Online concert series supports mission dioceses

Friday, May. 08, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY — As people everywhere have been burdened by the struggles, uncertainty and heartache associated with the global pandemic, Catholic Extension, long known for its support of mission dioceses such as the Diocese of Salt Lake City, sought a way to provide comfort and hope to U.S. Catholics.

On March 31, it launched Songs in Solidarity, an online concert series to support and recognize poor faith communities across the country. Twice a week, usually Tuesdays and Sundays, Catholic Extension hosts a watch party of livestreamed concerts on its website and Facebook page from various artists in mission dioceses across the United States. Those performances are then recorded and made available on the organization’s website, https://catholicextension.org/stories/concert.

The concerts are performed by artists of various genres from mission dioceses who have donated their efforts to the cause. 

The line-up has included Father Norman Fischer and Christie Pabin from the Diocese of Lexington, Ky.; Palm Sunday singers from various dioceses; and Mariachi Nuevo Santande, a national champion mariachi band from Roma High School in Roma, Texas, who all performed from their homes. The first artist, Jossie Santiago, has had more than 15,000 views of his performance. 

The most recent group, SkaAmen from the diocese of Stockton, Calif. performed May 3. (Ska is a musical form that combines elements of Caribbean music with American jazz and rhythm and blues). 

“We have had a great response,” said Veronica Avila, Catholic Extension manager of mission programs. The concert series “came about as a response to the current need, the closure of many parishes, especially in the poorest communities around the nation. We saw that people were craving contact and we found a creative way to help lift their spirits through a variety of musical performances by artists.

“We’ve been able to put out music that’s uplifting, that has positive messaging – messages of hope and solidarity – and it comes in different forms, so it serves the purpose of uplifting the spirit and accompanying the parishioners out there,” Avila said.

“These artists have joined us with such a great spirit of solidarity of being there and supporting one another,” she added.

Upcoming lineups include David McHugh and Noelle Garcia from the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Mr. Serious, a rapper from the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark. Avila said Catholic Extension hopes to continue the concert series on an ongoing basis.

The concert series also serves a fundraising purpose.  Those who view the concerts are invited to make a financial donation if they are able. Those funds will be used to help mission dioceses that already operate on limited budgets and have been adversely impacted by the lack of collections due to the suspension of Masses. Catholic Extension will adapt its giving to the current need, Avila said.

Catholic Extension has been a major contributor to the Diocese of Salt Lake City, according to Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus, who has been a member of the Catholic Extension mission commission for many years.

“I have participated for many years in the wonderful gifts that Extension services provides to the Diocese of Salt Lake City,” he said. “I know, from both my experience in Utah and my national experience, that Catholic Extension is constantly looking for ways to enhance the life of Catholics in the mission dioceses. This new endeavor is one more opportunity for people to provide support for the great work that Extension does.”

Most churches in Utah have plaques indicating generous gifts from Catholic Extension, Msgr. Fitzgerald added. “A number of our churches and rectories were built with money from Catholic Extension, and Extension continues to provide money towards the leadership competency of our people.”

Catholic Extension is seeking artists willing to participate in the Songs in Solidarity concert series. For information, contact Veronica Avila, vavila@catholicextension.org.