Music at
St. Anthony's

WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM

Music at St. Anthony's of Padua Parish

Welcome to Our Church

St. Anthony of Padua Church


1359 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford, MA 02746

Our Why

Music at St. Anthony’s is the fundraising program to support ongoing maintenance and special repair projects for the church’s over 110-year-old historic French Romantic pipe organ that was built and designed specifically for the space.

What We Believe

The Spirit of St. Anthony choir concerts bring together an ecumenical gathering of singers who love music and share the spirit of harmony.



Our Partners

The Old Colony Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosts acclaimed organ recitals year-round, showcasing the instrument's versatility and grandeur.


Donations

In a promise to Monsignor Levesque, the former pastor at St. Anthony's whose reputation is well known for his restoration of the interior of the church, the Concert program supports resoration of our church organ.

Restore And Preserve
The Casavant Brothers Pipe Organ

Daniel Lemieux prepared the organ specifications for the Convention of the Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists held in July 2005.

To learn more about St. Anthony's organ click here:

St. Anthony of Padua - New Bedford, Massachusetts Casavant Freres Pipe Organ, Op. 489 (1912)

Here is Dan Lemieux's web site link.
www.pipeorganspecialist.com

About Our Virtual Pipe Organ Company | Meta Organworks

Adopt an Organ Part

St. Anthony Church has a separate fund where money donated for the organ restoration is set aside and is used only to pay for work on the organ. Most of the cost for "Music at St. Anthony's" events is paid for by advertising, in-kind donations, and lots of volunteer singers and musicians.  You can download and adoption form here.

Our Events

Christmas Concert 2023

Sunday , December 17th, at 3:00 PM

St. Anthony of Padua Church

 1359 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA 02746

Parking and shuttle available from St. Killian’s lot on Earle St.
Wheelchair access is available from the ramp on Nye Street

Suggested $10 donation will be accepted at the door
Recital followed by Complimentary Tea in the Church Hall.



What Sweeter Music: The Polyphony Choir of Magdalen College in Concert

Monday, December 11th, at 6:30 PM

St. Anthony of Padua Church

 1359 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA 02746

A festive concert of sacred music for Advent and Christmas at St. Anthony of Padua.  The acclaimed 22-voice ensemble will take you on a musical journey from the season of hushed waiting to the joyful radiance of Our Lord’s Nativity. Repertoire includes works by Palestrina, Victoria, Gibbons, Britten, Carter, Rutter, Stopford, and others ranging from the 15th century to the present day. It will be capped off by familiar carols for all present to sing. This concert is part of the choir’s What Sweeter Music tour that is taking place at churches across New England this December.

It is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit magdalen.edu/concert.

Our history

LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY of PADUA (1195-1231)

A Portuguese saint, Anthony was born in Lisbon in 1195 (though carbon-dating performed on his bones in 1982 suggest a different birth year). His father was a Captain in the Portuguese Royal Army. Anthony joined the Franciscan Order in 1221 and was asked by St. Francis to instruct the Order in the study of the scriptures. Anthony died in 1231. Pope Gregory IX enrolled him among the saints in 1232. At Padua, a magnificent basilica was built in his honor; his holy relics were entombed there in 1263. From the time of his death up to the present day, countless miracles have occurred through St. Anthony's intercession, so that he is known as the Wonder-Worker. 


On January 16, 1946, Pope Pius XII, declared St. Anthony a Doctor of the Church, with the title, Doctor Evangelicus, Doctor of Gospels. Within the entire Community of Saints, only 33 have been declared Doctors of the Church for their exemplary scholasticism and their Christ-like lives. Anthony is typically depicted holding a book of the Gospels and cradling the Christ Child. Anthony died in Italy, but is still very much a Portuguese saint. He is patron saint of Lisbon and of preachers of the gospels. His intercession is often sought as the saint of lost causes and lost articles. Founded in 1895, the parish of St. Anthony of Padua, located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, was so named because 1895 was the 700th anniversary of the birth of this remarkable saint.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

- Psalm 104:33

American Guild of Organist (AGO)

The Old Colony Organist Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter

Southeastern Massachusetts Guild of Organist
American Guild of Organists
https://www.agohq.org/southeasternmassachusetts/

Our chapter covers the 53 towns and cities south of Boston, north of Cape Cod and east of Rhode Island. It includes the cities of Brockton, Taunton, Attleboro, Fall River and New Bedford along with several small towns, many with historic pipe organs.

The oldest continually active E & GG Hook pipe organ in the United States, an 1834 installation is in the Berkley Congregational Church. Our programs are held throughout the region and celebrate organs and organ music throughout the year.


St. Anthony's is the largest church building in Southeastern Massachusetts and its breathtaking interior with a multitude of stained glass windows, larger than life angels looking down from the heights, stunning murals, and exquisitely carved Stations of the Cross.

A canopy of 5500 light bulbs is gradually illuminated as the program progresses until at the final chords, the massive sanctuary is bathed in light. It is a religious experience just to be in such a space.


Email Former Dean Thomas C Sargent Sr at tsargentsr@aol.com for information.

Convention Article

Concert COORDINATOR

Gisele Pappas

Our music program focuses on three areas: Church services, choir and cantor programs, and the Music At St. Anthony's organ fundraising program. Since 1912, the adult choir has prepared special programs for the major feast days. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is preceded by a concert of traditional carols. Easter Week is celebrated with special programs from Thursday through Sunday, including the vigil Mass on Easter Eve.


Music At St. Anthony's is a program that began in 2006 as a collaboration with the Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Richard Hill, past Dean of the chapter, coordinates the recitalists for events each year. The Spirit of St. Anthony Choir was formed in 2004 as a one concert effort to launch the organ renovation fund. 

The "Spirit" in the group was so strong that the members were compelled to continue to sing together. The choir originally had 50 singers from 4 local choruses but has grown to a participant list of over 180 voices from 27 different area churches and choirs. The choir meets twice a year, in December and May, under the direction of David Touchette. Isleila Rodrigues is the accompanist.

To join any of our special choirs, please e-mail the Concert Coordinator.

Gisele Pappas, Concert Coordinator
SOSAChoir@gmail.com
 
Click Below to here the Up Front WNBH Radio 1340 AM Music at St. Anthony's Interview

Intro     Part 1     Part 2