May 7 Beatitudes Taize Prayer and Concert to Feature the Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Choir

MILWAUKEE - April 22, 2014 - PRLog -- The School Sisters of St. Francis invite everyone to the historic St. Joseph Chapel on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, for “The Beatitudes: Living Christ’s Call in the Maze of Daily Life.” The event is free and open to the public.

Using the ecumenical prayer style of the brothers of Taize, France, there will be readings, songs, silent reflection and prayers of intercession beginning at 6 p.m.  At 6:45, a concert by the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Choir of Milwaukee under the direction of Brian Eggers will extend the prayer, leading listeners more deeply into the joy, simplicity, mercy and hope of Christian life.

The focus of the May prayer and concert will be “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”  The program for the concert includes: “The Beatitudes” by Vladimir Martynov; “Hear My Prayer” by Felix Mendelssohn; “Lord, You Have Searched Me” by David Hurd; “Gentle Shepherd” by Deborah Dresie; “Ubi Caritas” by Ola Gjeillo; and “Nunc Dimittis” by Richard Siegel.

Eggers approached the choice of music for the program mindfully.  “In choosing the music, I tried to choose pieces that reflected the beatitude of meekness—meekness that is based on complete faith in God and the saving work of Jesus Christ.  The compositions reflect the enduring and simple beauty of God's love in our lives, and how we, in turn, reflect that love through our lives of faith.

“Mendelssohn's Cantata is a wonderful depiction of Psalm 55: In the midst of our cry for help in times of trouble and doubt, God answers our prayer and provides a place of complete peace and rest and protection – ‘as on the wings of a dove,’” Eggers said. “Lord, You Have Searched Me reflects Psalm 139 and God's complete presence in our lives from the time we were conceived to the time we breathe our last breath. God is present, loving, compassionate, kind, and abundant in his care.

“Gentle Shepherd is a beautiful reflection on Psalm 23 and our relationship as his sheep,” Eggers said. “All through our lives, no matter where we may wander, God is there to guide us and protect us and lavishly bless us with his love. Ubi Caritas is a newer and very popular work by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeillo.  It is based on the familiar words heard on Holy Thursday, ‘Where Charity and Love Prevail, There God is.’ Ola composes a gentle and lush setting of these beautiful words that leaves you knowing God's presence and love in your life.

“Nunc Dimittis by Richard Siegel is a harmonious and emotional setting of the Canticle of Simeon. Its depth of harmony and emotion is a fitting way to conclude this concert on the beauty of meekness and love for God.”

Eggers, a Milwaukee native, is Director of Liturgy and Music at Saints Peter and Paul Parish on the east side of Milwaukee, where he directs four choirs and co-directs the school choir at Catholic East Elementary.  He has been serving SS. Peter and Paul since 2009. Prior to that, he served as Director of Liturgy and Music at Immaculate Conception Parish in Durham, North Carolina, and Immaculate Conception Parish in Bay View, Wisconsin.  Brian holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with an emphasis in Music and Liturgy.  He is active with various music organizations in Milwaukee, such as the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists.  He is a member of The Master Singers of Milwaukee and a board member and incoming chairperson of ALMA (The Archdiocesan Liturgical Musicians Association).

St. Joseph Chapel is located at 27th and Greenfield (1501 S. Layton Blvd.) in Milwaukee. Free parking is available in the lot behind St. Joseph Center, accessible on 29th and Orchard (Alexia Circle entrance). For more information contact Sister Mary Jane Wagner at 414-385-5246, or mjwagner@sssf.org.