Welcome to the Handbell Ministry!
CLICK HERE FOR A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR 2ND GRADERS AT ST. PATS!
Check the calendar for the ministry’s rehearsal & liturgy schedule
(2007/2008
schedule online now, 2008/2009 will be here soon).
We
offer several ensembles at various levels of ability.
(Please
note: the color of each ensemble name below matches its calendar assignments.)
Jubellation:
SPS
third grade ringers learn to apply the rudiments of music (rhythm, 
pitch,
duration, accidentals, time signatures, dynamics, etc) on handchimes and
percussion instruments in preparation for all-school masses and parish weekend
liturgies. Later in the year, ringers begin using handbells. Rehearsals are Mondays,
2:30 – 4:00 PM.
Embellish
includes
new and returning fourth through eighth graders at the 
advanced-beginner
level. Meets Tuesdays, 2:30 – 4:00 PM in preparation for all-school
masses (for those who attend SPS) and parish weekend liturgies (all ensemble
members), as well as an area-wide ringing festival for young ringers (held first
weekend in February in NE Illinois). Includes percussion as above.
Sh
epherd’s Bells
is
open to all parishioners with at least an intermediate level understanding of
the rudiments
of music. This group currently includes a few mother-daughter teams and
siblings; sons, fathers, grandparents, best friends, co-workers, and cousins
also welcome! Some of us ring in Embellish or Joyful Ring, too. Please
note: youth must be fourth grade or older. Rehearsals are on Mondays,
5:00 - 6:30 PM. Our liturgical preparation is for parish liturgies only; our
rehearsal pace is a bit less intense as compared to Joyful Ring. We participate
in an area-wide ringing festival in NE Illinois or SE Wisconsin, and are known
to do ‘road trips’ to watch other handbell ensembles or soloists perform.
Includes increased responsibilities for performance in Latin and African
percussion rhythms.
Joyful
Ring
is open by audition only to parish ringers who have demonstrated the ability to
accurately ring advanced level repertoire and who can commit to the awesome hard
work and fun of preparing more frequent ringing assignments. This ensemble
prepares for occasional weekend liturgies, two Holy Week liturgies, Midnight
Mass at Christmas, and an area-wide ringing festival as above. Ensemble members
who attend SPS also prepare for some of the all-school masses. Rehearses Wednesdays,
5:00 – 6:30 PM. Includes more advanced percussion assignments as above.
To
register for the Fall ’08 – Spring ’09 year, click here!
(please
register online or via snail mail by 7/31/08 )
Not
sure if ringing is for you?
Handbell
Ministry “no-obligation” Open House
Wednesday,
July 16th 5:00 – 6:30 PM in the New Church
or
email at doster@msn.com