A generous donour has supported our Organ/Choral scholar for 2005 and 2006 - giving $2,500 personally. A second anonymous donor has come forward and contributed $5,000 personally for the scholarship 2006-2007 and the parish is deeply grateful to them both.

Further sponsors sought to establish an Organ/Choral Scholarship at St. Francis of Assisi

In 2005, the Choir of St. Francis of Assisi Paddington celebrated the 10^th anniversary of its establishment as a robed liturgical choir, under the former Director of Music, Bernard Kirkpatrick. Under the new director, Noel Debien, the choir committee intends to build on the legacy Bernard enhanced.

In the last 11 years, the music ministry at St. Francis has flourished into a dynamic team of committed liturgical musicians, serving the 10.00am Sunday solemn liturgy and major feasts. Its mission of encouraging the active participation of the laity in the sung liturgy is complemented by a program of fine sacred liturgical music ranging from Gregorian Chant through the glorious repertoire of 16^th century renaissance polyphony, classical works with orchestral accompaniment to modern contemporary music of the highest musical and liturgical standard.

At this significant point in the our parish music ministry, it is important to look forward to future developments to consolidate and sustain the unique contribution which is made to our parish in general, and the example it offers to other parishes in the diocese and further afield. Without doubt, interest in fine sacred music is alive and well. One need only look at the proliferation of sacred music repertoire programmed into secular concert halls, the abundant use of polyphony in films and on CD, and the global revival of interest in Gregorian Chants revealed in pop-music charts and pop-music remixes such as groups like "Enigma". On the other hand, its application in the liturgy in most catholic churches today has been less than underwhelming, having been displaced by the likes of pop music styles of crooning tunes and vocalising styles of Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, or rappers like "Puff Daddy"!

The reasons for the displacement of the "Treasury of Sacred Music" from our churches are many and complex, but the perpetuation of the tradition within the church can only be maintained by training music leaders with the knowledge and skills in the specialised areas of organ/keyboard playing, vocal and choral knowledge and liturgical practice.

To this end, St. Francis Parish would do well to continue to encourage a young musician with the interest in pursuing these skills, with a view to passing on our tradition. The best means of achieving this is to continue the Organ/Choral Scholarship offered to a young person at university level who demonstrates the interest and skills required of a liturgical music leader.

We are therefore seeking further sponsor/s for an Organ/Choral scholarship to inaugurate this training process. Such an offering might be offered in memory of a deceased loved one, or anonymously, and would be a unique and practical way of making an invaluable contribution to the life of our church.

Our parish priest, Fr. Peter McGrath (Tel: 02 9331 4043) or Director of Music (02 8333 1446 during business hours) or email would be very pleased to discuss any aspects or questions regarding sponsorship of an Organ/Choral Scholar with anyone who may be interested in supporting this initiative.