Today's episode honors the many mothers that serve in the Church today. The women of this association lead in their churches, their communities, and their families, in whatever shape that takes. It is a true honor to take this week’s episode and celebrate the women of NPM, and the mothering role that so many of you take. Maybe you are a mother of your own children, or you offer a mothering role to those around you. Maybe you serve the church in religious life. Whatever it is, we so celebrate you today for Mother’s Day, and we thank you for the presence of Christ that you bring to all of us every day.
Today on the podcast I speak with Meredith Augustin and Lorraine Hess.
Meredith Augustin is the Director of Music at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in midtown Manhattan. Meredith is also collaborated with musicians all over the world and has released four solo records, appealing to fans of all genres, particularly jazz, world, and Christian music, and most importantly, the mother of two.
Lorraine Hess is a Catholic singer, songwriter, music minister, and recording artist born and raised in New Orleans. She currently directs music ministry at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has released six solo albums of liturgical and sacred music, and the mother of four sons.
Meredith Augustin and Lorraine Hess join us today and discuss the challenges of ministry and motherhood in the last year: from musically-restricted liturgies to children staying home for school, balancing ministry and motherhood held unique and beautiful challenges.
Plus: Lorraine and Meredith offer a sneak peek at this year's breakout, "Balancing Ministry and Motherhood, part 2"!
SHOW NOTES
Bio: Meredith Augustin
“When she sings, I feel close to God!” These words have been used to describe listening to Meredith. Love flows through her – and her voice touches hearts. A West Virginia girl, who grew up in Morgantown, Meredith began playing the piano and singing at a very young age. She describes, “My mom taught piano lessons while I was in her womb. I think it started there. When I was two, my mom and dad told me it was time to give up my pacifier, and I could sing myself to sleep…. I haven’t stopped.”
After completing her Masters of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from West Virginia University, Meredith’s musical activities began leading her to New York City, where she eventually made her home. Currently, she is the Director of Music at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in midtown Manhattan. Meredith reflects, “In the last 14 years, my job has allowed me to come face to face with so many beautiful people from so many beautiful cultures. It certainly has helped me evolve personally, as well as musically.”
A rare artist who appeals to fans of all genres – particularly jazz/world/Christian – Meredith has been blessed to collaborate with musicians from all over the world, in particular, Haiti. She has released four solo records entitled: “What’s Goin’ On,” “Deep River,” “Come and Go With Me,” and “Boundless Mercy.”
Bio: Lorraine Hess
Lorraine Hess is a Catholic singer, songwriter, music minister, and recording artist born and raised in New Orleans. She grew up in a family of Jazz and Cajun musicians, and her writing is strongly influenced by her South Louisiana heritage. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, and has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Institute for Ministry, New Orleans. She has served the church in music since age 16, and she currently directs music ministry at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie, Louisiana in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
She has released six solo albums of original liturgical and sacred music: We Shall Be Healed (2008); Child of God (2010), Cradle in Bethlehem (2012), As I Pray (2015) and Glorify Him, (2017), produced by World Library Publications, a division of GIA Publications; and her most recent project, See the Miracle (2019). Her music can also be found in WLP’s CD compilations, More Voices as One I, II, and III. She is also a featured composer in VOICES, a contemporary hymnal of WLP of GIA.
She has performed at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians Convention, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, Mid-Atlantic Congress, the International Catholic Stewardship Conference, the Catholic Women of Faith Conference (Nashville), New Orleans World Youth Day, the National Catholic Educators Association Convention & Expo, the Catholic Health Association Conference, the New Orleans Archdiocese Leadership Celebration, the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC), WINE (Women in the New Evangelization), Catholic Women in Action, Legatus, and at concerts, youth events, parish missions, retreats and liturgies throughout the country. Lorraine has also performed in John Angotti’s original musical, JOB, The NOW Testament, and has appeared on the nationally televised shows The Power of Love hosted by the late Fr. Michael Manning, SVD and Live With Passion with Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P.
Lorraine and her husband, Rob, have been married since 1990, and are recipients of the St. Louis Medallion Award for service to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. They are proud parents of four sons, her greatest vocation. For more about Lorraine, visit her website at lorrainehess.com. Her work as a featured artist with WLP, a division of GIA, is also available at voicesasone.com and giamusic.com.
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