Dear Friends,

Cantores in Ecclesia has much to be thankful for this past year. Our Holy Week performance of James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross in March was the first concert by the choir since 2019. We were blessed to have our friend David Hill skillfully guide us through MacMillan’s masterpiece, and the concert was a deeply moving experience I will never forget. In August, Mark Williams was with us for the return of the William Byrd Festival. After a time of limited activity, the youth choir is back to singing monthly at Holy Rosary, and seeing its membership grow. Additionally, the adult choir has continued to provide music for services at Holy Rosary and St. Agatha’s. I am grateful to the friars and staff of Holy Rosary Church for helping us navigate a difficult and uncertain time. Without this support Cantores may not have survived.
 
Cantores is currently in the midst of several significant transitions. As many of you know, Dean Applegate retired from his position as director of the William Byrd Festival. Magdalene Morris, who has sung in the choir since its founding in 1983 and served as the choir’s board treasurer for over 20 years, will also be stepping down from this role at the end of this year. We are grateful to Maggie for all she has done for Cantores. A special event in the new year will honor her for her unwavering dedication all these years.
 
Looking ahead, 2023 will mark the 40th Anniversary of the founding of Cantores. The journey began in 1983 on the Feast of Corpus Christi at St. Patrick’s Church in NW Portland. The new year will also mark the 400th anniversary of William Byrd’s death. The Byrd Festival (Aug. 5th-20th) will feature special events to celebrate this milestone.
 
The ongoing generosity of our supporters and friends have sustained Cantores for the last four decades and through many ups and downs. As we look to the future, please consider a Christmas gift to the choir this year to ensure that the Cantores continues its mission. A donation in any amount is deeply appreciated and will greatly help us during this time of transition.  All gifts are tax deductible and donations can be mailed or made online HERE.
 
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and an abundance of blessings in the coming year.
 
Blake

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Vigil Mass
Saturday, December 17, 5 PM


Gregorian Chant Proper & Ordinary

St. Agatha Catholic Church
1430 SE Nehalem St, Portland, OR

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Christmas Eve

Blessing of the Crib & Carol Concert
Saturday, December 24, 11:30 PM

Midnight Mass
Sunday, December 25, 12 AM
Mozart Missa Brevis in F Major
Traditional carols

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25, 11 AM
Polyphonic Proper from William Byrd’s Gradualia

Holy Rosary Catholic Church
375 NE Clackamas Street, Portland, OR

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Feast of the Epiphany

Friday, January 6, 11 AM
Victoria Missa O Magnum Mysterium

Holy Rosary Catholic Church
375 NE Clackamas Street, Portland, OR