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News
Steve Angrisano to Visit JSHS on October 4
JSHS welcomes Steve Angrisano on October 4th for 4 sessions with religious studies classes on leadership and service in an ever changing world. At lunch there will be a session open to the community on leadership and service in the Church.
Steve Angrisano is recognized as one of the most dynamic and effective communicators with Christian youth in the country. A singer, songwriter and storyteller, Steve creates relevant, dynamic music for liturgy and listening, proclaiming that through Christ we have the power to carry out God’s work.
Steve's unique blend of laughter, song, story and often hilarious audience interaction have made him a popular choice for parish missions, concerts, workshops and youth events. He's been featured at major youth events nationally and internationally, including two World Youth Days, four National Catholic Youth Conferences and countless parish, school, camp and diocesan events. Steve has also worked extensively as a ropes course instructor and youth ministry trainer and has given workshops at both National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministers and National Catholic Youth Conference events.
A parish musician, music director and youth minister for 11 years, Steve’s focus is, and has always been, one of honest ministry. There is an unmistakable awareness that Steve is not a performer. What he shares, both in story and song, is a witness of the love and life of Jesus.
Steve lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with his wife, Jenni, and three children.
“Let Your Love Come Down”The Holy Spirit blessed the Justin-Siena High School Community at a Music Rally on September 1st and opening school year Mass on September 2nd. Josh Blakesley, a nationally acclaimed Catholic musician from Alexandria, Louisiana, led our community in energizing song, quiet prayer, and inspirational storytelling at the music rally. Director of Campus Ministry Mr. Andy Hodges said: “the music rally was an engaging way to gather students, teach, and rehearse the music sung at the next day’s Mass of the Holy Spirit. Active participation and prayer at the Mass of the Holy Spirit was one of the goals of the music rally.” The gathering song for Mass rehearsed at the rally was Blakesley’s “Let your love come down.” The school prayed and sang together: “I will stand and wait with hands lifted high in praise. Make this a heavenly place. Let your love come to me, O Lord. I trust in your holy Word. I long to see your face.”
The Patrons’ Plaza became a “heavenly place” where the presence of God was most evident for Mass. Sarah Francke, a Director of Lasallian Student Life and Mass planner said: “We try to make worship a full sensory experience at Justin-Siena. At our recent Mass of the Holy Spirit students were surrounded by a variety of elements that contributed to a spiritual atmosphere.” The pillars of the plaza were lined with traditional colors of the Holy Spirit, red, yellow, orange, and white while students led a procession of fiery flags as we gathered for liturgy. Our prayers rose to the heavens with burning incense and a dove release to close the liturgy. The community was sprinkled (some would say,”soaked”) with holy water by the youngest priest in California, Father Adam Kotas of St. Francis Solano of Sonoma.
Justin-Siena High School classes all begin with students speaking,” Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God.” The music rally and Mass of the Holy Spirit were just another example of God’s presence, blessing, and love made visible among us.
Josh Blakesley to Visit Justin-Siena
We call upon the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we enter a new school year and we welcome Josh’s presence and talents among us.
Joshua’s Christian music journey began in 1992 while he was involved with a high school peer ministry team. During that time, he saw the power of God at work in the lives of many teens as they were transformed into believers and lovers of Jesus Christ. It was then that Josh realized the impact and the power of true praise and worship music in his own walk with Jesus.
He vowed to be “sold out” for Christ and to use his gift of writing music to glorify God. In a world where well-produced secular music is dominant, Josh has dedicated himself to making quality contemporary Catholic music. In addition, he is committed to spreading the Gospel through dynamic speaking and personal testimony.
In 1993, Josh was a praise and worship leader for the papal visit at World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado. He has led music for the past 10 years at various Steubenville Youth Conferences throughout the U.S. He has worked as a musician with the Catholic Heart Work Camps and Life Teen Camps. Josh has contributed songs to several compilation albums, including Steubenville’s 1999 Out of the Jungle CD, and the 2004 spiritandsong.com CD Live It!
In 2003, Josh released his first solo album, Immersed, which includes original songs written mostly from his real life experiences that he encountered during his years in the youth and music industry. A common thread in his lyrics is how one can never be the same again after experiencing a real and true communion with the Living God. There’s no doubt that Josh’s life was forever changed when he decided to answer his call to service and ministry.
In addition to composing and recording his music, Josh serves as the young adult coordinator and assistant music director at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. He travels many weekends to other parishes and dioceses throughout the United States performing concerts, conducting workshops for musicians, speaking at youth rallies and conferences, as well as leading praise and worship for audiences and congregations.
Josh and his wife Heather live in Alexandria, Louisiana with their daughter Sophie and son Sutton.
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