Mercy Corner: Resurrection Choir uses talents to serve others

10 May 27, 2016
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Mercy Corner: Resurrection Choir
uses talents to serve others
BY LOREENE ZENO KOSKEY
THE U.P. CATHOLIC
During this Year of Mercy called by Pope
Francis, the Resurrection Choir at St. Michael
Parish in Marquette has had many opportunities to exercise the corporal work of mercy,
“To Bury the Dead.” During the first two-anda-half months of 2016, the choir has sung at
13 funeral liturgies, compared to 26 for all of
the previous fiscal year.
The Resurrection Choir, which has been
a faithful ministry at St. Michael Parish for
around 15 years, was the brainchild of former
employee, Melanie Coddington, who now
works for the Diocese of Richmond. Formation of this choir fulfilled her dream of a ministry that combined music and pastoral care.
“In my long years as a cantor, funerals stood
out as the most profound moments of ministry,” explained Coddington. She presented her
idea of expanding the singing role at funerals
from a sole cantor to include a choir to the
parish’s worship committee, with the support
of then-pastor, Monsignor Jed Patrick.
“Eventually, with the initiative emerging
from the worship committee, we were able to
make the presence of the Resurrection Choir
normative at parish funerals,” she said.
Anyone is welcome to sing in the Resurrection Choir, and members are notified of
upcoming Masses of Christian Burial by email
or phone. By belonging to the choir, Emma
DeCorte feels she is doing the Lord’s work.
“Singing is a ministry God has called me to,”
she said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LOREENE ZENO KOSKEY
Mary Ganfield serves as the accompanist for the Resurrection Choir at St. Michael Parish, Marquette.
Funeral services bring families together
and provide opportunities for evangelization.
Choir member Sue Zhulkie stated, “Families
come in all religious stripes these days, and
the funeral liturgy not only comforts those
who grieve but is an opportunity to draw
people closer to Jesus through the ministry of
the parish.”
Gerry Waite has enjoyed participating
in this music ministry, because it consoles
mourners, and he wanted to be a part of St.
Michael parish’s welcoming spirit. “Frequently, mourners were not from the parish and
certainly often unchurched, so our testimony
to the importance of this celebration could
be efficacious. I also felt it good to sing at the
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May 27, 2016
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PHOTO COURTESY OF LOREENE ZENO KOSKEY
The Resurrection Choir at St. Michael Parish in Marquette exercises the corporal work of mercy, “Bury the
Dead,” by singing at Masses of Christian Burial. From left to right are Beth Allen, Rusty Bowers, Pat Geoffrion,
Jean Gannon and Cindy Ampe.
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funeral of one with few mourners, frequently
the elderly, again to demonstrate our parish's
caring spirit,” he noted.
Franz Gotzel agreed, saying, “This ministry
gives some solace to the bereaved. That is why
I am mainly in this ministry.” Accompanist
Mary Ganfield added, “Our presence gives
support to the family. ‘Strangers’ who care
enough to spend time with them in honoring
their loved one is very meaningful.”
Cindy Ampe became involved with the
Resurrection Choir after her mother and father died. “When I was at the funeral Masses
for my parents, I felt such a sense of hope
and peace during their services. I hope that
through prayerful singing, our choir can provide this same sense of peacefulness and hope
to the families we serve.”
Zhulkie pointed out that mercy is not only
extended to grieving families through the
Resurrection Choir but also through the
ministry of many others. “The priest, servers,
lectors, choir and women (usually) who serve
the post-funeral meal are signs of hope,” she
said.
“They are not forced to serve. They serve
because God’s grace inspires love and mercy
in ways that can be felt, heard and seen. The
choir illuminates God’s mercy by singing for
people that they often don’t know personally.
This demonstrates that God’s mercy embraces
all, without discrimination.”
Throughout this Holy Year, The U.P. Catholic will be highlighting the works of mercy
taking place in our parishes and communities across the Upper Peninsula. If you have
a story and pictures of a person or group of
people who are actively engaging in works
of mercy, email your suggestion to The U.P.
Catholic at news@ dioceseofmarquette.org.