Celebration Mass

Last night we celebrated the restoration of St. Peter's in Lindsay with a Mass celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Kevin Vann.  St. Peter's was packed in the nave and in the loft.  It was a wonderful evening that ended with veneration of a relic of the True Cross along with a nice reception in the large parish hall.  It was a joy to see that a good friend of mine, Fr. Samuel Weber, attended this Mass.  I knew that he was in the area (Fort Worth is actually a little over an hour away, but that's not too far), and was very pleased to see him.  As a matter of fact we sang a new setting of his for the Sprinkling Rite.  He said he was amazed as he walked into the church and then heard the choir rehearsing his music.  I was privileged to play with a very fine trumpeter, Dr. Jerry Biershenk?, who accompanied the hymns and some of the service music with lovely descants and provided  a fun little prelude piece for trumpet and organ.   The choir sang beautifully! and as I prepare for the first weekly rehearsal tonight I look forward to working with such a delightful and talented group of people.  Unfortunately, I was so busy that I didn't manage to get many pictures of the Mass last night.  Needless to say,  it went off without a hitch,  the restoration is finished, and my first large music project is over!