RETIREMENT OF DON ROE
June 2013
After 31 years of service to St. Francis Parish, the Director of Music, Don Roe, retired at the end of June. The event was marked by a special choir concert presented on Sunday, June 23 (see the News page for information on the event and there is also a gallery of photos). Several parishioners who know Don well have contributed remarks on his tenure at St. Francis. He will be missed.
From Linda Kofeldt:
Psalm 100:1 tells us to “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD.” When parishioners and visitors attend Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, they know they will hear “a joyful noise” provided by the choir under the direction of Dr. Don Roe. For thirty-one years, Don has led the choir and provided powerful piano accompaniment for their voices. Don is a particularly gifted musician who plays beautifully and has a wonderful voice. Equally important in providing music for the honor and glory of God is his love of the liturgy. Don’s selection of hymns for each Sunday throughout the liturgical year reflects the readings of the day and encourages the congregation to continue to meditate on their content. This is a wonderful gift that he offers to God.
Don is an excellent cantor, and no one who has heard him sing Schubert’s “Ave Maria” or “In Paradisum” will forget the beautiful quality of his voice. Under Don’s direction, the St. Francis Choir has sung a challenging and eclectic selection of hymns each year before midnight Mass on Christmas and presented many concerts of sacred music.
Now, after thirty-one years, Don has decided to retire from his position as Music Director at St. Francis. We wish him a happy retirement and give thanks to God for the blessing of Don’s talent and service over a lifetime. Thank you, Don, for many, many years of hard work, devotion, and beautiful music. We will miss your leadership, direction, and guidance.
”I will sing, I will sing a song unto the Lord....Alleluia, Glory to the Lord.”
From Nancy Hanna:
As a long-time choir member, I have become very aware of the time and care that Don puts into selecting the music to compliment the liturgical readings and holy day celebrations throughout the church year. He is very aware that not all of his selections will please all of the parishioners! That is the nature of the music director’s position, and Don has fielded both complaints and compliments with graciousness.
He has worked alongside Fr. Abe, Fr. Jerry, Fr. Burt, and Fr. Joe to enrich worship at St. Francis, responsive to each pastor’s vision of the role that music plays in our liturgies. Visitors traveling through Staunton and visiting priests and bishops have expressed their appreciation for the level of musicianship we have at our parish. I hope that parishioners who haven’t had a chance to thank Don will let him know how much he is appreciated and how much he will be missed!
From Jan Mangun:
While I have known Don and his musical talents for a long time, I have only recently had the honor and pleasure of experiencing those talents in a very personal way. After years of being a lector and commentator, I decided to join the talented voices of the choir for the Christmas program. I was extremely apprehensive about this because my singing abilities do not come close to that of those who are choir regulars. However, Don made me feel welcome and was always appreciative and supportive of my contribution, no matter how small. I found that the experience took me to a new level—both musically and spiritually—and so continued to join the Christmas choir for the past 4-5 years. Thank you, Don, for your patience and perseverance. You have brought such wonderful music to St. Francis over the past 30 years, and we are all spiritually blessed to have enjoyed your talents and gifts during this time.
From Lorraine Petty:
I have been been attending St. Francis parish for almost 20 years, well about half my life now! Throughout that time, I have had many adventures and have been to many different churches along the way. The one thing I always loved when I came back to Staunton was seeing Don up at the keyboard and knowing I could always count on his beautiful singing to keep me grounded in my home parish. I especially loved hearing Don sing the responsorial psalms. When I went away to college and came back for visits, when I moved away and came back for visits, and even when I hobbled into church with my walker after my traumatic car accident...Don’s singing always always lifted me up and made me feel like I was home! Back when I first moved to Staunton, I joined the choir and that is what really gave me identity in a new place. I have so many good memories of singing in choir with Don and Connie. I have wonderful, lasting friendships from that time.
Thank you, Don, for your many years of glory and praise you have given to God and to St. Francis. Everyone knows when you sing, you pray twice. That is why I will miss you so much because it is more like you have have given double 31 years to us! Enjoy your well deserved retirement!
From Sabrina Chester, the inscription on a book of tributes and thanks to be presented to Don:
The music of St. Francis under your direction has touched people in ways that you may not realize. We thank you for sharing your God-given musical gifts and talents with our church, and we wish you many blessings in the future!