By TAMI QUIGLEY
Staff writer
It’s been said “He who sings prays twice.” That sentiment certainly harmonizes with the ministry of Father Anthony Mongiello, pastor of St. Anne, Bethlehem, who recently completed work on a new CD recording, a collection of songs called “Fr. Anthony Mongiello Sings From the Heart, For the Soul.”
All proceeds of the CD will benefit St. Anne, where he has been pastor since 2002.
So how did Father Mongiello’s musical talent crescendo into a CD? This song – or story – can be traced back about 30 years.
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Father Mongiello recorded several albums – cassettes – with John Calvaresi and a group of musicians from St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Sinking Spring, where he was in residence while serving as guidance counselor at the former Holy Name High School, Reading. Their group was called “Friends in Faith.”
In the early 2000s Father Mongiello created two collections on CD from those early recordings and sold them as fundraisers for St. Anne. He hasn’t made any new recordings until now.
“The idea came about after I was asked to record a song that would be played as a surprise for a couple at their wedding. The recording engineer, Brendan Ruane, a parishioner of St. Anne, made the process so easy that I began thinking about making a new album,” Father Mongiello said.
“With all of the advances in technology since my last recording experience, it was a fascinating process. The CD is titled ‘From the Heart, For the Soul’ because the songs reflect my love for sacred music, which feeds the soul, as well as popular and Broadway songs that often express the longings of the heart.
“Along with Brendan Ruane’s expertise in recording and musical arrangement, I was fortunate to enlist the accompaniment of soprano vocalist and parishioner Jennifer Sherman; parish organist and music director Jane Errera; and Beverly McDevitt, organist and music director at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.”
The song list includes these sacred songs: “How Beautiful,” “O God Beyond All Praising,” “Ave Maria,” “The Prayer” and “Brother James’ Aire.”
The Broadway and show songs include: “Home” (from “The Wiz”), “Corner of the Sky” (from “Pippin”), “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” (from “The Lion King”), “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (from “Beaches”), “Over the Rainbow” (from “The Wizard of Oz”) and “If We Only Have Love” (Jacques Brel).
A Launch Party is slated for Saturday, Feb. 2 after the 4:40 p.m. Vigil Mass in the Parish Community Center, to kick off the 90th anniversary of the founding of St. Anne as well as the sale of the CD.
All CD sales proceeds will benefit the parish. CDs may be purchased any time after Feb. 2 at the rectory or ordered through the parish website, www.StAnneChurchBethlehem.org.
“The entire experience was very educational from a technological standpoint, deeply satisfying and great fun,” Father Mongiello said.
“I am grateful to God for the gift of song and the opportunity to use my voice in praise and thanksgiving for that gift.”
