Musical group draws its final curtain

Mary's Veil and the Lost Apostle troupe is taking a break

- photo supplied Actors in Sandra Brenneis' Lost Apostle are preparing for their seven upcoming performances in February.

By SANDRA BRENNEIS
Special to the WCR
Villeneuve

Looking back at the last six years, I am amazed, proud, inspired and often moved to tears by the miracle in which I have been surrounded. As our group and our time draws to some form of close, I feel a deep desire to let everyone know who and what it is that has created this profound and beautiful experience.

A miracle

As with all miracles, it begins with an idea surrounded by people who ignore barriers and see possibilities. Six years ago, the idea was to raise money for an assisted living complex which would provide affordable housing for seniors in the West Sturgeon Area.

So I wrote the music for Mary's Veil. This musical would tell the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her life as a woman, wife, and mother. It would remind us all that she lived, breathed, shared joy and pain and understood what it meant to serve humanity with faith, hope and love.

Although the musical was successful on many levels, what underscored each success was the beauty of the hearts of each person involved. Their dedication and sharing of talents spoke of their own acts of faith, hope and charity.

There were challenging times - times when any one of us might have succumbed to pettiness, gossip, frustration or fear that is almost innate when you spend thousands of hours with a group of people. But when tensions rose, it was always quickly followed by loving reminders, much laughter, smiles, hugs and encouragement.

Stay committed

This group always seemed to rise above what could have stopped us in our tracks. Because they always remembered - it wasn't about our personal success or experience. We were a part of something much greater and we were privileged for that.

Sandra Brenneis

When I thought our time might be drawing to a close at the end of the Mary's Veil run, I was quick to learn the bounds of generosity of this group. They committed once again to Lost Apostle, my second musical, which opened last year to seven sell out shows and was followed by the intense time commitment required to make a CD.

It is the story of the present day struggle to find meaning, and the realization that meaning is most greatly received through hands of love and service. It was not intentional, but certainly not coincidental, that the story has become a metaphor of the service of the people who perform it.

Every time our cast performs the finale song Be Inspired, I feel deeply the power of what they have given to all of us who listen. They are an example of inspired living that has defiantly changed my world.

But the time has come for our group to breathe in other things, perhaps just for a while, and to take a break from the huge demands of our performances. February 2007 will end a six-year story of faith, hope and charity as lived by these people whom I love.

An opening, a closing

Isn't it fitting that the opening of the assisted living facility, which gave us the purpose to be more than I ever imagined, will quickly follow the close of our show? Though it is the end of our season, their service and love will continue, as it always has, perhaps just reaching out in different directions.

I am sure we are not unique. I know of many others, and many other communities, who live daily to make our world better, healthier, more loving and gentle.

But I need to say to those who attribute Mary's Veil or Lost Apostle success to me, that I have been the lucky one. These people have blessed me, inspired me and bring me such joy and hope. They have included me in the legacy of love their lives have built and I thank God for the great honour and privilege of being a part of their miracle.

Call Simonne at 458-0908 for tickets for Lost Apostle or a CD of the music. The show runs Feb. 3 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Feb 4 at 2:30 and 7:30, Feb 10 at 7:30, and Feb 11 at 2:30 and 7:30.

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