Ministers of music

And on the seventh day members of four choral groups at Our Lady of Fatima Parish won't be resting. At Sunday Mass, they will be celebrating the release of a new CD that shares their faith through joyful song.

After months of practice, rehearsal, more practice and recording, the Sudbury Catholic church is releasing "Pray, Sing, Love," an 18-track album performed by about 100 members.

As ecumenical as their faith, the songs on the CD include original arrangements of traditional hymns as well as gospel, rock and other songs inspired by African, calypso and jazz stylings.

For the CD, four of the church's choral groups - Choristers, Youth Choir, Light Stream and Adult Choir - recorded the songs under the direction of Music Director Cynthia Carpenter-Marr who also serves as lay minister.

Some of the songs include "Forever," "Were You There," "Your Grace" and "When the Saints Go Marching In."

Describing their commitment and effort, the Rev. Michael J. Bova Conti, the church pastor, said, "I'm really very proud of them all."

"When middle-school kids, high-school students and adults work together on a project like this, a certain bonding takes place. I think music has a way of unifying people and of lifting up their spirit," he said.

Proceeds from sales of the CD will go into the church's general fund, he said.

A Marlborough native who has also served in Acton, Lexington and Newton during his 37 years as a priest, Bova Conti said the church's Music Ministry encourages bonding between congregants of all ages to spread Christ's message in a joyful way.

"I think music is another way for people to pray. For young and old, I think it deepened their awareness of God in their lives. It's good for their families and good for...the church," he said.

Ranging from 7 to 70 years old, members of the four choral groups said the months of practice that went into the CD strengthened their belief in music as a vehicle of spiritual expression.

A member of the Adult Choir since 2004, baritone Ted Vander Els said the long recording sessions could be "stressful but fun."

"But the results are very satisfying," said the retired U.S. Army brigadier general from Sudbury. "It adds a spiritual dimension to the experience of the holidays. It just enriches the whole remembrance."

And Julia Palmerino, a 12-year-old member of the Youth Choir, compared the CD's songs to prayers that "help me understand my religion better."

She credited cantor Kim Whitely for giving her the confidence and skills to sing five solos and on 16 of the CD's 18 tracks.

For the Curtis Middle School sixth-grader, the hardest things were the multiple takes and jitters that came before her solos when taping at the Blue Jay Recording Studio in Carlisle. Some recording was also done at the Jon Chase Productions studio in Methuen.

An all-A student who plays the clarinet and likes Miley Cyrus, Palmerino said four years in church singing groups have taught her the importance of cooperation and "to just enjoy yourself."

Carpenter-Marr said the songs on the CD have played important roles in prior church services.

"It's not background music. It's an outgrowth of music in the liturgy that was chosen for its ability to evoke full and active participation," she said.

The project began with the church's Summer Adventure camp and required "a tremendous amount of work" over the next several months.

Carpenter-Marr said making the CD brought together children, teenagers and adults in a creative project that reinforced the core values of the church's Music Ministry.

"Music can be the heart of a parish that helps people lift their minds to God. (Listeners) will hear the tenderness of children's voices joined by the strength of seasoned participants," she said. "There's so much sharing of faith. These people are lifting their hearts and minds to God and having a good time."

THE ESSENTIALS:

Single copies of "Pray, Sing, Love" can be purchased for a suggested donation of $20. When three or more CDs are purchased, the suggested price is $10 apiece.

The CD can be ordered by calling the church at 978-443-2647 or visit the Web site, www.fatimasudbury.org.