Day 1

Liturgical musicians from Ontario and Newfoundland were in Sudbury this week. One hundred and ten participants from twelve Roman Catholic dioceses in Ontario, as well as the Anglican Diocese of Ontario the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and the Military Ordinariate of Canada are partaking in the Ontario Liturgical Conference Summer School for Musicians.

For the past two years, the local organizing committee has been preparing to welcome pastoral musicians to Greater Sudbury. Thanks to the cooperation of various sponsors, the staff at the Diocesan Centre and other individuals who have given so generously of their time, the Summer School is off to a great start.

Through a series of Keynote addresses as well as skill sessions in various disciplines and liturgical celebrations, those who take part in this Summer School will explore the importance of intergenerational prayer and worship as we unpack the theme Many Voices, One Assembly.

Pictured at right: Participants in the Music Ensemble skill session

• Photo album in preparation for the Summer School
• Photo album for Monday, August 7, 2006

Monday evening, after the celebration of Evening Prayer in Ste-Anne-des-Pins church, candidates were invited to attend an Icebreaker Social in the Notre Dame room at the Radisson Hotel. The local organizing team wishes to thank FedNor, the sponsors of this social event which allowed us to welcome all participants to Northern Ontario, and set the tone for the coming week.

Pictured at right: Participants in the Choir Directing skill session

Day 2

Tuesday dawned, a bright sunny day, and some brave delegates took advantage of the Northern Workout, which takes place every day this week in the Radisson courtyard from 6:30 to 7:00 am.

Delegates, including more than 15 teenagers, participated in Morning Prayer every morning and then took part in the Plenary Sessions, followed by two Skill Sessions. Tuesday evening afforded an opportunity for a new music repertoire reading session, where various musical selections for use in diverse liturgical celebrations were presented. We wish to thank GIA, Lumen Christi Ministry Inc. and OCP Publications for their generous support of the OLC Summer School for Musicians 2006.

• Photo album for Tuesday, August 8, 2006 (available soon)

Day 3

On Wednesday evening, following the celebration of Evening Prayer, participants were free to enjoy the sights and sounds of Sudbury. Various activities were suggested, including a visit to the IMAX cinema at Science North, and the Art Gallery of Sudbury. In addition participants were invited to take part in a drum circle, courtesy of Jeff Stewart. The Summer School organizing committee is grateful for Mr. Stewart's generosity in accepting our invitation to introduce our friends to this wonderful musical experience.

• Photo album for Wednesday, August 9, 2006 (available soon)

Day 4

His Excellency, Jean-Louis Plouffe, Bishop of Sault Ste-Marie hosted a dinner for all participants at the Summer School on Thursday evening. After supper, participants were wisked away to the Laurentian University campus where a tour of the planetarium, and the university campus was waiting.

We are grateful to all the many individuals who gave so generously of their time and talents, especially M. Paul-Emile Legault, to make this evening such a wonderful experience for our invited guests.

• Photo album for Thursday, August 10, 2006 (available soon)

Day 5

The final day of the Summer School gave us the opportunity to pray together, along with other parishioners from Ste-Anne-des-Pins and other parishes in the city.

During his homily, His Excellency Jean-Louis Plouffe thanked the Summer School participants for their presence and for sharing the gift of their music with us over the past week. "You play an integral part in the life of your faith communities," he said, "and I trust that this week has been an opportunity for you yourselves to be nourished."

The local organizing committee wishes to thank all those who participated in this year's Summer School. We trust that your experience has been enriching for you and for your ministry, and we look forward to meeting with you again in August 2007 when the Summer School will take place on London, Ontario.

• Photo album for Friday, August 11, 2006 (available soon)

More information, including the Powerpoint presentations and a discussion forum for participants is available in the OLC Summer School section of this website.

Photogrpahy credits:
Photo 1: Participants in the Music Ensemble skill session
Photo 2: Participants in the Choir Directing skill session
Photo 3: New Music Repertoire session