Linda Younkin, music director at Christ the King, is assisting in coordinating the Springfield event, which is a project begun by Brother Jim Lewnard, CSV, and Daniel Horstmann. Brother Lewnard, who is a Viatorian from the United States Province headquartered in Arlington Heights, said he and Horstmann came up with the idea just last year after he preached for the missions in Iowa.
Note the Way was formed in the spring of 2013, he said, “to provide young adults who are in junior high and high school with opportunities to grow in their life of faith and their service to the Catholic Church as musicians, cantors, lectors and servants of the disadvantaged and the poor.”
Brother Lewnard and Horstmann, who is a student studying communication and music at Fairfield University in Connecticut, are co-directors of Note the Way.
Several college-age interns work on the Note the Way project, and their ministry team will be offering three retreats this summer, including the day at Christ the King. “We saw a need for young people who help at liturgies to meet one another, strengthen their vocations as music ministers and leaders of faith and explore music as a form of prayer and as something that can touch the spiritual center of our souls,” Brother Lewnard said.
“I always participate in the retreats,” said Brother Lewnard, who is well-known in the Springfield diocese as he was formerly a theology teacher at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Springfield, a pastoral musician at St. Jude Parish in Rochester and a member of the diocesan school board. “Viatorians have a strong commitment to foster faith and spiritual growth for young adults.”
Moreover, participants can expect to learn from experienced local ministers who will provide a witness talk during the retreat.
“In addition, participants can enjoy getting to know and befriend other young adults in their local diocese who share a similar passion and desire to deepen the relationship with God,” Brother Lewnard said. “Participants will take back to their home parishes the practical skills of interpreting music while remembering and reflecting on how music enhances worship and liturgy.”
However, students are welcome to participate in the retreat even if they are not presently helping or ministering at their home parish, he said.
“It is a retreat and we would especially like students in grades 7-12 to participate,” said Younkin, noting that the number of young people who participate in church choirs seems to be dwindling. “I know young people are very busy but I would love to see more of them in the choirs, participating in their parish churches. We know that we have a lot of talent in our schools.”
Cost for The Journey Retreat is $35 per person and includes lunch. Online registration forms are available at www.viatorians.com/programs/note-the-way. Forms can either be filled out on-line or paper copies can be mailed to: Brother Jim Lewnard, CSV at 1212 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Deadline for registration is July 11. For more information, email