Published 2-23-25 bulletin
FR. DAN SHAUGHNESSY
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Lent is fast approaching, with Ash Wednesday on March 5th. This season invites us to deepen our prayer and reflect on life's fundamental questions:
- Is God real?
- Why did God create me?
- How can I have a personal relationship with God, who can often seem distant?
God knows, loves, and desires an intimate relationship with each of us. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, opening the gates of Heaven for all. If you were the only person on Earth, Jesus would still have died for you. At St. Patrick, Lent also brings the joy of special programs, Stations of the Cross on Friday nights, along with delicious fried fish and hush puppies!
As we move forward, I have some news to share regarding our music program at St. Patrick. We will be transitioning away from a full-time music director to having different groups of musicians at each Mass. We are grateful to Carrie Piotrowski for her 7+ years of service to St. Patrick. Thank you, Carrie, for serving the parish so well over the years.
I want to assure you that I am personally committed to a robust, Jesus Christ-centered music program at every Mass. The music will be selected to enable the community to lift their voices in prayer as we await the coming of Jesus in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Moving forward, we will feature a variety of musicians at our Sunday Masses. Mission and Identity Director Sean Feltz will oversee the music program and coordinate the weekend liturgies. We are also pleased to introduce Pete Buncher to St. Patrick. Pete is a talented musician whose gifts will greatly benefit the St. Patrick Parish community.
Looking ahead, in two weeks, Pete Buncher will oversee the music for the 9 AM and 11 AM Masses. He is a highly sought-after music minister in the St. Louis area, bringing many years of demonstrated talent as both a musician and worship leader. He has been invited to lead music for various diocesan conferences, including the Archdiocese of St. Louis Pro-Life March in Washington, D.C. Previously, Pete served as a youth minister at his home parish, Assumption (Mattese), and has recorded two albums of original music. With his extensive experience in uniting communities in prayer and worship, we are confident he will be a blessing to our St. Patrick family, and we hope you will join us in giving him a warm welcome!
Finally, I’ve also asked Sean Feltz to lead the music ministry for the 5 PM Sunday Mass. Sean began working for the diocese as a music minister at 15 years old and developed his skills on numerous ACTS retreats. He has served at multiple parishes throughout the Archdiocese and enjoys writing his own music, likening his guitar to his prayer journal. Recently, he recorded his first single, “Kenosis (In the Abandoning),” and has played for several Archdiocesan conferences, including the Catholic Men for Christ conference, where he met several St. Patrick parishioners.
To conclude, the Mass music schedule will be as follows:
- The 5:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass will continue to be led by Jim Randazzo.
- The 7:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Mass will proceed without music.
- The 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Masses will be led by Pete Buncher.
- The 5:00 p.m. Sunday Evening Mass will be led by Sean Feltz.
During this transition period, there will be an adjustment time, as is customary with any change. I ask for your prayers and patience as our new team settles in. Again, many thanks to Carrie for her years of service to St. Patrick Parish. May God bless you all!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Dan Shaughnessy
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