Benedictines, St. Ambrose to host Dan Schutte concert, workshop April 8, 9
Dan Schutte
ROCK ISLAND — A concert by composer Dan Schutte and workshop that will focus on how music can enhance liturgy will also help the Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Mary Monastery to establish a scholarship fund at Benet House Retreat Center to serve those in need.
Partnering with them is St. Ambrose University Campus Ministry in Davenport, Iowa, which is offering Christ the King Chapel, 505 W. Locust St., for both events.
Schutte, who has written and recorded music as a member of the St. Louis Jesuits, will perform on Friday, April 8, at 7 p.m. The theme for the concert is “Here I Am, Lord: Living the Vocation of Our Baptism.”
In addition to “Here I Am, Lord,” Dan Schutte is known for such songs as “City of God” and “Sing a New Song.”
The next day, he will present a workshop on the Mass of Christ the Savior, which he wrote for the revised texts of the Roman Missal. It will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and run from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
During the workshop Schutte will talk about the process he used in composing the Mass setting and give participants ideas for how to engage the parish community more fully in singing.
The cost is $20 for the concert and $25 for the workshop or $40 for both. St. Ambrose students will be admitted at no charge and the fee for all other students is $5 with their student ID.
Schutte holds master’s degrees in theology and liturgy from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He has served as a liturgist and music director in a variety of settings and currently is composer-in-residence at the University of San Francisco.
In addition to “Here I Am, Lord,” he is known for such songs as “City of God” and “Sing a New Song.”
REACHING OUT
While St. Mary Monastery already has a grant program to help people who would like to attend retreats, the new scholarship fund would provide a day of reflection for clients of social service agencies, according to Sister Bobbi Bussan, OSB, director of Benet House.
While details are still being worked out, she envisions a day where people could come for some spiritual input, relax, enjoy the monastery grounds and have lunch.
“My community is very peace and justice centered and very involved in reaching out to the marginalized,” she told The Catholic Post. “I thought it would go with our community’s mission.”
The concert and workshop will help the Sisters of St. Benedict of St. Mary Monastery to establish a scholarship fund at Benet House Retreat Center to serve those in need.
Sister Sandra Brunenn, OSB, prioress, agreed, as did the monastic council.
Sister Bobbi has seen the need firsthand in her work with the homeless over the last 10 years. Involved in “resurrecting” transitional housing for women and children in the area, she has connected with social action agencies and belongs to the Quad Cities Housing Council.
When she broached the idea of a day of reflection for their clients, the social service agencies were in favor of it.
“The agencies don’t have the funds to do this,” Sister Bobbi said.
In addition to providing this “gift” for the community at large, the Benedictines hope to make it clear that Benet House is a place for all people and not just those who can afford to come, she explained.
She would like to offer a “signature event” every other year, to enable them to continue their outreach to those in need.
For tickets to Schutte’s concert or workshop — or both — call (309) 283-2108, send email to retreats@smmsisters.org, or visit smmsisters.org/tickets.
