Music Ministry

Sing to the Lord, All the Earth. 

Music at Saint Paul of the Cross Parish

Music plays an essential role in enhancing liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church. Our Parish features a vibrant music program.

The choir sings regularly on Sundays at the 10:00 A.M. Mass at Saint Anne, as well as for other major liturgical celebrations from Labor Day through Pentecost. The choir's repetoire consists of a wide array of music ranging from Gregorian Chant and Polyphany, to modern music by the top composers of today. The primary responsibility of the choir is to enhance the liturgy with music.

Rehearsals are generally held on the first Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in the choir room at St. Anne, and prior to Mass each Sunday at 9:00 A.M. For more information, please contact Brendan Lowery, Director of Music at blowery@stpaulofthecross.com. 

Cantors assist the congregation's participation in the liturgy by directing and supporting the singing. A succesful cantor will require some sight reading skills, a pleasant voice to lead the congregation with, and the ability to rehearse music without guidance. If you are interested in becoming a cantor, please contact Brendan Lowery (blowery@stpaulofthecross.com) for more information.

Arrangements for all aspects of the music for the wedding liturgy at both St. Anne and St. Winifred Churches must be made through consultation with the Music Director Brendan Lowery. To arrange a meeting with Brendan email him at blowery@stpaulofthecross.com, or call the parish office at (412) 531-5964. Brendan will assist you with music selections, and discuss other possible fees for cantors or instrumentalists.

Click here for comprehensive outline of musical guidelines for your wedding ceremony. 

Click here for the complete Saint Paul of the Cross Parish Wedding Guidelines 

Our Instruments

Saint Paul of the Cross Parish is blessed with a number of wonderful instruments to complement the music at each liturgy. Saint Anne features a newly renovated Luley Organ, while Saint Winifred features a Casavant Frères Pipe Organ.

Luley Pipe Organ

Saint Anne Church

Much of the pipework on the Luley pipe organ at St. Anne’s was originally used in an organ built over 100 years ago for the Cathedral of St. Paul in Oakland. The highly respected W.W. Kimball Organ Company of Chicago built the pipe organ for the Cathedral in 1906, where it served worshippers for more than a half century.

In 1962 the Cathedral installed a new organ and the pipework was removed and installed at Saint Anne by the Tellers Organ Company of Erie, along with a new console, mechanical components, and a few pipe additions. The Tellers Organ was 40 ranks.

As yet another half century has passed, the organ began to show its age in dramatic fashion. The Luley Organ Company was contracted to renovate the organ. This three phase process began with the installation of a new console in early 2020, and renovation of the new 42 rank instrument concluded with the installation of the Choir Division, Pedal Reed, and Tuba in September 2023. The renovation included: a new solid state console, new windchests, some tonal changes, and complete tonal finishing of the entire instrument.

Casavant Frères Organ

Saint Winifred Church

The organ at Saint Winifred Church was built by well-known French-Canadian organ builder Casavant Frères, and installed when the church was constructed in 1963. Casavant Frères was a popular builder in the diocese at the time, constructing organs for both Saint Bernard Church in Mount Lebanon, and Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Beaufitul River as well within a five year time period.

The organ console was originially housed along with the pipework in a choir loft above the altar. The organ console then moved to its current location in the current choir area in the early 2000's.