Dear Friends of the Chorale:

As our 20th Anniversary Year comes to a close, we are happy and pleased to share with you our wonderful news. As you may know, Jeanne Jugan, the Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, will be declared "saint" and canonized on October 11, 2009 at St. Peter's in Rome. Mother General Celine has honored us with the invitation to participate in the celebration, and so, we will be traveling to Rome on October 7. The Chorale will be providing the music at the three Masses of Thanksgiving. We will have the privilege of singing at the great Basilicas of Rome - St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Rehearsals have been underway, and needless to say, we are all thrilled and excited to be preparing for this great adventure.

Earlier in the summer I traveled to Brittany, France, at the invitation of the Little Sisters. I stayed at their Motherhouse, "La Tour St. Joseph" and experienced first hand the birthplace, first homes and important locations connected with the life of Jeanne Jugan and the ministry of the sisters. It was a wonderful experience, and the knowledge I gained has served me well in the preparation of our new presentation "Jeanne Jugan: The Hidden Heart." Frances McNamara and I have just finished a final draft of the script. We are hoping to present it while in Rome.

But the good news does not stop here! After our return from Rome, our next stop will be Boston, Massachusetts. We will perform "The Hidden Heart" at the Jeanne Jugan Residence on Saturday evening, October 31 at 7:30pm.

As if all of this wasn't enough . . .On Saturday, November 7th at 3pm, we will premiere "Jeanne Jugan - The Hidden Heart" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center!! To celebrate the canonization for the Church in the New York area, the sisters from the Totowa, New Jersey and the Bronx and Queens Village residences are partnering to present this event. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to step on the stage at Lincoln Center. However, I've learned never to underestimate the faith and power of St. Jeanne Jugan and her little sisters.

We hope and pray that you will support us and the Little Sisters in this endeavor. The ticket price is being held at $25 so that as many people can come as possible. There will be a reception afterward at St. Paul's Church on 59th Street, and refreshments will be served.

Glenn