The following information was provided by St. Boniface Catholic Church. Church leadership recently recognized two choir members, Rosie Schueths and Shirley Meis, following their “retirement” from their choir roles as director and organists.
Rosie began playing the organ for St. Boniface in 8th Grade!! Rosie and Pat Selting would trade off for the summer masses, after learning how to play from the nuns. In 1967, Rosie took over as choir director after the current director, Barbara Ann Ziegler, went to work at Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School when it opened. A highlight (from Rosie’s tenure) was when the choir was professionally recorded live, in 2001, prior to the Parish Centennial. Rosie recently retired as choir director, after nearly 50 years, but agreed to still play the organ once a month, and for funerals.
Shirley began playing the organ when she was 15 years old!! The church she attended in Albion paid for a year of lessons, so she could learn on the pipe organ, and then later, the electric organ. She joined the Catholic Church, and in 1967, under the direction of Rosie Schueths, Shirley began playing the organ for Monsignor Buelt at the 8:00 a.m. Masses. This is something she did faithfully for many, many years. Shirley recently retired from weekend Masses, but will still play for funerals.
As we go forward we are blessed to say that two parishioners have stepped forward to provide leadership for our Music Ministry: Rachel Becker and Mark Dwyer. We have “big shoes” to fill as a parish, but together, with all ages willing to share their talents, we can continue our tradition of having music that is second to none in our Archdiocese!!
Thank you Rosie and Shirley for sharing your talents for over 100 years combined!
Photo by Amy Selting
