Music is a big part of the ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, but many people may not know its center is near Crafton.
The diocese's music office is located at 2900 Noblestown Road, on the same property as St. Paul's Seminary.
It is also the headquarters for the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, a nonprofit founded in 1976 to give guidance and support for those involved in the music ministry of the Catholic Church. These include organists, pianists, choir directors, cantors, liturgists, the clergy, and other musicians such as guitarists. The national office is located in Silver Spring, Md.
There are more than 7,000 members nationwide who look to the organization for resources, educational programs and conferences, job listings, newsletters and magazines.
The Pittsburgh chapter's diocesan director of music is the Rev. James J. Chepponis. Various members from throughout Allegheny County sit on the chapter's board including Green Tree resident Kevin Maurer, formerly with St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Green Tree and now the organist and choir director at St. John Capistran Parish in Upper St. Clair. He also served for 31 years as the choral director at South Fayette High School.
In late September the chapter held its opening meeting and dinner at St. John Neumann Parish in Franklin Park.
An educational workshop on consolidating parishes and forming new team ministries is set for Nov. 16 at St. James Parish in Sewickley.
Other educational programs include a workshop on Hispanic ministry and Ritual concerns to be hosted by Sts. Simon & Jude Parish in Scott on March 7. A hymn festival in May at Assumption Parish in Bellevue will end the program year.
Charlotte Smith is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media and can be reached at 724-693-9441 or charlotte59@comcast.net.
