Ready for Rome: St. Andrew Choir to Sing at Vatican

In 2010, members of the St. Andrew choir received the holiest of holy invitations. 

In a letter sent to the Newtown Township Catholic church, the Vatican invited the parish’s choir to sing at a mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Nov. 10 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Cappella Giulia.

St. Andrew’s choir was the only one in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to receive the prestigious invitation from Rome to sing at the 10:30 a.m. mass.

Since receiving that letter three years ago, David Kimock, the parish’s director of music and liturgy, has been preparing for the spiritual pilgrimage. 

About 95 people—35 choir members and their family and friends—will be packing their bags for the pilgrimage, which will be from Nov. 7 to 14. While in Italy, the group will also sing at a mass at the Tomb of St. Francis in Assisi. 

St. Andrew’s choir will sing four hymns during the mass in honor of the anniversary of the Cappella Giulia, which sings all masses at St. Peter’s Basilica except for those celebrated by the Pope. 

Kimock said he was very surprised to receive the invitation from the Vatican requesting St. Andrew's participation. Only a few select choirs from around the world were invited, he said.

“It was a great honor to be invited,” Kimock said. 

This won't be the first time members of the St. Andrew’s choir will take their talents overseas. In 2003, the group traveled to Italy and sang at the Vatican, Assisi and Florence, Kimock said.

The 47-person choir typically practices once a week from September through May, Kimock said. The group sings during the 10:30 a.m. masses at the church, as well as masses for special sacraments and holidays.

However, this fall, “we’re going to be starting rehearsal a little early,” Kimock said. He said the choir will begin rehearsing in late August to prepare for the trip.

To raise money for their trip, St. Andrew's choir is raffling off a Ford Mustang. Click here for details.