Church Rocks - Picture of my band performing

Rock of Faith in action. I'm trying to hide behind a music stand and a microphone - as usual!

For a larger image, go to http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=5447028&id=153490202336&fbid=437558402336

Rock of Faith August 27 concert: I can only imagine

One of the songs we're thinking of performing.

Rock of Faith, okay, but ...

We played for the Mass today. It went well - though I messed up some chords. Argh. Practice.

With Lent coming, we have to change some of the songs. We are playing February 28. One of the songs we will do that day is Matt Maher's "40 Days."

God of Wonders

One of the songs we did Saturday for the Youth Mass. (Obviously this is not Rock of Faith performing it!) This is one of our favorite songs to play. We'll be doing it again this Sunday.

Group Youth Gathering - Rock of Faith

Our parish hosted a youth night for the parishes of the Gates/Chili Planning Group. Teens from five parishes were there for the 4:30 Mass - along with many of the 4:30 regulars. A packed church. It was interesting actually seeing people standing along the walls - I haven't seen that since the Corpus Christi days (pre-schism).

Rock of Faith was asked to lead the music. Since our young guitarist left, I'm the lone guitarist. And our keyboard player, Bernie, was out of town. So I was the main melody instrument (accompanied by bass, drums, and occasional lead guitar/saxophone/flute). Moreover, with the new sound system, the guitar could really be heard.

I was nervous. I prefer to hang back, to let better musicians stand out. And last night I could hear every miscue on my part.

Still, overall it seemed to go well. But I was not out in the pews to really hear.

People were singing along - I could see that. And there was lots of smiling. My wife reported some of the older folks (the regular 4:30 crowd) around her seemed to like the music.

Plus, people could see Father Steve CELEBRATE - and not just mouth/rush through - the Mass. When he consecrates you get the sense that it is a profound spiritual moment, not just something he's reading or reciting by rote.

It was a joyful service. Perhaps that will help some young people to see the beauty of the Mass.

Next week, Bernie is back. Phew.

40 Days (Matt Maher)

The recessional song for Rock of Faith for this coming Sunday's 9 a.m. Mass - "40 Days" by Matt Maher.

Rock of Faith - Give us Clean Hands

One of the songs Rock of Faith will be doing at the March 1 Mass. (This is Chris Tomlin's version of Charlie Hall's "Give us Clean Hands".)

Rock of Faith - a fan!

Rock of Faith played today. After Mass as we were tearing down, I overheard two people talking, and one said with obvious pleasure, "That music, it just gets you moving."

Hopefully, we were able to move more people, and that some were moved spiritually.

Father did a good job in his homily of focusing on St. Paul, reminding us that Christ is the head, we are the body, and we are called to act and live out Christ's message in the world.

Rock of Faith

Here's the logo of our group, Rock of Faith (off the cover of the program from last night's Mass).

It was our third Mass. We also debuted my original song, "Proclaim to the Nations."

It went well - except for the string I broke on one song! We're getting a better feel for the sound system at the church, and the vocals are getting stronger and more confident.

I'm now working on a second song.