THANK YOU, JILL!
Jill Kilzer, our music and liturgy director since 2007, is retiring October 2. Many thanks, Jill, for your years of dedicated service to St. Matt’s. And congratulations on your retirement! All the best to you and Bill!
Ever since I began work at St. Matt’s in 2021, I’ve been grateful to Jill for her leadership in music and liturgy. Much of that important work is likely invisible to most people, so let me highlight some of what’s involved:
- Choosing music for all liturgies, including special music at Christmas and Easter
- Organizing and leading the seasonal choirs at Christmas and Easter
- Recruiting and coordinating additional pianists, cantors, and instrumentalists
- Leading our shift to a new hymnal
- Chairing our liturgy committee
- Dealing with copyright permissions and licensing for music we use, along with other paperwork
- And of course, the readily visible: playing piano for Masses, funerals and weddings
All this work supports our Catholic way of worship. Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” In His name, we gather weekly for liturgy, the “work of the people”. We’re ministering to each other by assembling, praying, singing, reading, preaching, listening, giving thanks, and breaking bread together.
Jill’s ministered directly through her excellence in music and musical leadership. She’s also ministered through her professional coordination of liturgical ministries. For all this, let us be grateful. Note: we are planning to honor Jill at Mass in a few weeks. Look for details in a future bulletin.
Jill’s retiring, not disappearing. She’s told me we’ll continue to see her in the assembly, worshipping with us when not traveling.
SCHOOL’S STARTING
Quantum STEAM Academy, the charter public school we rent to, begins classes this Monday, August 28. I’m glad that our school building—part of our physical endowment—continues to serve children. Let’s wish QSA well in this new school year!
Thank you for your support, and have a great week!
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