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Ensemble musicians give back to retreat ministry
archived from: 2010-02-08
by: John Franko

Group makes a joyful noise at weekend Masses

A music ensemble of about a dozen members is enhancing the weekend retreat experience at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center on Pittsburgh’s South Side.

The ensemble, led by Henry Caruso, music director for the center, performs at Saturday and Sunday morning Masses during the retreat season, which runs from September through June.

“God has been good to me, and I wanted to give back what he gave me,” said Bob D’Amico of St. Athanasius in West View, who plays the guitar during the Saturday liturgies.

Other instruments include a piccolo and keyboards. Bongo drums and tambourines are also featured.

Lou Cosentino of St. Winifred in Mount Lebanon was attending a married couples retreat when he met Caruso.

“He asked me what I was doing on Saturday morning and here I am,” said Cosentino, who plays the guitar.

Caruso reminds retreat participants that since Vatican II the faithful are not spectators at Mass and they must immerse themselves in it. Music is the perfect avenue to do so.

“We need to be as consciously and actively participating as we possibly can,” he said.

The ensemble and the music ministry for the retreat program follows a theme from Psalm 100: “Make a joyful noise.”

Caruso chose the theme, he noted, because music can sometimes be intimidating, and people must realize that whatever they bring musically is loved by the Lord.

He said retreatants have expressed how the music has affected them, whether it be instrumental, reflective or meditative.

Caruso described the ensemble’s music as being “somewhat eclectic.” It is not a contemporary music ensemble, he said, because it combines traditional songs such as “Hail Holy Queen,” “Immaculate Mary” and “Now Thank We All Our God” with music by Bernadette Farrell and Dan Schutte.

“It’s a mix,” he said. “In one Mass one might find what you could call a traditional piece of music and in the same liturgy we could do something that sounds like Jimmy Buffett. Whatever we think is musically sound and has a message.”

Louise Chuha of Good Shepherd in Braddock has been a vocalist for the ensemble for more than three years. Though blind, she reads the lyrics in Braille with her dog Dylan at her side.

“The Lord says to share your gifts and I do,” she said.

Guitarist Joe Balestreire of Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield neighborhood is one of the Sunday musicians. He pointed out that the group feeds off the retreatants.

“When they sing out it makes us want to be more musically productive,” he said. “The energy goes both ways.”

The ensemble includes Caruso’s wife, Christine, and his daughter, Lori. The Carusos operate a music store and rental center in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood.

“The people who come on the retreats — it’s a wall of response,” Christine said. “They are such participants in the Mass. We really feel that.” Added Larry Kichta of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Pleasant Hills: “They end up ministering to us.”

The ensemble meets for rehearsals every other Tuesday. Caruso noted the bond that has formed among the members and spoke of the picnics, social gatherings and occasional dinners that are held.

“It is a family feel,” he said. “We all do care about one another.”

Those interested in joining the ensemble should contact Caruso at the retreat center at 412-381-7676.

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