Music helps the heart get in touch with the liturgy. Our aim is to engage the Assembly in pray and worship through music. We believe that high quality music and the excellent preaching of the Paulist Fathers combine as a powerful tool for renewal and conversion. At Saint Paul’s, all are welcome to participate in great music of every type and of all periods. 

We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience to volunteer in Music Ministry at Saint Paul's as instrumentalists (woodwind, brass, string, percussion, and keyboard instruments), vocalists in the Caritas Choir (no audition required), and vocalists the Schola Cantorum of Saint Paul the Apostle (audition required). Requests to join Music Ministry should be directed to the Director of Music Ministry, Jeffrey Parola: jparola@sp-apostle.org.

For more information on how to join the Contemporary Ensemble, please contact the leader of the Contemporary Ensemble, Adam Jones: adamjones@sp-apostle.org.

MASSES WITH MUSIC:

5:00 pm SATURDAY VIGIL MASS: Marked by a mixture of traditional Christian hymnody and classic contemporary Catholic music, this Mass is adorned with music sung by the Assembly accompanied by the mighty Reuter/Rosales Organ at St. Paul's, led by our talented roster of cantors.

7:30 am SUNDAY MASS: This early morning Mass offers a contemplative, softer approach to traditional hymns and contemporary songs, matching the character of the early hour. The Assembly sings with the piano—and sometimes the organ—led by our wonderful cantors.

9:30 am SUNDAY MASS: This Mass is referred to as our Family Mass. Families and people of all ages are uplifted by the energetic and soulful music provided by the Caritas Choir & Ensemble, under the direction of Jeffrey Parola. The Caritas Choir & Ensemble consists of a dedicated volunteer choir, a cantor, melodic instruments, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and keyboard. Once per month, the Saint Paul the Apostle Children's Choir, under the direction of James Casey, joins the Caritas Choir & Ensemble to lead the Assembly in joyful song. The music for the Family Mass is generally contemporary in style, though traditional hymns and anthems are sung at this Mass. The Caritas Choir and Children's Choir recess for the summer months from mid-June to mid-September, during which our cantors and instrumental ensemble lead the Assembly in song.

11:30 am SUNDAY MASS: The Schola Cantorum of Saint Paul the Apostle sings for this Mass every season from mid-September thru mid-June, under the direction of Jeffrey Parola. The 11:30 am Mass features music in the grand classical Cathedral Style, with rich organ solos and accompaniments provided by parish organist, James Casey, and music sung by the Schola Cantorum from the vast treasury of Catholic Church music. From introspecitve Gregorian chant to Renaissance polyphony, from luxurious Romantic harmony to highly expressive and challenging modern gems, the Schola Cantorum inspires deep prayer and praise by drawing from some of the most beautiful music written for Christ and the edification of His people. The Schola Cantorum recesses for the summer months from mid-June to mid-September, during which our cantors and organists lead the Assembly with traditional hymnody and great organ works.

5:00 pm SUNDAY MASS: The final Sunday Mass of the weekend is a beautiful sunset Mass, filled with effervescent music of praise provided by the Contemporary Ensemble, led by Adam Jones. The Assembly in led in song by a cantor, oboe, guitar, and piano, with music ranging from the latest contemporary praise and worship songs, to classic hymns reenvisioned with a contemporary spirit.

OTHER LITURGIES:

FUNERALS

Our ministry through music in times of grief is a priority, extending from sympathetic planning of music to supplying high quality musicians to ensure that funerals and memorial services truly minister to the bereaved. For music planning, please contact Jeffrey Parola at jparola@sp-apostle.org.

WEDDINGS

The Director of Music Ministry, Jeffrey Parola, will help you plan suitable music to enhance your celebration, and to ensure the music suits the sacred nature of the ceremony. Our own cantors and keyboardists are available, and choirs and other instrumentalists are also available with proper planning. If guest soloists or musicians are desired, please request permission by sending an e-mail to the Director of Music Ministry, and/or for further information, please contact Jeffrey Parola at jparola@sp-apostle.org.

INSTRUMENTS:
 

LITURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AT SAINT PAUL’S: Our three-manual Reuter/Rosales Pipe Organ—first built by the Reuter Organ Co. in 1959—speaks beautifully into the splendid acoustics of Saint Paul’s, from a humble hum to a raging roar! The famed Rosales Organ Co. began servicing and revoicing the instrument in the 1970s, and thanks to a generous donation made by the Sawchuck family, the instrument was renovated by the Rosales Organ Co. in 2018, with several new additions joining the ranks of the instrument, and a new console was also installed. The Rosales Organ Co. continues to service and maintain the organ at St. Paul's.

The grand piano—located near the St. Joseph statue below the right side of the Sanctuary—is an elegant 7' Hamburg Steinway, Model B, suitable for liturgies and concerts alike. The instrument was kindly donated by the parents of former Director of Music, John Wattenbarger.

MUSIC MINISTRY LEADERSHIP:

Dr. Jeffrey Parola

• Director of Music Ministry
• Director of and Pianist for the Caritas Choir & Ensemble
• Director of the Schola Cantorum
• Organist for 5:00 pm Vigil Mass
• Pianist for the 7:30 am Sunday Mass

James Casey

• Primary School Music Teacher at St. Paul the Apostle School
• Director of the Children's Choir
• Organist for the Schola Cantorum and the 11:30a Sunday Mass

Adam Jones

• Leader of and Pianist for the Contemporary Ensemble

MUSIC MINISTRY PERSONNEL:

Ann Chen

• Assistant Conductor of the Schola Cantorum
• Alto Section Leader in the Schola Cantorum

Neil Cole

• Melodic instrumentalist in the Caritas Ensemble and Contemporary Ensemble

Jay Hemphill

• Bass guitarist in the Caritas Ensemble

Dr. Gregory Hendy

• Guitarist in the Contemporary Ensemble

Marie Hodgson

• Cantor

Dr. Matthew Nielsen

• Bass Section Leader in the Schola Cantorum
• Cantor

David Rakita

• Tenor Section Leader in the Schola Cantorum
• Cantor

Dr. Arreanna Rostosky

• Soprano in the Schola Cantorum
• Librarian for the Schola Cantorum
• Cantor

Haley Slade

• Soprano Section Leader in the Schola Cantorum
• Cantor

Teresa Weiss

• Cantor