To the Editor:

This letter touches the hearts of Episcopalians, Easter people, baseball fans, and concertgoers. It is about personal and corporate renewal and joy in the spring.

Today, Saturday March 31, I participated in the funeral service for Bishop Dabney Smith’s wife, Mary Ellen Smith, held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, St. Petersburg in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. I sing in the Cathedral Choir for the three months I am here. The Cathedral Choir numbers 28 and was supplemented by 22 other singers from various churches in the Diocese. Our organist, Dwight Thomas is a marvelous choral director, organist and church musician and he does a superior job.

Approximately 15 retired or current Episcopal Bishops were in attendance. The music was inspirational and beautifully sung and played as was the complete service. Bishop Jeffrey Lee, the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, gave the Homily. The guest soprano soloist for the Pie Jesu from the John Rutter Requiem was Bishop Lee’s wife, Lois.

Presiding Bishop Katherine Shori Jeffords was the Celebrant. I was privileged to be part of the procession and recession with her and very privileged to receive the Holy Eucharist from her. I experienced great eye contact with the Presiding Bishop, as did all others. Upwards of 1,000 people participated. It was also a pleasure to meet and greet her after the service.

On to Holy Week and Easter. We will be performing glorious music and with an added personal gift. My great granddaughter Ayla will be baptized during the Easter Vigil Service Saturday night. Easter Sunday at St. Peter’s is majestic magnificence. Six professional brass players and percussionists enhance the music of the choir and organ.

From the secular world: This same evening I attended a concert given by Grammy recipient Suzy Bogguss. I ended this memorable day in conversation with this great and charismatic performing artist and her husband Doug Crider. I am looking forward to presenting Suzy in the Norwood Village Green Concert Series sometime in the future.

I will be attending the opening game of the baseball season at Tropicana Field in a game that pits the Yankees against the Ray. Go Rays. I’ll be attending the game after the noon Good Friday service.

After some more beach time I am looking forward to coming back north in time for the Crane Chorus and Orchestra performance of the Verdi Requiem with Ann Howard Jones as guest conductor on Saturday, April 28th and then using the month of May for final preparations for the opening of the Norwood Village Green Concert Series on Thursday, May 31. Our opening concert will feature performing groups from Potsdam, Lisbon, Madrid-Waddington, Colton-Pierrepont, Canton and Hermon-DeKalb.

Have you donated yet? See our series website at www.norwoodvillagegreenconcertseries.org for all things Village Green including schedules and our donations page for information.

Joseph M. Liotta, Norwood