Growing the Music Ministry at St. Al’s

Ave Maria. I Am the Bread of Life. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name. Be Not Afraid.
These familiar Catholic hymns have been sung at St. Al’s during the past 50 years thanks to students and year-round parishioners who have served this ministry. 

When Andy Gardner (’02 Electrical Engineering) arrived on campus in 1997, Fr. Larry put him to work in music min-istry. That first step began a five-year involvement with music ministry at St. Al’s, eventually meeting his wife Chris through that as well. 

Andy also served with Richard Lewn-au. “He sang and I played mediocre guitar. He was the only one in the choir after seniors had graduated. So I joined him. He was there every Sunday. His dedication was inspiring.” (Fr. Richard later became a priest for the Archdio-cese of Detroit. He died in a car acci-dent in 2010.)

Andy became a music leader for one of the St. Al’s choirs. He says that helped him not only as a student but later in his career. “I was having to make quick decisions about what music to play for Mass. In my work career, I have to make decisions and step up and be a leader.”

Victor (’14 Civil) and Amy (’14 Chemical nee Sieloff) Boron were both in-volved in ministry at St. Al’s. Victor played the organ and piano. He says he became comfortable with not only pre-paring and leading the music for Mass but also to say yes to new opportuni-ties.

While serving in the music ministry, Victor says turnover and having people show up each Sunday to help with the music were challenging. “I looked for-ward to giving glory to God with my skills and to help present truth, beauty and goodness through the Mass. We had a great atmosphere where people wanted to serve God and the congrega-tion by playing or singing.”

A classically trained pianist, Victor says playing the organ was a new skill he had to learn at St. Al’s. “It is hard to find a place to practice the organ, but at St. Al’s, there was easy access to the organ.”

Sarah Jo Martens (’18 Environmental) became connected with St. Al’s during an O-Week hike where she prayed with the group while hiking. That hike led Sarah to join the St. Al’s music minis-try where she has served for almost six years, playing the flute and cantoring. “I believe you pray twice with singing and you feel more connection to the Mass when you have music.”

When she began the ministry there was a small group of students that contin-ues to ebb and flow as students gradu-ate. She said the group has more coor-dination now but she thinks they could benefit greatly by having a music di-rector. “We have a system but students are going to leaveeventually and other students might step up what’s going to happen next?”

While these are just a few stories from the music ministry, we know there are more. Were you involved with music at St. Al’s? Share your story or photos.
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