Jeanne Cotter named artist-in-residence at St. Thomas, schedules first concert for Oct. 1
As artist-in-residence, Cotter will lead the music at St. Thomas' weekend Masses once a month, sharing her faith with song and story, and will present a variety of monthly concerts and programs at St. Thomas the Apostle through May 2017. Programs include concerts, workshops, the parish Lenten mission, and sharing her faith experience through story-telling.
Cotter's first appearance for weekend liturgies at St. Thomas will be at the Saturday vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 17; and at the 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. Masses on Sunday, Sept. 18.
In her first program at St. Thomas, "Jeanne Cotter in Concert" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, Cotter will both entertain and delight her audience with original piano works and inspirational songs as she shares heartwarming and amusing anecdotes about growing up in an Irish Catholic family in southern Minnesota. The program promises to be a rewarding, faith-filled and enjoyable experience. A free-will offering will be accepted at the door.
Calling on her many talents, Cotter has captured the hearts of listeners throughout the United States and Canada for over 20 years. Her bounty of knowledge is grounded in her own story, what Cotter terms "the authority of experience." With numerous recordings and music collections to her name, Cotter's latest projects include the release of two recordings this past year, "The Old Gravel Road: Storytelling and Song From the Heartland" and "Tender Hearted." She also has added the publication of her inspirational children's book "Child of the Moon" to her list of artistic achievements.
Active with the North American Form on the Catechumenate, Cotter also has served as master teacher and coordinator of the Keyboard and Ensemble Schools for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. She holds an interdisciplinary master's degree in psychology and spirituality; her undergraduate studies were in theology and music.
The Oct. 1 concert will coincide with Cotter's appearance to lead the music at all Masses at St. Thomas that first weekend of the month. Cotter's schedule leading the music at all weekend Masses through the end of the calendar year at St. Thomas includes Oct. 1 and 2, Nov. 12 and 13, and Dec. 3 and 4. The St. Thomas weekend Mass schedule is: 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and 8:00, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The artist-in-residence program is being sponsored by the generosity of a group of St. Thomas parishioners who recognize music as prayer, and wish to offer the opportunity for such appreciation to the community.
For more information about Cotter, the October program "Jeanne Cotter in Concert," or the artist-in-residence program, contact Scott Knisley, director of liturgy and music ministries at St. Thomas at (630) 355-8980, ext. 111 or at sknisley@stapostle.org.
St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,700 households of more than 11,200 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information please call (630) 355-8980.