PROVIDENCE — Ice and cold weather could not stop hundreds from attending the annual “Sounds of the Season” concert presented by the Gregorian Concert Choir and Festival Orchestra on December 9 to help raise funds for The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin’s “Keep the Heat On” campaign. With the prospect of a cold winter and rising fuel costs, the program provides much needed assistance with utility payments to struggling individuals and families throughout Rhode Island.
Richard Andrade of the Interfaith Community Dire Emergency Fund, which administers the funds, addressed those gathered for the concert.
“Consider the accommodation that had to be given to Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Someone had to say, use my stable, use my manger. That is why we are here. We want to make an accommodation for the poor,” Andrade said. “The need is great, and we are meeting that need.”
Since 2005, Father Anthony Mancini, director of the Gregorian Concert Choir, and the Cathedral’s resident choir of 45 singers, along with the Festival Orchestra, have organized a musical program to celebrate the holiday season while helping those in need.
“It helps the poor and needy families in the winter,” said Father Mancini. “With the price of fuel going it up, the need is more urgent than ever. It helps quite a few people.”
Organist Philip Faraone agreed.
“This is a worthy cause,” noted Faraone. “These are tough times and the economy is bad. This concert is a way to help people and celebrate the season.”
In attendance at the concert were Bishops Robert E. Mulvee and Louis E. Gelineau, who participated in the concert by narrating a piece titled “Bel Bambino,” arranged by the late composer and former music minister of the Cathedral, Dr. C. Alexander Peloquin. Translated from a poem by French author Paul Claudel, Bishop Gelineau noted how the author, who had lost his faith, experienced a conversion while attending a service and listening to a choir sing vespers at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris on Christmas Day.
Phyllis Ann Persson of Cranston said she was enjoying the sounds of the joyous season.
“It is wonderful,” she stated.
“The singers have very strong voices,” Persson said, commenting on the powerful performances by members of the choir, including soprano Cecilia Rodi and tenor Ernest Marotta. “I think it’s an opportunity to raise funds for those in need. It’s tremendous that the choir has given so much time to this cause.”
Kathy Soscia of West Warwick agreed. “This is the first time I have been to this concert. The choir has very powerful voices.... It is very inspiring,” she said.
Bill and Margaret Enos from Bristol came to enjoy the music.
“I chose this over the football game,” Bill Enos joked. “It could not have been for a better occasion.”
“This is always a beautiful occasion with a purpose, listening to the music and supporting the bishop’s charity,” said Father James R. Collins, pastor of St. Matthew Church, Cranston.
As Faraone, sitting in a pew before the start of the concert thoughtfully stated, “This concert provides a way to help people and celebrate the season. It brings the community together. Instead of just contributing financially, people come together. This concert is a mission for God and neighbor.” It’s faith in action.”
