People of Faith
(Photo by Sam Lucero) Name: Terry L. Piontkowski Age: 45 Parish: St. Alphonsus, Greendale Line of work: director of music/composer Book recently read: "The Gift for All People: Thoughts on God's Great Grace" by Max Lucado Favorite movie: Anne of Green Gables Favorite Quotation: "We are a celebration of Christ in our music" -- T. Piontkowski (This is the foundation of the Lumen Christi Ministry)

The lyrics of one of Terry Piontkowski's songs proclaim, "Cry out the good news!" -- a sentiment the prolific composer/musician has taken to heart.

Piontkowski, 45, cannot remember a time when music has not held a prominent place in his life. He recalled attending church with his grandmother when he was about 5 years old. "The music just touched me. I couldn't wait to get home so I could play what I had just heard," he said.

Encouraged by his family, Piontkowski, a Michigan native, completed his musical training at Northern Michigan University in Marquette and received a certification in music and liturgy from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Ind.

In Rensselaer in the late 1980s, Piontkowski began composing with the encouragement of liturgical composer Carey Landry. "I began by writing a children's Mass, for a children's liturgy class," Piontkowski explained, "and I haven't stopped since."

While developing his repertoire as a composing artist, Piontkowski served as director of music and liturgy for parishes in Marquette, Mich., and held elementary school music teaching positions in Marquette schools. In the early 1990s, Piontkowski's compositions and his ministry of celebrating Christ's light through music took shape in a group called the Lumen Christi Ministry. "The name means 'light of Christ' and that is what we are all about," Piontkowski said.

"We work as a beacon, leading people to Christ through dynamic liturgical music." In Michigan, the group of about a dozen musicians recorded a number of collections of Piontkowski's compositions and brought their voices to several venues, including local parishes and national conventions.

"My goal has always been to create music that not only enhances the liturgy, but is really singable," Piontkowski explained. "I want people to see that you don't need a 30-or-40 voice choir to create songs of praise, songs of reflection, songs that can express prayerfulness and enrich the sacred rites of the liturgy."

Piontkowski's music has been so well received that many parishes have ordered copies of his music for Catholic worship to use in their services. His works include four collections, a Christmas album, Mass settings, and music applicable to particular liturgical seasons such as Advent or Easter.

After devoting his efforts primarily to the Lumen Christi group in the mid-'90s, Piontkowski said he felt called to parish ministry. That "nudge by God," as he called it, led him to accept a full-time position in 1996 as director of music at St. Alphonsus Parish in Greendale.

He is responsible for three weekend choirs, a 50-voice children's choir, a resurrection choir and a five-octave bell choir. "As soon as I began working here, I just got this very strong sense of family," he said. "The participation in the music at the liturgies is fantastic. It energizes me and affirms that my compositions are achieving their intended purpose. The people of the parish have really been a true inspiration."

Although Piontkowski continued his composing and publishing following his move to Wisconsin, the Lumen Christi group did not become active again until 1998. "I wanted some time to get settled in my new position," Piontkowski said, "and in 1997 I faced a health challenge." Piontkowski said surgery for a brain tumor in 1997 resulted in an extended period of rehabilitation. "It took me five weeks to learn to walk and talk again," he reported.

When he was able to work again, Piontkowski said, "I felt God was pushing my heart. It was time for me to re-establish our group." Piontkowski recruited area musicians who he felt God was calling to enrich their faith through their gift of music. Each member of the current Lumen Christi group is also an active member of the music ministry in his or her own parish, he said.

The group, which now numbers about 20, recorded a new collection of Piontkowski works entitled "Bread for the Earth," which was released in 2000. In addition to presenting concerts at parishes throughout the archdiocese, the group has performed for national and regional pastoral music conventions as well as archdiocesan functions.

A recent Piontkowski offering is a new Mass setting dedicated to the parishioners of St. Alphonsus.

Piontkowski explained that his "Festival Mass" is appropriate for all ages and was specifically designed to be singable for all congregations. In addition, a new collection of Piontkowski works, "Veni, Sancte, Spiritus," is slated for recording by the Lumen Christi group late this year with an anticipated spring 2003 release.

The Lumen Christi Ministry was incorporated as Lumen Christi Ministry, Inc., in 2001 and Piontkowski sees a bright and vibrant future. "My vision is to see Lumen Christi fulfill its full potential as a gift to the church," he said. "I would ultimately like us to be able to provide grants to students who are interested in pursuing a career path in liturgical music or composing. I would like to help provide funding so that programs like ours can reach a wider audience.

"I know I have truly been blessed by God with the gift of music," he continued. "When I am playing or writing or singing, I can feel God's presence. It is my source of inspiration. It is my source of fulfillment. My ministry involves sharing that blessing in order to enrich and enhance the lives of others."