Favorite songs inspire a priest and a mom in their call to serve God

Father Rick Ginther prepares to share his vocal gifts in singing “At the Name of Jesus” in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in Indianapolis (Photo by John Shaughnessy)

(Editor’s note: The Criterion has invited you, our readers, to share a song that has led you into a deeper level of faith, humanity or love. Here are two of the songs—and why they are special—that have been shared so far.)

One in an occasional series
 

By John Shaughnessy

As he talks about his favorite song, its marching rhythm suddenly fills Father Rick Ginther, leading him to start singing it with great joy.

When the impromptu concert ends, Father Ginther’s face still glows with delight as he shares what makes the song—“At the Name of Jesus”—so special to him.

Part of it is the music: “It is majestic music. It marches to the end of each verse.”

Part of it is its connection to Philippians 2:6-11 and its focus on Christ becoming human, humbling himself and dying on the cross—all leading to God the Father exalting him in heaven and on Earth.

Then there is this part, a universal one that connects people to their favorite song:

“Every time I hear it, lots of memories come back,” says Father Ginther, director of the archdiocese’s Office of Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs.

“I discovered it at Saint Meinrad Seminary when I was a student there back in the ’60s and early ’70s. It was in this green English hymnal. It was wonderful.

“And the song has followed me over the years. When I was at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, the music director interviewed every new student and had us audition. He wanted to hear our voice and how he could help.

“I opened the hymnal to number 30, and there it was. I sang one verse, and he just stopped. He said, ‘Oh, my, you can sing. Well then, you’ll be the cantor tomorrow for Mass.’ I said, ‘No, I’m new to the seminary, and I don’t want to be known for my voice. I just want to complete seminary. I’m pursuing ordination.’ ”

Father Ginther recalls how the music director hesitated for a moment before saying, “Hmmm. You’re the cantor for Mass tomorrow.”

Father Ginther smiles and says, “The song holds a special memory.”

‘Do you want me to take on more?’

In the hymn, “Here I Am, Lord,” the lyric, “I will go, Lord, if you lead me,” resonates with Gabrielle Neal.

That lyric kept surfacing in her thoughts when she was approached earlier this year about leading Catholic Charities Indianapolis by David Bethuram, who has served as executive director of both Catholic Charities in the archdiocese and Catholic Charities Indianapolis for more than 10 years.

“I was thinking about this song when this job opened,” says Neal, a 1999 graduate of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and a 2003 graduate of Saint Mary’s College in northern Indiana. “I have five small kids. I was asking God, ‘Do you want me to take on more?’ And I was getting this resounding, ‘Go where I’m leading.’

“My whole life actually has been kind of going by that—really trying to listen or let God lead me in a direction. So, I just have to keep trusting in that.”

Neal decided to take the position, one she has embraced.

“I feel this pull to keep saying ‘yes’ to God, even when I’m stretched thin and being pulled in every direction,” she says. “It’s not really about how much I can handle. It’s deeper than that. It’s about staying centered and listening to God. He has never failed me.”

To hear Father Ginther sing “At the Name of Jesus,” use the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/GintherSong
 

(Whether it’s a song from popular culture or from a church hymnal, you are invited to share your story of how that song has led you to a deeper level of faith, humanity or love. Send your story and song(s) to John Shaughnessy at jshaughnessy@archindy.org or by mail in care of The Criterion, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Please include your parish and a daytime phone number where you can be reached.) †