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Posted on Mon, Dec 20, 2010 : 10 a.m.

St. Francis Middle School choir to sing at the Vatican on New Year's Day

By Pam Stout

St.Francischoir.jpg

Courtesy of St. Francis Catholic School

On the day after Christmas, 41 seventh and eighth grade singers from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School are looking forward to some excitement. The school's middle school choir is headed to Rome, performing at a Holy Feast Day mass where Pope Benedict XVI is expected to make an appearance.

According to choir director Linda Opaleski, the St. Francis students were invited to participate in the International Festival of Pueri Cantores, a gathering of more than 90 youth choirs from around the world, about 18 months ago. The international congress is only held in Rome about every five years, according to the organization's website, so the opportunity was not to be missed.

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St. Peter's Basilica | Photo by Wikimedia

The choir has sung in regional festivals over the years, "but we have never been involved in anything like this," said Opaleski. More than 1,000 youth will sing at the closing mass in the Vatican Basilica celebrating a Holy Feast Day in the Catholic tradition: the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This mass occurs directly before before the Pope's traditional New Year's address and blessing in St. Peter's Square.

Students and families in the all-volunteer choir have been fundraising and preparing for the trip for well over a year. It has become a family affair, with 121 people traveling to Rome — typical of the choirs participating, according to Opaleski.

The group will travel for about one week, rehearsing, performing and sightseeing around the area. They will make a special trip to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and namesake of the school. "We thought it would be really special to visit the home of their saint," Opaleski said.

Pam Stout coordinates Faith and Home & Garden coverage for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at pamstout@annarbor.com.

Comments

kristyn huige

Tue, Dec 21, 2010 : 11:05 a.m.

Thank you for writing about some young people we can all be proud of. They have worked hard and continue to work hard for this honor. Please follow up on their journey. thank you, Kristyn Huige

dading dont delete me bro

Mon, Dec 20, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.

cool