Preparations are underway for “The Passion of Christ at the Cathedral” concert to benefit St. Joseph Cathedral.
It is the second year for the concert that begins the observation of Holy Week while raising money for the St. Joseph Cathedral Endowment.
“We can’t think of a better way to do that than in the context of the Cathedral,” said Mark Conzemius, executive director of Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota, which is coordinating the concert. “It’s really going to be an extraordinary experience.”
Extraordinary because this year, the South Dakota Symphony Strings will again perform under the direction of musical director Henry Charles Smith.
“He’s arranged special music for them and we are going to feature, along with the music, selected still images from the movie “The Passion of the Christ,” said Conzemius.
The performance will also feature soloist Tim Clark, a professional singer from Omaha and local actor Tom Roberts.
Clark has performed as part of the Christmas at the Cathedral concerts in the past. “He has one of the richest, deepest voices that you will hear,” Conzemius said.
Roberts will be sharing some contemporary reflections on applying Jesus’ passion to our everyday lives.
This year, the concert will be performed at the Cathedral on Saturday, March 19 (the day before Palm Sunday) at 1:30 p.m.
The concert will again be televised on UTV (cable channel 10 on the Midcontinent Communications cable systems).
The concert is another opportunity for people in the community to help build the endowment for the ongoing care and maintenance of St. Joseph Cathedral, similar to the “Christmas at the Cathedral” concerts held each December.
Last year’s inaugural event was successful, according to Conzemius.
Avera Health is underwriting the concert as a sponsor for the event.
Tickets for the concert are available for a recommended donation of $20 and a recommended donation of $15 for senior citizens and students.
For tickets or more information, contact the Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota at 605-988-3788 or 1-800-246-3386 or at www.sfcatholic.org.