SACRED MUSIC AT ST. MONICA
The Ministry of Sacred Music at St. Monica’s strives to provide beautiful music that is fitting for and uplifting to the liturgy. The ministry consists of the 10:00am Choir along with trained volunteer cantors who sing at the 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass.
The Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00-8:30pm with once-a-month fellowship after rehearsal, getting together over light food and drinks and good company! The Choir sings repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant, to traditional Classical anthems, to anthems from composers of the 21st century.
ALL ARE WELCOME! Beginners and those with no experience will gain basic music skills while having fun with good company!
About the Music Director
Mary Joy Nolan, a native of California, graduated Summa cum Laude in 2017 from Ave Maria University, FL, with a Bachelor of Arts in Organ and Sacred Music. In 2020 she graduated with a Masters of Music degree in organ performance from Rice University under the tutelage of Ken Cowan.
Having grown up singing in several choirs and playing organ for the Mass, Mary Joy served as the music director of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Lehigh Acres, FL in 2016-17. Her other positions during her years in school were organ scholar at First Presbyterian Church of Naples, organist at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Florida, organ scholar at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Houston, and organ scholar at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. She served as the music associate of Christ the King Lutheran and Bach Society Houston from 2019-2021. Shortly afterwards, she married her husband and is grateful to now serve as the music director and principal organist of Sacred Music at St. Monica’s.
Mary Joy has a passion for church music and the liturgy, performing chamber music, singing in choir, and teaching piano and organ lessons to younger and older students. Outside of music, she enjoys daily exercise, knitting and crocheting, and playing board games with friends.
Interested in joining the Choir?
Please email the music director, Mary Joy Nolan, for more info and other questions.