Remembering loved ones
Fourth annual memorial hymn sing hosted by Holy Family Parish
Sharon Iannetti organized the first annual memorial hymn sing at Holy Family Parish four years ago.
“I wanted to have something for the people that would draw us together and for me it’s the music that does that,” said the organist and choir director at the Sydney Mines church. “People of all ages from all denominations are welcome to attend.”
This year’s event takes place Sunday at 7 p.m.
When she organized the first hymn sing, Iannetti thought it would be a one-time event.
“But it’s four now and we hope to continue to hold the service each year,” she said. “The service lasts about an hour and a half. There are eight selections and people associate the person remembered with a particular song.”
Iannetti, who has 14 years experience playing at funerals, narrowed the list down to the eight most requested hymns.
“There are so many wonderful selections, but I picked the ones that seem to mean the most to people.”
The names of the deceased will be read aloud during the service before each hymn selection.
“The whole evening is cast in a spiritual sense and during the service a candle is lit in remembrance of the deceased,” said parish priest Fr. Jim Oliver. “When the service begins a silence descends upon the congregation until that first hymn. It’s the participation of the congregation in the hymns that brings alive within them the connection between their deceased relatives and friends. This allows us to go away from the service with a sense of gratitude to God and a sense of peace.”
Iannetti said most often the congregation does more singing than the choir or the special guests.
“We have flutist Richard MacAulay, vocalist Alan Gale and there will be a special number or two from the Holy Family choir,” she said. “This isn’t meant to be a sad event, but a chance to remember happy times with those who have gone from our midst. “
A light lunch will follow at the church hall.
“There are so many wonderful selections, but I picked the ones that seem to mean the most to people.” Sharon Iannetti