St. Charles Borromeo introduces Mass setting in honor of 175th anniversary

PIKESVILLE – Father Miguel Angel Trinidad-Fonseca’s arrival earlier this year as associate pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Pikesville might be considered providential.

With the priest’s new parish holding special events to celebrate its 175th anniversary, Father Trinidad-Fonseca was inspired to use his skills in music composition to write a special Mass celebrating the parish’s milestone.

Father Trinidad-Fonseca sang his “St. Charles Borromeo Mass” Sept. 22 during a third and final concert in celebration of the parish’s 1848 founding. 

“I thought this was a perfect moment to share the talents God gave me to be part of this anniversary, to compose a Mass setting to be used in our parish to remember this big celebration,” said Father Trinidad-Fonseca, who also serves as associate pastor of St. Gabriel in Woodlawn. 

Father Trinidad-Fonseca, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, holds a bachelor’s degree in music composition from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in music composition with new technologies from the International University of La Rioja and a doctorate in sacred music from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Sarasota, Fla. 

As part of the Sept. 22 concert, parish musicians also presented selections of sacred music from throughout the ages. The concert featured the traditional choir, contemporary choir, a trumpeter and a selection of solos and duets.

The performance was organized and led by Homeretta Ayala and Sandy Feulner.  Ayala is the organist and traditional choir director. Feulner is the contemporary choir director and head of the liturgy committee.”

A variety of compositions were performed, including trumpet solos, Gregorian chant, African American gospel, folk music and contemporary selections. 

The concert began with a trumpet solo by Carlos Manuel Zabala to recall the time when the music was primarily led by the priests and cantors with little to no participation by the congregation.

This was followed by an organ and trumpet performance of Franz Schubert’s arrangement of “Ave Maria” (1825). 

Other numbers included “The Lord’s Prayer,” a solo performed by Beverly Williams as composed by Albert Malotte (1935), “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900, performed by soloist Michael Simples; and contemporary selections including “If God is For Us” by Jesuit Father John Foley.

“This was so much fun to go and look for music that hasn’t been done in such a long time,” Feulner said. “To bring this back so people can experience it again was so wonderful.”

Father Trinidad-Fonseca said his St. Charles Borromeo Mass features full harmonies on the organ. The Mass is also accessible to contemporary choirs and is available for guitar and bass guitar, he said.   

“The Contemporary Choir allowed us to appreciate the transition from the pre-Second Vatican Council to the post-Vatican Council where, in some cases, the guitar and the piano are played together”

The priest’s “Mass of St. Charles” will be incorporated into the liturgy beginning with Masses the weekend of Nov. 9-10 as the St. Charles Borromeo 175th anniversary year draws to a close.

Father Canisius T. Tah, pastor, said music has always been a big part of the worship experience at St. Charles Borromeo. 

“Since the Second Vatican Council, the church has emphasized the importance of music in our liturgical celebration,” he said. “Music is a vehicle to voice our emotions and prayers. Old timers and newcomers as well find consolation and comfort in this.”

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