Over the Mother’s Day weekend, Catholic Mission held its second annual Mother’s Day Afternoon Concert at St Columba’s Church in South Perth. Titled ‘Mother of Hope’, this year’s inspirational and thought-provoking programme of sacred instrumental and choral music was put together and performed by Paul Wright and Emma Spadaccini, one of Perth’s renowned violinist and soprano respectively, along with their Mother’s Day String Quartet of violins, viola and cello and their choral ensemble of six. Beginning with Paul Wright’s Ave Maria on solo violin, the hour-long programme showcased an amazing potpourri of string and choral music from the 16th to the 21st century, by John Taverner, Gustav Holst, Anton Dvorak, Ola Gjeilo and JS Bach with the finale being a powerful rendition of Jacques Arcadelt’s Ave Maria with both the string quartet and choral ensemble in full flight.
Each piece of music evocatively captured a particular aspect of the Mother of Hope theme. But more importantly than that, many of the 173 people that attended commented on how they felt moved to tears by music that spoke so beautifully and directly to their hearts.
Dan Carney, a retired concert violinist who was the keynote performer for Catholic Mission’s first Mother’s Day Concert last year, commented on how “… it felt much more than just a wonderfully exquisite performance by some very fine musicians…”. Dan sums it up for many of us when he goes on to say “…it was indeed a performance that transformed into a prayer that united both performers and audience alike. Exquisite… a truly remarkable spiritual experience for me…”
Mother’s Day is an opportunity for us to be Missionaries of Hope in the public space through the mystical and evangelising power of music. Such music becomes much more than just a counter to the commercialisation and commodification of this special and sacred day.
In the words of Pope Leo XIV, it offers us an opportunity to build bridges, spread hope and remind everyone of the inspirational role and healing presence of mothers every day and everywhere.
So the Mother’s Day Concert becomes an important occasion to celebrate and affirm the sacredness of Motherhood. At the same time the proceeds from this year’s Mother’s Day Concert will indeed lift the burden of mothers in Zambia – many of whom walk for days, in labour, to access life-saving maternity care. If you would like to support this important work in Zambia, then please go online at www.catholicmission.org.au
John Mutoya, leader of the Green Pasture Singers, a Zambian Catholic gospel choir based here in Perth was particularly touched by how the music was such a moving tribute to Mother Mary. John goes on to say “…as someone who knows first-hand the challenges many Zambian mothers face in the rural villages, this concert is a powerful act of love and solidarity with them…”
Anne Kennedy from the RCIA Office commented, “….For our Neophytes, our new Catholics, this concert provided a wonderful experience of the richness of the Church. People using their amazing musical ability to provide a beautifully sacred experience for us to enjoy while also being in solidarity with mothers in Zambia…”
Catholic Mission is particularly grateful to Fr Nino and his Parish Team for hosting what was a truly spiritual experience inside the beautiful St Columba’s Church. The team provided a tasty Devonshire Tea for those who chose to stay after the concert on the grounds of the Church allowing for the serene and picturesque views of the Swan River to complete the package and make this Mother’s Day a truly memorable one for all.
So not just a Happy Mother’s Day, but a Blessed one too.
If you would like to know more about Catholic Mission’s Music for Mission program, two of which are scheduled to commemorate both Grandparents Day in July on the Feast of St Joachim & St Anne, and the start of the Advent season in the last week of November, do call Francis Leong, Province Director for Catholic Mission on 6234 1760 or email him at fleong@catholicmission.org.au for more details.