Teen organists taking active role in parishes called 'youth in action'

MINERAL POINT, Wis. (CNS) -- A new generation of organists -- all in their teens -- is committed to providing a vital component of worship for the congregations at two Wisconsin parishes.

"It's just a great joy to see these young people stepping forward and to see Catholic youth in action," said Father Monte Robinson, pastor of the Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul Parish in Mineral Point and St. Philomena Parish in Belmont.

The two linked parishes are blessed with the talents of 17-year-old Caleb Mitchell in Mineral Point along with 14-year-old Kassandra Palzkill and 13-year-old Dominic Mailloux in Belmont.

"We're very grateful that these young people are doing this, and they're very accomplished for their age," Father Robinson told the Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Madison Diocese. "I'm just very proud of every one of them."

Caleb has been playing the organ every Sunday at St. Mary Church in Mineral Point since December of last year. He had been playing piano since he was 7 years old and had an easy time transitioning to the organ.

"It's pretty fun; I like leading people," he said. When parishioners find out how young he is, "a lot of people are amazed, but I try to do my best," Caleb said. He added that his favorite part of being a parish organist is accompanying the choir at Mass.

Kassandra has been playing organ for Masses the longest of the three -- for the past two years at St. Philomena Parish in Belmont, where she plays at Mass once a month. She also made the transition from piano to organ.

"It feels like I'm doing some good for the church," she said.

The youngest of the three, Dominic has been playing the organ at St. Philomena for about six months and, like the others, has been playing piano for a few years.

He was inspired to take up the organ after a recent family trip to Rhode Island, where they saw and heard liturgical music played on an organ in a cathedral there. His family even acquired their own 400-pound organ for their home, on which Dominic practices. He plays organ for Mass each first Sunday of the month.

Father Robinson credits the organists' families for their involvement in the parishes, and calls them "families alive for the faith." Caleb and Dominic also serve at Masses.

The three organists encourage all young people to get involved in their parishes.

"If you're willing to help out the church, then go for it because anything will help," said Caleb.

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Wondrash is on the staff of the Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Diocese of Madison.