| , a liturgical & concert group
from the Newman Catholic Student Center in Iowa City, Iowa, have toured the country
for the past fifteen years, building a reputation for leadership in contemporary
liturgical & inspirational music. They have appeared at churches, schools,
and conventions, presenting concerts, giving workshops on liturgical music, youth
ministry and youth choirs, and leading congregations in liturgy. Their ten recorded
collections of liturgical music, written by their founder and director, Joe Mattingly,
are used in parishes, schools and institutions throughout the country. Their mission
is to spread the gospel with spirit and music.
According to Fr. Virgil Funk, founder of the National Association of Pastoral
Musicians, "The Newman Singers are a musical group who reflect the very best
in American spirituality for young adults. They have sung at our national meeting
and always reflect a deep prayerfulness as well as the enthusiasm of youth. Mattingly
is one of the most successful musicians working with young adults in the United
States."
Fr. Richard Fragomeni, professor of theology at the Catholic Theological Union
in Chicago, says that "The Newman Singers, under the able leadership of Joe
Mattingly, are a rich example of what a choir can be in the renewed liturgy, as
it helps an assembly to enter more deeply into full, active, and conscious participation."
The Director of the Newman Center, Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick, notes how vital music
is to the faith life of young people: "The Newman Singers get their strength
and unity from their grounding at the Center. This enables them to minister through
music to themselves, the Newman Center, and to all they encounter on their tours.
Their commitment, enthusiasm, joy, and faith touches and deepens the faith of
those who worship with them."
Throughout the past fifteen years the Newman Singers have
led congregations and audiences across the country in worship, inspired them in
concert, and enriched the faith life of all they have ministered to with their
music. In the words of those who have heard them, "The Newman Singers presentations
are an experience that touch people to their very souls."
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| "And then I heard you sing and I have never
heard anything so heavenly in my life. You made me laugh, you made me cry, and
you made me believe. I had to be part of this group!" |
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| "I asked God for help in
finding a group of friends I can celebrate my faith with and God led me straight
to the Newman Singers." |
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| "As a member of the Newman
Singers I have established, through music, a powerful connection with God, replacing
what was once only a weak link. I have built amazing life-long relationships,
not only with other Newman Singers, but with people all around the country. And
I have learned that with God's help, we all have the potential to put a smile
on a sad, lonely, or hopeless face." |
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