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Ministry Feature: Sisters of Charity Celebrate Sounds of Music on the Hill

The morning of April 17, 2010, was dark and quiet after the quick, but dangerous storm which hit Greensburg and surrounding areas around 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16th.  There were no lights and no electricity in Caritas Christi or in the city of Greensburg.  All the plans for presenting the "Sounds of Charity" at the Seton Hill Performing Arts Center were up in the air.  The theater was DARK.  The question was: “What can be done?”

There was a bright spot on the horizon.  Seton Hill University had electricity.  Would it be possible to move the event to Cecilian Hall?  Sister Lois Sculco consulted the men at Seton Hill who had just completed setting up Cecilian Hall for a large admission event to be held at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 18th.  The men assured Sister that they would turn the room around again, arrange the chairs, set up for the basket displays, and return at 4:00 a.m. to rearrange the room for the Open House.  At 2:00 p.m. they went to work.  At 4:30 p.m. the committee members set up the raffle items, the food service staff turned one side of Cecilian Hall into a flower area for the hor d’oeuvres, and the performers arrived to work with Jim Henon to test the sound system.  Bob Fetter worked to get the word out regarding the change of venue. Sister Sharon Carpenter drove the van to the Performing Arts Center to bring the people who did not get the word about the change up to the Hill. The program was a GO.

As the guests began to arrive at 6:00 p.m. all was in readiness.  The hor d’oeuvres were beautifully arranged and very tasty.  There was room for all to mingle and also to sit and enjoy the offerings. Guests admired and purchased chances on the baskets, made bids on the silent auction items, and purchased tickets on the lottery tree and the 50/50 raffle. All proceeds from the "Sounds of Charity" benefit the Far East Missions for the Sisters of Charity.

At 7:30 p.m. the concert began with a warm welcome by Sister Vivien Linkhauer.  Throughout the program, the Seton Hill University staff was thanked several times for their support and encouragement that the Sisters of Charity received prior to the concert when the University was the Gold Sponsor and for the untiring gracious assistance in setting up in a new venue.

All present were introduced to three different but talented performers who entertained with enthusiasm and joy.  The audience was drawn into the evening as Michael Gallagher asked them to sing along with the chorus of one of his songs.  They sang with gusto.  There was music to make us laugh and there was music to touch our hearts.  Many remarked on how touching Michael’s tribute to his wife was in the song, “The Love of My Life.”  Of course, all seemed to enjoy the duet of Michael and his sister, Sister Kathleen Gallagher, singing, “The Isle of Innesfree.”   Michael told Katie that the audience was the best he has had for five years.

Seton Hill Jazz Ensemble brought a wonderful sample of jazz numbers and each of the participants demonstrated their talents as their instruments were featured at various times throughout the performance.  The stage presence of the six young performers was a demonstration of the wide range of gifted musicians in the University.  Two of the Ensemble were recent graduates, two were juniors and one a sophomore at the University.  Their joy and energy easily caught the attention of the audience.

Julie Lee entertained with a hometown flavor and quickly had the audience tapping as she said, “We tap in Tennessee.”  One of her pieces was dedicated to the Sisters of Charity.  The first line of that song was, “Jesus is My Man.”  Julie wrote after her return to Nashville, “Thanks so much for having me.  I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.  I hope the Sisters of Charity make lots of money for Korea and China.”

The evening ended with all the performers and the audience singing “Amazing Grace.”  It was indeed an amazing evening.  The spirit was warm and friendly and it seemed like home.  Some commented that although they had really wished to see and be in the new center, it seems right that we should gather in Cecilian Hall, our home for so long. The raffles were successful. God blessed the evening with joy, love, and peace. The committee thanks all who helped to make the evening great.
                                                                                                                                                                   Sister Louise Grundish

Editor’s note: Special thanks to Sister Louise Grundish and committee for their untiring efforts and dedication to make the event such a success.