Thursday 23 October 2008

EUCHARIST: SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION


SUNDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2008
at 11.00-13.45
at Bogor BMV Cathedral

Exultate took part in Parish Choir in the holy Eucharist of the Sacrament of Confirmation (Misa Penerimaan Sakramen Krisma) given by the bishop of Bogor Mgr Michael Cosmas Angkur OFM to around 330 people. I took turn with Bapak T. Marhadi as conductor. For easy songs (which I had chosen), I directed the choir. For difficult songs such as Spatzen Messe and Veni Sancte Spiritus, Pak Marhadi directed the choir. We had prepared a lot of songs but it turned out to be not enough. Luckily Bapak Marhadi could find some alternative songs taken from Madah Bakti and Puji Syukur. Thanks God that Mas Markus Herli was always ready to sing solo.

The Eucharist ran well despite some noise made by the young people who were waiting for their turn to get the sacrament confirmation. Mgr Michael C. Angkur OFM urged the congregation to be ready to accept the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that the bishop had ever been given to. The bishop also reminded every one that after they accepted the Holy Spirit, they had to be like Jesus’ disciples: be brave in spreading the good news (evangelization). Father Benyamin Sudarto hoped that all Catholic congregation members would be willing to take part in church’s services in their Catholic neighbourhood and in the parish.

The choir got some praise from the congregation despite some shortcoming. I noticed that Exultate sopranos took the lead and became motor for their soprano friends. Mbak Rina, Mbak Ika and Ibu Hoesodo, who usually sing alto in Exultate, became pioneers for sopranos together with Maxi and Sheila. They sat in the front row. A little “chaos” happened when we sang Sanctus… I noticed that the sopranos were not ready so that they did not sing the first words of the song properly. I know they were very disappointed about it. Anyway, they can still improve it next time.

Well, for most of us, singing together with others in our Parish Choir gave us some surprises, adventures, excitement and satisfaction. We were very happy to be able to learn and sing difficult songs… at last… the songs that we had longed to sing. It is true what Bapak Marhadi said that when you could sing difficult songs, there would be pride and joy... far from being arrogant. There are still challenges to come… and Exultate will go through them.

Thanks Pak Marhadi. Thanks Mbak Myrna. Viva Cathedral Parish Choir! Viva Exultate!

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