Thankful To Have Had This Borrowed Time…

Thankful To Have Had This Borrowed Time…

In the fall of 2018, when the search committee and I agreed to hire Jillian Carelli for music ministry at St. Mary, we thought she might only stay for two years. At the time, Jillian was a young prodigy, still in college with plans to continue pursuing her music career in higher studies most likely out of state.  She was accepted into a graduate program in New York City, but she initially deferred and eventually relinquished that invitation – in part because of the pandemic, but also because she had truly become part of our collaborative parishes. Instead, she doubled down on her involvement here, taking on a second part time position as our Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth, becoming a valued member of the Pastor’s Leadership Team, and volunteer involvement as co-chair of our Sunday Experience Team.

As much as I would love to keep her here, it is now time for Jillian to resume a more focused program to continue developing her exceptional, God-given gifts in music. By the end of June, Jillian will complete her extended time with us as St. Mary Director of Music Ministries and Coordinator of Faith Formation for Youth in both parishes. I have always assured her that we would support the fostering her musical career, even though eventually that would mean a loss for us. We are planning an opportunity in June to honor Jillian and her ministry here with us.

Thankfully we still have Jillian with us for Holy Week, Confirmations, and through the end of the ministry year. Likewise, our collaborative will continue to benefit from the dedicated ministry and musical gifts of our two long-term Music Directors, Anne DiSanto and Jeff Johnson. As of now, I intend to use our Easter bulletin to formally announce the two open positions (Music Director at St. Mary and FF/Youth), but please start thinking about anyone you know that might be a good fit.