By Alice Huth-Derrah
Father Williams Abba, St. Elizabeth Seton’s (SES) Parochial Administrator, offered a relevant reminder in his welcoming comments to those present at the Christmas cantata. During the Advent season “We are invited to step out of the rush of our world and into a period of devout and expectant delight.” The magical Christmas cantata titled “We Are Blessed”, performed on December 14 at the parish, helped attendees do just that.
Dedicated to Father Williams in honor of his 30th anniversary of being ordained a priest, the cantata begins with “the story of how Jesus was born” according to the Gospel of Luke. As portrayed by Deacon Sal Lema, sharing Luke’s readings at the ambo complete with quill in hand, “Luke” writes “to Theophilus” as “a lover of God.” And so, the story begins to unfold, through the interchange of exquisite songs and Gospel readings conveying the good news – with His coming Jesus brings “salvation to the whole world, especially women, the poor and the marginalized.”
Much of the script and songs performed were “originally conceived by” Holly M. Laskey and Lance Laskey. The songs “Make Ready”, “My Soul Exalts the Lord”, “Blessed Be the Lord”, “Glory to God”, “Call His Name Jesus”, and the theme and title of the cantata “We Are Blessed” were all written by Holly as work she completed for her “Master’s thesis while attending San Jose State University.” SES was privileged to welcome Holly for the performance of the cantata which featured so much of her brilliant work.
The cantata, also “supplemented with music from other composers”, was beautifully staged under the skilled leadership of Steve Raml, the Liturgy and Music Director at SES. It included the angelic voices of the “combined choirs of SES” and were accompanied by the talents of musicians playing the piano/organ, flutes, cello, guitar, bass and percussion. Many of the lyrics were masterfully rendered as solos and duets. In the opening song “Come to Us, Emmanuel” the message of hope and longing for the Messiah’s presence was beautifully captured by Ann Marie Carlson’s performance. Later, “Luke” describes the celebratory news that Elizabeth and Mary are each with child. The uplifting song “To My Surprise”, a wonderful duet by Nancy Kullos and Peggy Baumgardt, artfully underscored the significance of these events, the “fulfillment of prophecy.”
As “Luke” comes to the end of his account about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, he declares “We are so blessed” at Christ’s entrance into the world, a message echoed in the title song “We Are Blessed” and adeptly performed by soloist Rich Miller. In “Luke’s” final soliloquy, he once again fervently emphasizes to Theophilus the splendor that Christ’s coming affords all believers, the promise of forgiveness and eternal life. “Luke” proclaims “As I reflect on those past events…I firmly believe that the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, shows how God’s promises to Israel have been fulfilled and how salvation has been extended.”
At the conclusion of the cantata Steve and the choir members received a standing ovation — and rightly so! Their exceptional performance was a rich and joy-filled celebration of the Advent season, a lovely reminder that the faithful “are blessed” with the assurance that Christ’s presence in their lives offers redemption and comfort. Christ IS the Savior of all people.
