Marc Alan Brunelle, DMA

Minister of Liturgy & Music

Marc came to St. Marcelline in July of 2002 from upstate NY, where he was the Director of Music & Liturgy at the Cathedral of Saint Mary, in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, and Associate Professor of Music and Director of Chapel Music at Wadhams Hall Seminary College.  Dr. Brunelle currently oversees a large comprehensive Liturgy and Music program that includes training, scheduling, and formation for a 300 member Liturgical ministry program, designing and coordinating all liturgical and para-liturigcal worship, training and conducting the forty-five member Sanctuary Choir, and serves as a resource person for all matters of music and liturgy.

Marc also maintains an active schedule as choral conductor, clinician in vocal and choral technique, adjudicator, and workshop leader around the country.  Marc holds undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees in Organ Performance and Choral Conducting from Rhode Island College School of Music, King’s College, Cambridge, England, and the Graduate Theological Foundation.  Dr. Brunelle currently serves as Assistant Conductor of the widely- acclaimed Heartland Voices in Elgin, IL, and has served as guest conductor and adjudicator for numerous professional and amateur choral ensembles.  He has offered workshops for the American Guild of Organists, the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Dioceses of Chicago, Boston and Rhode Island, and parishes throughout the East Coast and Canada. 

Patricia M. Stewart, BS

Associate Minister of Liturgy & Music

Mrs. Stewart has studied piano and organ at Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield, Illinois under the direction of Dominican nuns.  Mrs. Stewart graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Elementary Education, with a special area of Music. 

Pat has been at St. Marcelline Church in Schaumburg, Illinois for 25 years and is currently Associate Minister of Music and Liturgy and the Director of the Jubilation Ringers and the Joyful Noise Children's Choir.  Mrs. Stewart participated in the first Liturgy School held by the National Pastoral Musicians and was the local coordinator for the NPM Handbell School at Loyola University in 1995.   Mrs. Stewart holds a diploma from the Liturgy Institute of Chicago, now known as the Parish Liturgy Program. 

For over a decade, Pat has been active as both an auxiliary and central music staff member for the Archdiocese of Chicago.  Members of the Jubilation Ringers, under Mrs. Stewart’s direction, have participated in NPM regional and national conventions in Cincinnati, Chicago, and Milwaukee.

Sanctuary Choir and Jubilation Ringers perform at Salzburg Cathedral, July 2008

†THE SANCTUARY CHOIR is made up of 40 professional and amateur musicians whose dedication and commitment to musical excellence and leadership is uncompromised.  The Choir leads assembly singing at the 11:00 a.m. Mass each Sunday, and includes anthems/motets spanning all periods in music history.  In the summer of 2003 the Choir recorded a professional CD entitled, “We Lift up Our Hearts in Praise: The Sounds of Marcelline.”  The Choir presents an annual Spring Concert with orchestra, and in 2005 was honored with an special invitation by the Vatican to sing a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy.  The choir also performed a sold out concert at the Church of the Gesu, and sang a Solemn High Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.  

The Choir has performed in several liturgical celebrations at the Cathedral of the Holy Name in Chicago, IL; for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians Regional Conference, and the Archdiocesan Choir Festival held every year at the Cathedral.  The Choir and the Jubilation Ringers just returned from a very successful concert tour of Prague, Austria and Germany.  The Choirs performed concerts at St. Nicholas Church in Prague, St. Peter's Church in Vienna and sang a Solemn High Mass at the famed Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria. 

Choir performs at Church of the Gesu in Rome, December 2005

This CD is available for purchase from the Parish Administration Center for $15.00

Enjoy the Sounds of Marcelline

†THE JUBILATION RINGERS are made up of 11 dedicated and hardworking individuals, whose dedication and commitment to the fine art of bell ringing has garnered them an outstanding reputation.  This 4-octave Handbell choir enriches our worship services with their excellent skill and thrilling and joyous sounds.  This ensemble has performed at regional and national conferences for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians throughout the country.  In the summer of 2003, the Jubilation Ringers recorded a professional CD entitled, “We Lift up Our Hearts in Praise: The Sounds of Marcelline.”  They also take their love of ringing to the greater community through outreach efforts to nursing and long-term care facilities. 

In 2008, the Jubilation Ringers returned from a very successful concert tour of Prague, Austria and Germany.  The Jubilation Ringers performed concerts at St. Nicholas Church in Prague, and St. Peter's Church in Vienna.

†THE CANTOR GUILD are comprised of singers drawn from the choir to lead assembly singing at our weekend Masses and other liturgical celebrations. All are Cantor's have received special training and have attended conferences geared towards improving and recognizing the importance of leader's of song.  Some vocal training and liturgical experience is necessary.

†A JOYFUL NOISE CHILDREN'S CHOIR is made up of 25 youngsters in grades 3-8 and sing once a month at the 9:00am Family Mass.  They rehearse once a week and their curriculum includes music fundementals, ensemble singing techniques, liturigical terminology and appreciation. 

†TEEN MASS ENSEMBLE is and instrumental and vocal ensemble made up of drums, bass guitar, guitar and teen vocalists who lead the singing at the 6:00pm Teen Mass held twice a month.  Anyone with experience with an instrument or posess a love of singing are warmly invited to join us.

†THE RESURRECTION CHOIR is made up of dedicated singers from the parish who wish to share their gift of music with bereaved families at their Funeral Liturgy.  Rehearsals are held a half-hour before the funeral.  Everyone who is able to sing a weekday or Saturday morning funeral is invited to join us.

Liturgical Ministries

• ALTAR SERVERS are comprised of young people who assist the priest at Mass - Christine Cooper, Coordinator.

• ART & ENVIRONMENT are parishioners who are charged with maintaining the environment in the worship space - Marc Alan Brunelle, Minister of Liturgy & Music.

• EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS are confirmed parishioners who distribute communion to the assembly at our weekend Masses.  Training sessions are offered several times throughout the year and a flexible schedule is available - Marc Alan Brunelle, Minister of Liturgy & Music.

• GREETERS are folks who greet our parishioners and guests at Mass.  They provide a welcoming smile to our many guests and parishioners who enter our church - Marc Alan Brunelle, Minister of Liturgy & Music.

• LECTORS are adults and teens who proclaim the "Word of the Lord" each week.  They hold a weekly practice session that includes praying with the scriptures for that weekend, and rehearsing their proclamation.  New members are always welcome - June & Wayne Bessette, Coordinators.

• MONEY COUNTERS are adults of the parish who minister by counting and posting the offering so generously given by our assembly each week.  They are instrumental in making sure our offering is posted correctly and efficiently - Pam Kwaitkowski, Coordinator.

• SACRISTANS are members who maintain supplies in the sacristy, wash and painstakingly press the Purificators and other linens used at Mass, assist in cleaning the Church and many other "behind the scene" tasks - Liz Scipior, Coordinator.

• USHERS are men and women of our parish who ensure the safety and well-being of all who worship with us each week.  They assist with those who have disabilities find seating, help those who fall ill, and guide those needing directions.  They are importent to maintaing a reverent and peaceful atmosphere - Raymond Biliskov, Head Usher.