Holy Cross Parish has had a Sunday evening mass since the early 1970's, and throughout that time this mass has had youth, young adults and families as its primary focus. Music has always been an important part of the mass, and from the earliest it explored alternative and contemporary repertoire and instruments - records from the time indicate that the musicians included guitars and trumpets.

By the late 1980's, the music had settled around a small but enthusiastic group, including Dave and Cathy Brown (now at Blessed Sacrament parish), John Pilgrim (now at St. Andrew's Parish in Barhaven), Francis Diks (the longest serving member still with the group), Dan and Sarah Alder, Brian Cano, Anita Desrochers (Sims), and Joe Cosgrove. The ensemble, known then simply as the "folk group", was enthusiastic in its music, singing favorite "Glory and Praise" pieces peppered with the occasional traditional hymn, and a number of Christian praise songs such as "Just a Closer Walk With Thee", "Life is Like a Mountain Railroad", "I Saw the Light" and "Father, I Adore You".

Throughout this time, the Holy Cross "youth mass" had a close association with Carleton University, engendered mainly by the presence of Fr. Michael Peterkin, then the university's Roman Catholic chaplain. Many students would come to the 7:30 mass to hear Fr. Peterkin preach, which he did regularly for a number of years. Fr. Peterkin sadly passed away during the summer of 1993, and subsequent pastors and associate pastors (including Fr. Joe Leclair, Fr. Tom Riopelle, Fr. Mark Slatter, and Fr. Ross Finlan) as well as a number of priests studying at St. Paul University (including Fr. Bill Swengros of Florida and Fr. Barry Brinkman of Kansas) continued to support the enthusiastic music ministry of that mass.

In the mid 1990's, other commitments drew Dave Brown away from the group for longer and longer periods of time, and eventually he and Cathy left the group entirely. The group continued to work on a consensus basis for some time, selecting music together and continuing the tradition of inventing a new tune for the psalm a few minutes before mass. (While this was not always an successful endeavour, it did result in a number of enduring psalm arrangements that we continue to use today. We would certainly not recommend this now - especially with a group as diverse as we now have!).

Over time, the group began to grow, and in doing so, began to become more and more unwieldy. The members realized quickly that choosing the music just prior to mass was not the best idea - for one, we often weren't ready by mass time, and for another, it meant that no one could practice the music ahead of time. In addition, our repertoire was beginning to change and expand, moving away from our country/folk roots and becoming both more liturgically oriented and rock-like. There was definite feeling on the part of the members that they wanted more than just to play every week, they wanted to play well, and to build their musical abilities.

In about 1995 or 1996, Dan began to "lead" the group, though it was primarily only as the person who counted the instrumentalists in, so they all started at the same time. They also began to stabilize their repertoire somewhat, working mainly from Glory and Praise, and Gather. These years saw the introduction of David Haas's Mass for the Life of the World, an arrangement of mass parts that the group has used regularly ever since. Psalms continued to be composed "on the spot", though arrangements began to be reused, and versions from other composers began to be used as well.

The group has continued to grow considerably. Dan and Sarah's brother Brian joined as our third guitarist. The ensemble welcomed Cynthia Bruce-Marzenska and her son Matthew shortly after their baptisms at the Easter vigil in 2000 and 2001 - Cynthia's ability as a cellist quickly becoming apparent and greatly appreciated, as was Matthew's voice. For a brief but enjoyable time Charity Corbett blessed us with her skills as a percussionist, along with another singer, Huena. Sherri Vallee (currently liturgical coordinator for St. Patrick's Home) accompanied on violin, as did Yves Richard on trumpet. Singers at various times in recent years have included Pat Liston, Sylvia Stumpf, Rhonda Collens, Jennifer Collens, Rachel Derks, Colin Hall, Teresa Bonnacci, Kelly Kinahan, Mary, Ralph and Patricia Pilgrim, Julie-Anne Leggett, Meghan Sindall, and Viola Basque.

In 2001, Cornerstone's repertoire shifted slightly with the purchase of Gather Comprehensive from GIA Publications, and Spirit & Song from OCP Publications. The investment in these books was made in order to address firstly the issue of ensuring that the music they were using was properly paid for - something that was not being well attended to with the library of paper photocopies that had been assembled over the previous decade - and secondly to offer a chance to change and expand the group's repertoire somewhat. Gather Comprehensive gave Cornerstone access to the majority of the songs and hymns that they had played over the years, and provided a source for new material to cover feasts and needs that previously had gone without completely appropriate music. Spirit & Song, with its very contemporary focus, gave Cornerstone a whole new variety of music in a style that suited the ensemble's style very well.

Sadly, in late 2003, disagreements with the parish unrelated to music forced Dan to leave, and Cornerstone, for the most part, followed. Several members of the group continue to provide music for the 7:30 pm Sunday mass; however, the majority have moved on, saddened by the situation. Members in both branches of Cornerstone continue to remain in close contact, and continue to support one another in their ministries.

Cornerstone is pleased to have found a second home at St. Margaret Mary's parish in Ottawa South. They are looking forward to leading their new family in song at the newly instituted Sunday 7:30 pm mass, and want to express their immense thanks for the extremely warm welcome that the St. Margaret Mary's community has afforded them. It is with great hope that Cornerstone is embarking on this new adventure.

Cornerstone has been a very important part of the life of many people, both members of the group as well as friends and family. It is much bigger than any of the individuals that form it, and while it can be a challenging experience, all agree that it is a worthwhile one.

Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing;
it sounds and echoes in my soul: how can I keep from singing?

February, 2004