By Gerry D’Mello, Bendur
Pics:  Ivan Lobo
Daijiworld media network, Canada

Canada, Nov 26: Contrary to the chillness of the Canadian weather, the warmth of the divine spirit spread through divine angelic singing thus preparing Christians in and around Mississauga for the joyous feast of “Christmas-2009”.

The ‘Knights of Columbus’, a Catholic Association boasting over two million members all over the world, is a Catholic men’s fraternal benefit society that is very popular in North America. It was formed to render financial aid and assistance which are offered to the sick, disabled, needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.  

The first Knights of Columbus council in Canada was formed in Montreal in 1897.  Today there are more than 231,000 Canadian members in over 1,900 councils throughout Canada's 10 Provinces.  In 2008, Knights in Canada donated more than $33 million to Church, community and youth, charities and more than 14 million hours of volunteer services, serving their Church and those in need.  It is a great vehicle for Catholics to practice their stewardship in parishes and communities.

In order to bring out untapped talents & to spread the sweet fragrance of Christmas joy, Council 12214 of ‘Knights of Columbus’ affiliated to Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, one of the prominent churches in Mississauga, organized “Voices for Christ”, a Christmas Carol Singing Competition for the Church Choir groups of Mississauga & Toronto in ‘Christ the King’ Church Hall on 20th November 2009 for the fourth successive time. Acclaimed choir groups consisting of talented singers and musicians from different multicultural backgrounds like Canadian, Indian, British, Italian, Polish, Chinese and Filipino participated in this magnificent event.  

The program took off at 7.30 p.m.  Roy Almeida, the renowned compere in the city ably anchored the evening’s program. He welcomed the full-house gathering followed by Prayer in Song (sung by Odelia Sousa and chorus).

The dynamic leader of Knights of Columbus Council 12214 and the incumbent ‘Grand Knight’ Peter Leitao who was instrumental to stage this magnificent event could not make it due to sudden ill-health.  In his place the District GK Bro. David Peters delivered the welcome speech.  In his speech, he said that the sole purpose of “Voices for Christ” is to bring Christ back into Christmas.  Singing carols make the singer happy and more importantly make the listener smile.  He specially acknowledged Bro. Savio DeSouza who led the organizing committee for the past three years.  He also appreciated the audience and the generous commercial sponsors who provided the valuable support in making the "Voices for Christ" event a grand success.

Compere Roy Almeida then read out the list of participating choir groups. They were:

Adult Choir:

‘Chorale de la Sainte-Famille’ – Director: Favory Gilbert

‘Agnus Dei Choir’ – Director: Maria Lesniak

‘Voices of Distinction’ – Director:  Ed Lavor

Youth Choir:

‘Youth for Jesus’-  Director: Peter Pereira

‘Merciful Redeemer Choir’- Director: Lester Gloria

‘Radosc-Joy Chorum’- Director: Ania Piwowarczyk

‘Our Lady of the Airways Children's Choir’- Director: Monica Pereira

As part of the programme, Roy introduced the judges for the event.  The honourable judges for the event were: 

Peter Mahon:  Educated in the University of Toronto.  Peter Mahon has a dual career in music both as a conductor and as a singer.  As a Conductor, he has worked with several choirs over the last two decades.  In his singing career, he is a countertenor, specializing in baroque and renaissance repertoire and over 25 years has appeared with many ensembles such as Tafelmusik, Toronto Consort, The Montreal Chamber Music Festival, The Toronto Chamber Choir and The St. James Cathedral Choral Society.

Katharine Pimenoff:  Katherine founded the Oratory Children's Choir at Holy Family Church in Toronto in 2003 and directed it until 2008.  She is a former member of the Toronto Consort, Elmer Iseler Singers, Elora Festival Singers, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & so on.  Katharine has taught piano and voice privately throughout her career and is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association.  Miss Pimenoff is an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto.  She is also the organist at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Oshawa and conducts the choir of St. Patrick's High School in Toronto.

Gerry Stephenson:  Conductor, Gerald J. Stephenson was born in Toronto in 1956.  Enrolled in Grade Nine Instrumental Music, Gerry took up the clarinet.  Gerry graduated with a Graduate Diploma of Conducting from the University of Calgary.  While at the University of Western Ontario, Gerry played in the Wind Ensemble, The Orchestra, the Concert Band as well as the London Youth Orchestra.  He has also enjoyed a part-time career as a chorister and soloist with the St. John's Church Choir.

The five criteria used by the judges for allocating points were: Presentation, Harmony, Balance, Vocal production, Choice of songs, Music and vocal Dynamics.  Just like last year, immediately on completion of the choir’s performance, one of the judges provided a brief verbal feedback on the performance of the choir.  The critical remarks given by the highly professional adjudicators were really amazing, thoroughly enjoyed not only by each and every participant, but also the entire audience.

It was quite visible that every choir had a great preparation for the ‘Voices for Christ-2009’ competition, was very eager and enthusiastic to do their best and as a result, they all gave a great performance. 

Soon after the performance by the contestants, the members of KC lead by Ray Bechard enriched and engaged the audience with their spell bound singing of Christmas carols.

Denis O'Sullivan proposed the vote of thanks wherein he thanked all the sponsors and all those who had worked behind the scenes. 

Peter Mahan, one of the esteemed adjudicators spoke a few words on behalf of the judges.  He had all praise for the choirs and added that the judges found it very difficult as all the choirs pulled off an excellent performance. He expressed his great joy on the youth singing as well.

The main sponsors of 3-Way Logistics and Amica awarded the prizes to the winners.

Hats off to the professional & qualified Sound Engineer Rudy D'Souza S/o Valley & Rita D'Souza of Mangalore origin who provided a very modern and perfect sound system for a professional event like 'Voices of Christ'.

The results were as follows:

Adults:

1st Place – ‘Voices of Distinction’  (They were awarded a Trophy & a cash reward)

 Runner Up- ‘Agnus Dei Choir (They were awarded a cash reward)

Youth:

1st Place- 'Merciful Redeemer Youth Choir' (They were awarded a Trophy & a cash reward)

Runner Up - 'St. Martin in the Woodlands' (They were awarded a cash reward) 

All participants were awarded ‘Participation Certificates’.

The program concluded with the National Anthem ‘O Canada’, led by Maria Lesniak