And I Sing Because.....

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Music and singing have especially been such vital aspects of my life. My Mom had always said that I was singing and cooing even as a baby. I grew up in a parish on the South Side of Chicago in which I sang in the choir during my youth and teen years. I then went on to sing in three choirs at Queen of Peace and the Liturgical choir at Dominican University. So, when I arrived at Whitefish Bay, I had this constant feeling of emptiness. Something was missing, but I did not know what it was. Then, I joined All Saints Church in Milwaukee, and as I attended my first Liturgy, I heard their Gospel Choir... AND I WEPT! That is what I was missing, the music! I did not realize until that moment, that music fills my soul in such an indescribable way.  I just needed to sing. That experience reminded me of one of my favorite hymnals first sung by the Gospel Queen, Mahalia Jackson, His Eye Is on the Sparrow, which says "and I sing because I'm happy, and I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

During the Advent Season, what fills your soul with joy, as we await the coming of Christ Jesus?

Megan Graves, Candidate

Whitefish Bay, WI

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