By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Angie Traylor said over the past 40 years, it “has been a true blessing and joy” to share her love of music with the parishioners of St. Peter Parish in Montgomery, as well as their wonderful choir family.
The music director and organist for St. Peter Parish, Traylor first played the organ for the parish at a 9 a.m. Mass in 1986. She joined the Catholic Church in 1978, and has played the organ at St. Peter Parish since 1986, a role she continues to hold at the parish. She also was the organist at the Presbyterian Church in Washington from 1980-1997.
Traylor said she truly believes music is a beautiful way to give praise and glory to God. Each week, she works to choose music that reflects the Scripture readings and liturgical season, helping to enhance the worship experience, she said.
“One of the greatest blessings in music ministry has been hearing parishioners tell me that a particular hymn touched them in a special way,” she said. “Knowing that God has used the gift of music to inspire or comfort someone is incredibly meaningful to me. It has been a true blessing and joy to share my love of music with the parishioners of St. Peter Catholic Church and with our wonderful choir family over the past 40 years.”
Father Jim Koressel, senior priest of the diocese, worked with Traylor for 17 years at St. Peter Parish. Father Koressel said he and Traylor “had a deep respect for one another.” In his time at the parish, Traylor was dependable, talented and willing to make their liturgies real acts of worship and praise, Father Koressel said.
“In my infrequent visits to the parish after retirement, we relished time for visiting,” Father Koressel said. “Angie loved to play and I loved to sing. When Mass began, all was for the honor and glory of God. We each gave back to God what he had given us. Through it all, the people of St. Peter Montgomery rendered fitting praise to their God. What else is there to do?”
Father Stephen McGinnis, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Montgomery, said the key to having a great parish is great liturgies, and to have a great liturgy, it is necessary to have wonderful music. St. Peter Parish has been blessed over the decades to have Traylor as both the parish’s music director and organist, Father McGinnis said.
“She has been able to include all the musical talent in our parish and select music that complements the readings and that our parishioners can sing,” Father McGinnis said. “As an organist, she is as good as it gets. It is a great relief as a pastor to know that I can be certain that Angie will have our music running at a high level.”