A Very Marian Advent Prayer Service December 15 Star of the Sea-SF

December 15 4 pm. A Very Marian Advent Prayer Service

Join Archbishop Cordileone and a superb choir conducted by maestro Timothy McDonnell, as we wait with Mary through that challenging last month for the birth of her Son and Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tickets are not required but registering helps us plan for the reception afterward. And if you cannot be in San Francisco at Star of the Sea parish on December 15, register to receive the recording after. Your gifts of time, treasure and prayers are appreciated and all help us sustain this vibrant apostalate.

The Very Marian Advent Prayer Service is a "lessons and carols" type worship format that features two world premiere's of two new Christmas/Advent carols commissioned by Archbishop Cordileone through the Benedict XVI Institute:

"While All the Earth in Darkness Sleeps"

Frank La Rocca and James Matthew Wilson, our composer and poet-in-residence respectively, team up to create a gorgeous new setting of the 6th century Akathist Hymn (still widely chanted in Eastern Orthodoxy, but less well-known to Roman Catholics). Hear Mary's lovely ancient titles in a new musical setting.

"Our Lady's Lullaby"

Fr. Dwight Longenecker has put new words to a traditional Welsh lullaby Suo Gân (perhaps best known for its recent appearance in the Disney film Empire of the Son. Catholic composer William J. Fritz has composed the new arrangement. (Visit CyprianStudios to learn more about Will Fritz).

Two new hymns commissioned for last year's Very Marian Advent Prayer Service will be sung again:

"Chesterton's Carol"by Mark Nowakowski has become an instant Christmas classic, gaining over 22,000 YouTube views. He is perhaps best-known for composing the score for the Mass of the Ages films. To learn more about Mark Nowakowski's work visit his website.

"Our Lady Expectant" is based on a poem by Roseanne T. Sullivan and set to music by Wilhelmina Pariseau. The hymn uses the language from the O Antiphons to express Mary's longing to see her child and Savior. This hymn is available for use both in concert version and in a simpler form suitable for parishes. Visit Mina Pariseau's website for more information.

Christmas is coming! Let us prepare this Advent for the coming of Our Savior with Archbishop Cordileone and a superb choir conducted by maestro Timothy McDonnell with two world premiers and hymns by Victoria, Palestrina, Sweelinck, Handl and more.

Join us at 4 pm Pacific, with a reception to follow at 5:15 pm in the Star of the Sea Auditorium. The event is free, your registration helps us plan for the reception (and make sure you get invited back next year). Your gifts help us make this beautiful event possible.

About Conductor Timothy McDonnell

Conductor, Timothy McDonnell is the Director of Sacred Music at Hillsdale College, where he leads the Chapel Choir and oversees the Choral Scholars program. Dr. McDonnell previously led the graduate program in Sacred Music at The Catholic University of America. From 2008 to 2015, McDonnell was the Director of Choral Activities at Ave Maria University. Dr. McDonnell has also held an appointment at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City as the master of the music chapel.

Dr. McDonnell has worked with several professional ensembles, including as harpsichordist for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, orchestra assistant at Opera Philadelphia, conductor of the Symphonic Chorus of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and founder of The Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida (now Choral Artistry). McDonnell has been guest conductor with the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra (MD), the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Naples Philharmonic.

Dr. McDonnell is active as a composer and arranger. His work has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, The Kennett Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of Flanders. He has also been on the conducting faculty with the Catholic Sacred Music Project, where he collaborated with Sir James MacMillan in 2021 and Martin Baker in 2022 and the Church Music Association of America.

Host or Publisher Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music & Divine Worship