Brown to offer parish mission, concert at Sacred Heart

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
February 24, 2005

SPENCER - Internationally known liturgical composer, author and recording artist, Grayson Warren Brown, will return to Sacred Heart Parish in Spencer to offer a parish mission.

On March 12 at 7 p.m. there will be concert performed by Grayson Warren Brown, which as Marianne Fuchsen, music and liturgical minister at Sacred Heart in Spencer, explained could turn into a sing-a-long. Brown has asked the parish choir to sing with him as well. The concert will include a free-will offering for parish expenses.

Brown will speak during the two Masses on March 13. That evening at 5:30 p.m. there will be a parish potluck dinner and fellowship. The mission will begin at 7 p.m. on March 13 and conclude on March 15.

After the March 15 presentation, there will be a reception held for Brown. A second offering will be taken that evening for Brown as well.

According to Fuchsen, Lent is a good time to have this sort of event because "people are searching to examine their spirituality and examine their life in a closer way. This gives them the opportunity to hear someone from outside their own environment and ideas that are perhaps approached a little differently than what they are used to."

Brown began his liturgical ministry in the late 1960s in a small, inner-city parish in New York City where he learned early on how significant an authentic, spirit-filled experience of worship can be to people in need of hope.

"Last year, he spoke each night about one of the parables in Luke's Gospel," said Fuchsen. "It lasts about an hour and a half. He includes music in his presentation, but it is mostly speaking."

His 20 years of experience working in a multicultural parish have given him a unique insight into the power that good liturgy can instill in people of all colors and backgrounds.

Brown is now dividing his time between writing, composing and traveling the country giving workshops, speaking at conventions and conducting parish missions. His down-to-earth approach to liturgy and Scripture, coupled with his dynamic speaking style has made him one of the most sought-after presenters in the United States.

"The response last year was just overwhelming from the people that went," said Fuchsen. "We had many parishioners that came for all three nights - teenagers all the way up to 80 year olds. We felt that there was a momentum there that we needed to capitalize on because we had not seen our people get quite this excited about anyone we had brought in previously. It seemed to really reach all age groups."

The event is open to anyone who would like to attend. Information has been sent to parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City to allow people from other parishes the opportunity to attend.

There will be a table each evening selling Grayson Warren Brown items such as CDs and other materials. There will also be books and other materials sold for all ages.