St. Nicholas' Choir from Millville, NJ Visited St. Stephen Parish
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On Sunday, January 21st 2006, Fr. Ivan Turyk, pastor of St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ, invited the choir from St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Millville, NJ to sing responses at the Sunday Liturgy at St. Stephen’s. Fr. Turyk is administrator for both churches.
St. Nicholas choir director, Adele Commander, has been the choir leader for 30 years. Although she is 100% Irish, she married Ukrainian Paul Commander of Millville, NJ. She fell in love with the Ukrainian Culture and the Eastern Rite Liturgical Music and became choir director after singing with the choir for about 10 years. Many young people sing with the choir because Mrs. Commander encourages little children to sign with the choir, even if they sing “off-key” at first. Although Paul is now deceased, their children Cindy and Peter, as well as her grandsons Peter Jr. and Billy all sing in the choir. Adele also sings with the Cumberland County College Choral Group.
Fr. Turyk said that when one dies he will hear the Angels in Heaven sing, and that St. Nicholas Choir surely sounds like the Angels in Heaven!
Mrs. Commander led the choir to sing many of the Ukrainian Christmas Carols before liturgy, during communion, and at the end of mass. Fr. Ivan said he was not homesick for Ukraine this Christmas because he heard the beautiful, traditional carols sung by the St. Nicholas Church’s choir.
St. Stephen’s Church was full and the choir was warmly received. St. Stephen’s parishioners were very surprised that the majority of the choir members could not speak Ukrainian yet they learned the words of the music. Fr. Turyk said that goes to Adele Commander who also leads the choir for English liturgies. A reception for the choir and parishioners was held after the service giving everyone from both churches the opportunity to socialize.
From Fr. Turyk:
The singing of choir from St. Nicholas parish at the Divine Liturgy in Toms River was enjoyed by all and greatly enhanced the festive atmosphere at the event. You guys were fabulous! Many people told me that they had goose bumps! St. Nicholas' parish is truly lucky to have this choir! Thanks to our choir director Adele Commander and all of you for your time and your efforts to spread the word of God through singing. I wanted to remind you all how special you are and what a blessing you all have been to me. Continue to trust in the Lord and grow in his grace. I am sure that God will continue to bless this choir and all that is done for him through you.