a community, praying together, and embracing this process will ensure a smooth transition for everyone.
Changing leadership is a process. There is a Transition Team at Saint Anne working to prepare us for our upcoming pastoral change. As we walk through the necessary steps, we ask for everyone’s prayers. Our team believes that preparation is the key to a smooth transition. Our goal is to keep all parishioners informed as we move through this process. We plan to communicate through all possible channels. Please watch for our communications and talk to us about your concerns.
There is a temptation to see Father Don as an irreplaceable core of Saint Anne. However, as Father Don has constantly and consistently taught, Saint Anne is its members, their faith, their fellowship, and their love for one another. It is our mission, to embrace this pastoral change with confidence and optimism. With the challenge of a pastoral transition before us, we may wonder, “What are we going to do? What role does the parish have in selecting and welcoming a new pastor?” We will continue to pray together, believe in each other, and have faith in the Archdiocese to do what is good for our parish. We will have opportunities to share our vision of a pastor and express who we are as a community of faith.
We will honor the work that Father Don has done here by following his teaching and example of servant leadership. We will express our gratitude for the gifts he has given us by continuing to be a welcoming parish. We will welcome our new pastor, who is coming to pray with us, to learn from our experiences, and to walk together with us on our ever-changing journey with Christ.
This is an important year of transition for Saint Anne’s community. Next Spring we will gain a new pastor as Father Don moves on to a new assignment. In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee the assignment of a new pastor is a year-long process.
October 2009 – Father Don submitted notice to the Archdiocese that his 12-year term as pastor would end in June of 2010.
January 2010 – Saint Anne’s will be “open listed”. Priests who are ready to transfer or who might be interested in serving here at Saint Anne are able to request a pastorate through the Priest Personnel Board.
January 2010 – The Archdiocese will send a “Parish Profile” to our Parish Council. They will be asked to provide details about the parish (population, finances, building conditions) and to submit a “picture” of the parish’s priorities, goals, and mission.
February-March 2010 – Members of the Priest Personnel Board will host an open meeting for the parish to listen to our concerns, hopes, and priorities regarding a new pastor. They do not take “requests”. Rather their task is to get a better feel for the community with the aim of making a good “fit” in recommending a new pastor.
April-May 2010 – The new Archbishop, after considering the recommendation of the Priest Personnel Board, will announce a new pastor.
June 13, 2010 – Father Don’s last Sunday as pastor at Saint Anne.
June 20, 2010 – We welcome our new pastor.
The St. Anne Pastoral Transition Team
Manoj Babu manojbabu@sbcglobal.net 308-2049
Ed Duncklee eduncklee@saint-anne.org 694-0026
Judy Hains judy.hains@sbcglobal.net 697-9441
Judy Hutchins gj5hutch@aol.com 496-8474
Sandy Milligan samilligan@wi.rr.com 652-5784
Barbara Scavone bscavone@wi.rr.com 914-2660
Carol Seitz cseitz1@wi.rr.com 694-0541
August 28, 2009
Seeing into the Future. . .
As the new school year begins, and as the activities at St. Anne percolate into a higher gear, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you some of my thoughts and vision for the Music Ministry. Flatly stated —St. Anne is a musical church. It’s one of the reasons I accepted the position as Music Director. Imagine with me the possibilities that may present themselves in our journey together.
The current adult choir is about 30-35 strong when everyone is present. There are approximately 20 cantors to help lead us in song. About 30 parishioners who have instrumental talents (of all ages and levels of expertise) have volunteered at points in the past to share their abilities at Mass. 40 children signed up for choir last year, unfortunately dwindling to 15 or 20 by year’s end. (I’m relating these figures based on casual conversations I’ve had since arriving here.)
Now, here are a few of the things that I think are possible in this next year.
- With the number of instrumentalists available, it would be good to have one or several or an ensemble accompanying the liturgy at every Mass. To form those ensembles we need anyone who can play to participate: guitarists, bass players, drummers, wind, brass, and string players, and keyboards, harp, dulcimer, and accordion. ALL instruments have a place in praising God, and we’ll make room for you! No matter whether you haven’t played since high school, or if you a beginner, or if you make your living as a professional: all are welcome!
- The hardest part of forming a children’s choir is finding time in a young person’s busy schedule. I know that soccer or gymnastics, lessons or other opportunities create busy schedules for child and parent alike. So the hardest part is making that commitment and keeping it. This year children’s choir will be on Wednesday nights at 4:45 p.m. Once a month it will lead directly into the regular Whole Community Catechesis session on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:45. We will sing at Mass on a regular basis, maybe two times a month, sometimes on Saturday.
- One of the new ensembles that I would like to start is a bell choir, or rather several bell choirs: children, teens and adults, with and without prior musical experience. Bell choirs require one thing above all others: commitment. When one player is missing, it is like playing a piano with broken keys, or a trumpet with a stuck valve. Bells can also be expensive. I have several solutions that I am working on. One is that a set of tone chimes (similar to hand bells, but 1/10 the cost) be obtained as a start. Another is that the local association of hand bell ringers loan sets of bells to schools and churches for a year, and provide help in getting the groups started. The third is the least expensive. I was browsing the web a few weeks back and discovered plans for making a set of hand held bells for about thirty dollars in materials found at any hardware store. If there are any parishioners or friends of St. Anne that are handy with tools and would like to put a set together, come see me after Mass. You can check out the website at http://www.campbell.edu/faculty/whitley/ToneChimes.pdf .
Another thought: inviting friends, neighbors and acquaintances who have musical talent to become part of the music ministry is a great way to enlarge and enrich our community. It is an evangelistic opportunity to share what is so exciting about being a part of St. Anne.
None of this can happen without you. The most important ministers of music are the community that gathers to pray. Some of the possibilities that I have in mind include part singing by the assembly, antiphonal responses, and a wider musical vocabulary with which to praise and pray. Imagine a Palm Sunday procession with 20 instrumentalists from saxophone to flute and trumpet. Imagine processional banners and palms, a large choir and maybe dancers. And there are hand bells and drums and loud praise-filled singing from the gathered assembly. In my mind’s eye it is awesome AND possible.
So, the first meeting of the Adult Choir and anyone interested in being an instrumentalist will be a purely social event. On Thursday, September 3, at 6 p.m. we will gather at St. Anne for a summer’s end potluck and grill out. Anyone who would like to be part of the choir, or if you just want to find out more about the choir should bring a dish to pass (desserts, salads, veggies, etc.). Meat for the grill will be provided. (And we’ll need help with the grilling.) Invite a friend who might be interested. This will be a great opportunity to share your thoughts about music at St. Anne.
Rehearsals will begin the following Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. in the church.
If you are interested in being involved as an organizer, leader, assistant, or music filer, sound person, composer, dancer, cantor, choir member, bell ringer: email me at lstahl@saint-anne.org or contact me at church on the weekend. To make this vision a reality will take many hands and many types of talent.
August 14, 2009
When you sing you begin with “do re mi…”
Everything I know (well almost everything) I learned from musicals (opera, too). Oh, and church (I’ve been a music director/organist/liturgy guy since 1960 or so). Then there’s my dogs. Maybe I’ve learned the most from them. So I begin. . .
