Two musicians named Bob have blessed us, the local Catholic community, for decades. The first Bob is partly retired after years of leading congregants in song. The second Bob recently passed away.
I do not think I encountered musicians as talented as the Bobs until I moved to the West Coast. An exception might be St. Augustine’s Gospel Choir in Washington, DC, but comparing a musician who cantors to a choir is unfair.
Both Bobs were refreshingly open to different types of liturgical music. Some Catholics prefer traditional hymns while others like contemporary liturgical music. The Bobs perform hymns and music in varying tempos, using guitar and piano They both have wonderful voices that praise God and invite others to join them. There is an old saying that in singing, we pray twice. Music opens hearts and minds.
The First Bob
The first Bob is still with us and returned to the church I first attended after my move here. His music, unless somber for the Triduum, for example, was always uplifting. I experienced difficult times during those years and appreciated his soothing and prayerful music. Bob recorded at least two CDs so I can listen to his music now at home. I especially appreciate his CD for Advent.
My husband and I worked with Bob to select songs for our wedding. We first heard several songs we chose at Sunday Masses while parishioners. Bob blessed our nuptial Mass with his music, accompanied by other musicians, including my stepdaughter, a budding clarinetist. Bob’s presence provided continuity between the spirituality of weekly Masses and the sacredness of this sacrament.
The Second Bob
I first met the second Bob at a local Catholic high school. Bob taught Science and Math. My husband also taught Math so they spent many years eating lunch, attending meetings, and singing at Mass together during the school’s Friday liturgies. I doubt whether many Catholic high schools enjoy such excellent music.
We registered in a different parish when our second daughter approached school age. We left one Bob for the second. Bob led the music at the vigil Mass on Saturday nights at our new parish and Sunday mornings at a second parish. He played at weddings and funerals. Bob had at least one brother and sister who were musical and at times they played together. Bob was very busy but miraculously he never seemed stressed.
Thousands of people in this community fondly remember Bob’s playing and singing and will feel his loss as a person and musician. My husband and I repeatedly tried to convince Bob to bless us and record his music because so many of us had prayed with his voice over the years. Likely, out of modesty, he declined. I know that right now, I wish I had such a recording.
I thought that one of Bob’s most beautiful pieces was his rendition of “Ave Maria,” singing along with the piano. When my husband and I attended the funeral of another musician, Juan, Bob sat with us. Juan’s son sang “Ave Maria” and we listened as Bob sang along beautifully right beside us. This will continue to be a precious memory.
Gratitude for Musical Gifts
I am grateful that God gave these two Bobs the gifts to play and sing and thank them both for using their talent to bless us.
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