Monday, October 16, 2006
First LifeTeen Now Priest Band
Are Kansas-siders wondering what happened to their nice, buttoned-down archdiocese? This from CNS:
If that pulsing beat and those screaming guitars are driving you crazy at night, think twice before calling the cops on those rock-star wannabes jammin' out down the street. You might just find your pastor singing lead. That's right. Four priests of the Archdiocese of Kansas City -- three of them pastors -- and a layman studying for the permanent diaconate have been putting in the after-hours lately, rehearsing for their next gig. In fact, the three pastors -- Fathers Ken Kelly, Mark Mertes and John Reynolds -- are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their combination oldies-rock group called the Priest Band. The group's first gig was at a parish appreciation dinner and ice cream social at St. Joseph Parish in Olpe, said Father Mertes, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park. Now joined by the associate pastor of Cure of Ars Parish in Leawood, Father Kent O'Connor, and a diaconate candidate, Carl Parry, the Priest Band is rehearsing for several scheduled appearances in the upcoming months.I interviewed with Fr Mark several years ago. Maybe I should've downplayed my love for jazz and early music.
