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April 27, 2006
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Roxology hopes music
will connect with young adults |
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Musicians want to ‘energize’ 15-21-year-olds at Mass |
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Gordon Russell, Rita Chase, Ann Marie Yorgensen and Jeff Jachowicz, members of the Christian band Roxology, rehearse at St. Mary Church in Kenosha March 20. (Catholic Herald photo by Sam Lucero) |
KENOSHA — Roxology is six people with two things in common: an intense love for Christ and a Spirit-filled musical talent. Together they minister and make music, spreading the Good News.
Kenosha natives Gordon “Gord” Russell and Jeff Jachowicz started Roxology about two years ago after their former pastor at St. Mary in Kenosha, Fr. Oriol Regales, approached Russell to bring in some new music geared for the parish’s youth group.
“He found out about my musical background from our choir director, Theresa Setter,” Russell said. “My background in music is mostly rock, having played with Mike Reno of Loverboy, and toured with many famous bands up in Canada, starting in the ‘70s.”
Russell’s interest in Christian Rock piqued after his wife began playing Point of Grace, Mark Schultz, and Michael W. Smith music in their home.
“Then we discovered much more as we tuned to the Christian stations and found a huge following of young people,” Russell said. “I was drawn to it because not only was the music itself good quality and covered every genre, but it had good things to say, influencing younger people in positive ways.”
Russell and Jachowicz brainstormed an idea to begin a musical group geared to the 15-21-year-olds in the parish.
“Our goal was to revitalize this age group by offering a different and, hopefully, welcome form of music ministry,” said Jachowicz, who does vocals, and plays bass and percussion. “The two of us had frequent discussions regarding our belief that the Catholic faith had too many of this age group “fall away” from participating in the Mass after being confirmed or going to college.”
The pair believed the loss in youthful presence was directly related to the inability of certain aspects of the Mass to connect with the youth and allow them to participate in liturgy in a new and exciting way.
“We both felt music ministry was the key component in doing this,” Jachowicz said. “We both felt strongly about developing a group that might keep the youth energized about the liturgy, and subsequently keep them participating in the Mass.”
With the blessing of the parish’s prayer and worship committee, Russell and Jachowicz focused on each other’s strengths, music and liturgy, and teamed up with a few musicians.
Besides Russell and Jachowicz, original members of Roxology, which was named for the Doxology part of the Mass, are Al Bertog (piano, keyboards), Ann Marie Yorgensen (vocals, keyboards), Rita Chase (vocals), Paul Griffin (percussion). Dino Laurenzi recently joined the group on keyboards, replacing Bertog.
“We held our first Mass in a small basement-like youth room at St. Mary,” Jachowicz said, joking, “I recall likening it to the early Beatles playing at the ‘Cavern’ in Hamburg! From there, we had some musicians come and go — and even better, some actually stayed.”
Unlike their non-denominational Christian counterparts, bringing contemporary Christian music into the Catholic Mass twice a month was a bit of adjustment for some members of St. Mary’s.
“We do get mixed reactions to our band in church,” said Russell, who does vocals and plays guitar and bass. “Most of the people that don’t like it are older, have never seen a rock band perform and probably think it is too loud; and we have heard that some feel it doesn’t belong in the church. But then there’s the crowd that absolutely loves it, some are younger and some are in their 70s and believe it is the greatest thing to happen in the church.”
By sharing their faith through their music ministry, Russell has observed a transformation in the manner in which the youth celebrate and participate in Mass.
“We have helped to increase a charismatic feel to our Masses, and we have many praying in song, arms in the air and with their eyes closed,” he said. “This is important to us because you know that the connection to prayer and God is being made.”
Jachowicz agreed, noting that they have planted a seed. In addition to performing at St. Mary’s, Roxology has also performed at St. Therese in Kenosha and Siebert Chapel at Carthage College.
“We know we are not for everyone, but we are encouraged by the positive response received from the parishioners of St. Mary’s, St. Therese, the young and the ‘young at heart’ alike,” he said.
Members of the band see their music primarily as an occasion to share their spiritual gifts while ministering to others. A common thread among them is that they have been called by Christ to share their gifts for the good of the Church.
For Laurenzi, First Corinthians Chapter 12 is important as he learned through sharing God’s gift of music he is helping to build the body of Christ.
“Music has helped me discover God’s will in my life and to share this special gift with others,” he said. “As Catholics, there are so many wonderful ministries we can participate in to make the church a better place — to glorify God our heavenly Father. Our spiritual gifts were not given for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. God wants us to develop our spiritual gifts for the good of all.”
Yorgensen appreciates the opportunity to spread God’s word through music.
“I definitely feel we are making an impact on the youth and even the general population in attendance at Mass,” she said. “Our goal is to try to reach those that may feel more inspired by this genre of church music... We will continue to strive to minister through our prayerful, but energetic music to the best of our abilities.”
Although Chase has had some health issues which forced her to back off on some commitments last year, she is grateful to have resumed her singing with Roxology.
“My God-given talent is to sing and it is something that I really love to do, plus all of the people in our group really love what we do and get along so well, and respect each other,” she said.
For Griffin, a long-time musician, God breathed into his soul and ministered to his heart in a way that changed his life and fulfilled his longing to become more involved with church.
“As a free-lance musician, I not only loved making music, but also making money while I was performing,” he said. “But now I have a different perspective. I have God-given talents that I can share for the fellowship of others. There is a whole new world of inspirational music out there that I never paid attention to. I finally feel like a whole person by sharing my gift. I have gained new friends through the experience, and I continue to grow personally, musically and spiritually.”
The band has recently released “The Way,” its first CD which includes five popular Christian songs as well as seven of the band’s originals.
“It was kind of difficult to make the first CD due to time constraints, since we are all working adults, had limited recording equipment, and the need to do it on a very low budget,” Russell admitted. “We don’t know how long this effort will last or where it will take us, but we hope that eventually, when we get too old, that members will gradually change and keep the group and its mission going.”
Jachowicz compares the band’s ministry to that with the Masters bags of gold in Matthew 25.
“We are taking the ‘talents’ and not burying them in the ground, but taking a chance and spending them in our music ministry efforts,” he said. “We pray that our efforts will come back to benefit the Master many times over, as did those of the two servants.”
To purchase a CD, hear a sample of the songs,or to view the band’s performance schedule, visit <www.russellcreations.com> (847) 791-9127. The band performs an average of twice a month at St. Mary Parish, 7300 39th Ave., Kenosha. (262) 694-6018 |
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