An Enchanted Evening

June 14, 2022

We were blessed to host the One Voice Youth Choir from First Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, for a special performance in our main chapel on June 14. As the young voices filled every corner of the chapel with inspirational song, the evening sun shone through our stained-glass windows, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

As Residents were able to invite two family members to attend with them, music and togetherness made for a wonderful evening. The kids closed their concert by symbolically positioning themselves around the chapel in the shape of a collective embrace and offering a blessing over the audience. Afterwards, the young choir members lingered to mingle with our Residents.

The 42-member choir is in the midst of its annual summer mission trip. While staying at Washington & Jefferson University, they are doing mission work in the mornings and performing at various locations in the evenings. The trip to Pittsburgh and performance at Mt. Assisi Place were originally scheduled for 2020 but were postponed due to the pandemic. The choir made a point of staying in touch with Karen Vevers, our activities director, and rescheduling the date this year.

“This venue was absolutely perfect for us,” says First Baptist musical minister Ed Cleveland. “It's wonderful to meet all the people, and the kids learn from their interactions, too.”

Our Residents and their family members left the chapel enlightened and inspired by the music. Among them was Sister Karen Buco, who beamed with joy afterwards. “I felt like I was in heaven!” she exclaimed.

The evening also was particularly meaningful for Marian Hall Resident Sister Barbara Ann Lengvarsky, who was moved to tears and requested a group photo to commemorate the occasion. Prior to coming to Mt. Assisi Place, Sister served for more than 30 years in Alabama, not far from where the choir lives and worships.

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