Worship at Saint Gabriel Church
Liturgy is the “source and summit” of our lives, the “font from which all… power flows.” Every aspect of our lives, our families, work, education, and recreation begin in our relationship with God as present in the Word and the Eucharist. As the foundation of our lives, our parish strives to make the celebration of liturgy our very highest priority.
Worship at St. Gabriel’s engages all of a participant’s being – sight, sound, smell, taste, touch – a kaleidoscope of dimensions in which to approach and find God. Brilliant banners to celebrate the feast day, sunlight shifting through stained glass, the mysterious scent of incense rising with our prayers to God, the taste of bread and wine that is sweet food for our souls as well as our bodies, the warmth of a handshake that reminds us that in Christ we are one, the music of God’s voice resounding in the proclamation of the Word in song.
Saint Gabriel Music Ministry
St. Gabriel parish is particularly blessed with a vibrant music ministry. More than 150 musicians in our 7 choirs sing at over 600 Masses per year. Our choirs lead the assembly’s singing and offer music for prayerful reflection. We enjoy a wide variety of musical styles, including chant, classic and contemporary choral literature, traditional hymnody, folk, gospel, and even jazz and blues. Our musicians range from experienced professionals to those who are just learning to read music but love to sing; from kindergarteners to octogenarians.
Ours is the largest Catholic music ministry in St. Louis and is widely recognized for musical excellence, including by Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Burke. Dr. John Romeri, Archdiocesan Music Coordinator, recently commended our “monumental achievements” saying, “your parish music ministry is the standard by which others are measured.” Our choirs and instrumentalists have recently recorded two professional-quality CDs: I Am Your Servant and Wondrous Gift (Advent/Christmas).
Our ensembles include the St. Gabriel Choir (adult), Emmaus Choir (contemporary), Children’s Choir (grades 2 through 8), Angel Choir (grades K and 1), Resurrection Choir (sing for all funerals), Handbell Choir, and two Junior Ringer Handbell Choirs. We also have an active cantor ministry and numerous instrumentalists who add unique colors to our music in worship. Even with all these choirs, our greatest singing group is the whole assembly. With a history of strong congregational singing, we raise the roof every day singing praise to God. Whoever said Catholics can’t sing hasn’t been to St. Gabriel!
Our pipe organ is the cornerstone of our music ministry. When the organ was donated in 1961 and renovated in 1991, plans were made for future completion. Five years ago, we received a sizable donation of organ pipes needed to complete the organ, which are currently stored in the church basement and bell tower. Within the coming months, we hope that generous gifts will allow us to finally complete the organ as originally envisioned for our church.
If you would like more information about sacred music, are interested in joining one of our choirs, or would like to purchase a CD, please call or visit the choir loft after any Mass. Chris Orf, Director of Music; Scott Pluff, Associate Director of Music; Rosemary Weller, Music and Worship Assistant. (314) 353-6303 x131 or music@saintgabes.net.