We're Back

Members and friends of the Chancel Choir recently returned from their France tour. It was a marvelous experience. Each tour participant has their own stories to share, but I have the opportunity to share some personal highlights with you in this article. The second day of the tour, the choir sang for mass at Notre Dame de Riche in Tours. This beautiful, historic church is home to a warm and welcoming multi-generational congregation. I was not expecting to see families arriving on bicycles and kids roaming the church aisles at a French, Catholic church (which in my experience are usually cold and formal). Even though we spoke different languages, the choir was welcomed by the staff musicians and priests at the beginning of the service, and we even received applause from the parishioners at the end. We felt a sense of home and belonging as guests in this foreign Christian community. Our experience at Mont St. Michel was very different. We arrived at the rendezvous point early; however, the person assigned to meet us and bring us into the chapel did not show up until seven before the beginning of the service. If you have been to Mont St. Michel, then you know it is impossible to walk up the steps in seven minutes, especially with a group of 48 people. But we persevered; arriving during the service and figuring out how to configure ourselves using gestures instead of words. To add a layer of complication, their keyboard instrument was broken and we had to sing everything a cappella with no warm-up or rehearsal. None of the staff acknowledged us or thanked us, but we did receive thanks and recognition from some of the tourists who heard us sing. On the bright side, every single person in our group made it to the top of Mont St. Michel (over 300 steps). Unforgettable! For many, visiting the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach was the most poignant day of the trip. We participated in a wreath laying ceremony and sang three pieces, including the National Anthem. The fathers of two tour members, Bill and Janice, fought at D-Day. Bill and Janice shared their fathers’ stories of the day and other moments of the war. Our group was silent and prayerful throughout, in awe of the place and what transpired there 80 years ago. The tour concluded in Paris, where we joined 330 other singers in a festival choir. You never know what to expect at mass choir events, but thankfully everyone was prepared musically, which made rehearsals a delightful experience for the singers and conductor. I am so proud of our choir for learning the challenging repertoire. All the hours of rehearsal, including Saturday mornings and practice tracks at home, paid off. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us along our journey. You may have heard that most people got sick at some point during the trip, which is true; however, no serious issues or hospitalizations. Praise the Lord! As far as we know, we didn’t leave anyone over there, so I’d call this trip a success. It’s good to be home, Liz Virkler Director of Worship, Music and the Arts