By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Nothing like the sound of angelic voices raised in praise to cap a hundred years celebration.
St. Anthony Parish in Kalihi will host a choral festival Nov. 20 in its church on Puuhale Road to culminate its commemorative centennial year. The two-hour concert which starts at 2 p.m. is open to any parish or school choir that wants to participate.
Organizer Cora Aczon hopes the event will attract 15 to 20 choirs.
She said that participating choral groups will be asked to sing two numbers. They may be praise and worship songs, inspirational or spiritual songs, contemporary or traditional songs “appropriate for a church celebration wherein God puts us together as one community praising, rejoicing, and trusting in his mercy.”
The songfest will be held inside St. Anthony Church.
“It’s not a competition,” Aczon said, “It is a music festival.” She herself will direct the St. Anthony School choir.
The $30 commitment fee will help the church, which is undergoing major renovations, and also cover printing costs, postage fees and simple refreshments.
Aczon composed the centennial theme song, “One in Faith, Hope and Love,” about a year ago. The parish has already been singing it at Mass. Copies will be distributed to participating choirs so that it can be sung as a finale.
The songfest comes at the end of year-long celebration that started in January with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva and other priests, followed by a cultural fair.
Vicar general Father Gary Secor presided over an anniversary Mass in June followed by a gala banquet at Dole Ballroom and the coronation of a Centennial Court.
Next month the parish will bring its merriment to the Ewa Beach Golf and Country Club for an Oct. 7 golf tournament with prizes that include a Mercedes Benz, trips and more.
