Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Catherine Hand
Mrs. Townsend
27 February 2017
Having been given the opportunity to play the piano for masses since I was 10 has
definitely shaped my faith and my sense of community. When I was 10, I was allowed to play
one or two songs for Sunday masses for two parishes. As I gained more experience and became
more accustomed to the style of accompaniment music, I began to play piano for entire masses at
the age of 13 at St. Peter Chanel church in Hawaiian Gardens. I would usually accompany the
choir in the small church, but I have been invited to play in the main church many times.
Since our choir is small, it is nice because it is similar to the Connelly community, which
is like having a close knit family. I feel as if playing the piano has brought me closer to God, as
music is a form of prayer, and I enjoy music, whether I am playing it, or listening to it. I believe
that this form of prayer gives people more chances to participate in the mass and grow deeper in
faith and learn to love the church and appreciate the small, yet strong sense of community and
The skills that I use to accompany the choir's singing every Sunday morning have taught
me how to improve my overall piano playing skills such as recognizing certain chords and keys.
I have only played classical music, and have been playing classical music since I was 3, so
roughly around 12 years total. This experience impacted me in ways stronger than I could
imagine.
Hand 2
After my father's death, all I wanted was to curl up on my bed and do nothing. However, I
decided to go back to playing the piano for church, as I believe that is what my dad would have
wanted me to do. By choosing to go back, I was able to break out of my desire to do nothing and
was able to be more productive, which also pushed me to not give up in school. Every time I go
to mass, I offer up the songs for my family as well as all the souls in Purgatory. After some
masses, people would come to thank the choir for singing, which made me realize how important
music is to some. After I graduate, I will not be able to play piano for St. Peter Chanel
specifically, but I would volunteer for churches near the college of my choice, if they need a