Our Name and Tribute
The title "Lilies of the Field Music" honors my mother's favorite bible verse, Matthew 6:25-34
(Jesus said) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ...indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
My parents, saw in this passage God's providential care, not only of persons, but of the whole of creation. It strengthened their faith, deepened their hope, and enabled them to love in exemplary ways. They both trusted God implicitly, and God never failed them. Thus, this website honors them for the faith and trust they placed in God, and the love and care with which they raised their children.
Composer Bio. Sketch
My story
Following graduation from King's College, Wilkes Barre, PA and the University of Notre Dame, IN, I have spent much of my career in higher education as a campus minister, theology instructor, and pastoral musician. I had served on numerous campuses throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states before moving to Buffalo NY with my wife Doris and son, Nathan in 2015. My interest in pastoral music and composition was fostered during my time with the Holy Cross community (a Catholic religious order) and especially at the University of Notre Dame where I studied "Guitar and the Liturgy" under Steve Warner, founder of the Notre Dame Folk Choir and liturgical music composer (World Library Publications). Additional training in music theory, composition, arranging, and orchestration at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale provided the foundation for a lifetime of engagement with music, the liturgy, and service to the Christian church. Whereas I currently work part-time as a chaplain with Catholic Health in Buffalo, NY, my passion compels me to continue to write and arrange music to serve the faith community, but also a number of secular pieces as well.
Signature works include Servant of the Lord, an eight movement Lenten oratorio (Two renditions available: 1.small ensemble recording and 2. a full orchestral score); Advent Canticle, a collection of songs for Advent/Christmas Seasons; Easter Morn; Spirit; Goes the Christ; God of Glory; My Yoke is Easy: I Am the Vine; America; Your Spirit Lives (instrumental); Lazy Bones; Ms. Chievious; among others.