Email to Francis Chowdhurie (St Gerard's Choir Leader)
Dear Francis.
As I promised you yesterday after we met and you gave me your visiting card that I would mail you.
I already mentioned to you yesterday personally that I was very much impressed and moved by the way things are carried out. Presentation before Mass, during Mass, etc., I have visited as I told you many countries on work business trips and since I live in Germany and was active in the parish council over 18 years etc., I must say that the Novena Church has left a good memory for me plus Dubai & India, the active singing etc., I came to Singapore on the 1st September and will be leaving back on the 27th October back to Switzerland. Please keep up the good work you are doing in your Parish believe me you are doing good work. The people who are in the parish may not have mentioned this to you as this may have become a routine but a person new who comes to Sunday Mass in your parish and is touched by the way things are carried out in your parish and helps one during the week is something good,
Thanks and hope to hear from you. Remember me in your prayers.
Regards,
Bona D'Souza
(Address in England)
28-08-03
The Redemptorist Community -
Last Sunday evening I joined you for 5.30pm mass during a stop-over visit on route from Australia to England. The atmosphere in your Church was so welcoming and prayerful that I had to write and thank you for the deep spiritual refreshment I experienced that evening.
The size of the congregation present and the way they joined in the liturgy so whole heartedly, together with the excellent music and the scripture reflections were most uplifting.
It was a great pleasure and priviledge to worship amongst such a spiritual people; a treasured memory of my visit to Singapore.
Kindest regards and prayers
(signed)
Margaret (Noblett)
We Are Many Parts - St Gerard's Choir
Some feedback written on our Choir book presented at the Choir's 2008 Recruitment Drive on 6 and 20 April 2008
To: Choir
God bless you!!
IN HIS LOVE
God bless. I wish to join the Choir.
Dear St Gerard Choir
With warmest regards.
God Bless to all of you.
With all His Love.
Thanks for the beautiful singing. May God bless everyone of you.
Very dedicated and passionate choir. Keep it up. We appreciate the joy in singing
Such joy you bring (to) my Sunday evening.
15th year? Wow!! Congrats! Thank you for giving God's talent. Keep it up. God bless.
Great singing and organ playing! Thanks for your dedication.
Sing with meanings and feelings, always. God Bless.
Your singing inspires us. Thank you for making our Sunday special.
Thank you Choir - I make it a point to attend 5.30pm Mass cos I enjoy the singing.
Everything is excellent!! We travel to Paris, Sydney, Hong Kong, but this is the best!
You guys are a delight and a great way to cap a week! Keep up the good work!.
I've always enjoyed coming to the Novena Church for Mass, and I thin k that it is largely because of the Choir! Keep up the good work!
Some comments on our Choir web postings
Your church website is very good. And the choir (too). Organist: Steven Tan plays the music so (well). Do you have "Bread of Life" mp3 or midi file (you) can give us? - Helen Hsu, Holy Rosary Cathedral, Taiwan
I love your website. I love all the songs too. I was actually looking for the song "You are Mine". When I heard this in Church, tears flowed out. It touched my heart and truly felt nin the presence of God within me - very comforting song. Since then, it has (become) my favorite song. I was sooo happy to see the way you presented the lyrics of the song. Seeing the picture of Jesus on the lyrics made my heart leap for joy. Good job for a wonderful website. Keep it up! God bless. - Rainella, San Leandro, CA
I was impressed with the Easter Vigil at Novena Church 03 April 2010......
The organ music at Novena Church is usually not good but on that day, it was exceptionally good.
I think the choir has realised that some music is meant to be played with the church pipe organ and some with the electone synthesiser.
Well done.
I congratulate the organist who played "Jesus Christ is Risen today" on the pipe organ. Yes this hymn is meant to be played on the pipe organ alone and the keys the organist used were all correct. Great musical arrangement!
I congratulate the organist who played "Up On the Waters" - very good musical accompaniment, bass. Maybe you could put the percussion sound downstairs, one day, to create a surround effect.
.....
Cheers
Peng Yeow
Extract of a letter from Mr Peng Yeow (parishioner at Novena Church)
