All who ‘pray with song’ in diocesan parishes are invited; retreat will be hosted by Cathedral Music
Southern Nebraska Register
All musicians, cantors, choir members and those who pray with song in parishes throughout the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln are invited to a music retreat Saturday, Oct. 3, hosted by Cathedral Music.
The event, “Music is our prayer,” will be held at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ, 3500 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A catered brunch will be included. The cost to attend is $20 per person.
“We wanted to host this retreat because we know how much musicians are working and giving to their parishes,” said Amy Flamminio, music and choir director at the Cathedral, “but so often don’t have time to meet each other and build fellowship among those doing the work week in and week out, often as volunteers, playing or singing. Besides an opportunity for fellowship, we also wanted to offer inspiration and a chance to pray and think on the spiritual side of the music we offer at Mass every week, perhaps refresh our hearts on what led us to this ministry in the first place.”
The retreat speaker was chosen with this in mind. Dr. Richard Carillo is a conductor, singer, educator, and researcher. He is an assistant professor and director of choral activities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he leads multiple choirs, teaches undergraduate conducting, graduate courses in choral literature, and private graduate conducting lessons.
In addition, Dr. Carrillo “is someone who has a gift for keeping prayer at the forefront of the music as he directs and sings,” Flamminio said.
Dr. Carrillo directed a large diocesan choir in the Mass of the Americas in the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in December 2025. The Mass was one of 12 nationwide Masses celebrated as part of “Project Guadalupe 2031” and in celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
“We look forward to more people getting the chance to hear from him,” Flamminio said, “and have the chance to renew what led us to church music in the first place—a love for the Lord.”
She added that she hoped participants will mingle over brunch and after the closing Mass.
“Those who wish to stay for a light lunch may do so,” she said, adding that the afternoon will also feature an organ benefit recital at 2:30 p.m.
The recital is open to the public with a program on the same “music is our prayer” theme. It will be performed by Justan J. Foster, CAGO, Cathedral’s principal organist.
To register for the retreat, or for further information, visit bit.ly/crcmusicretreat.
