As the 11:45 a.m. Choir enters a new chapter, I want to pause to give thanks for the extraordinary legacy of Joe Clare and for more than 40 years of his faithful service to the St. Mark faith community.
Although I have been blessed to serve as pastor of St. Mark for only the past two years, I have quickly come to appreciate the deep history of faith, friendship, and service that has shaped our parish. The story of what is affectionately known as the “11:00 Something Choir” is a beautiful part of that history.
Over the decades, three individuals remained at the heart of this ministry: Bob and Mary Lou McIntire and Joe Clare. Bob and Mary Lou helped build and sustain the choir for more than 50 years, while Joe joined in 1983 and went on to lead the choir for 25 years, first alongside Kim Sisk and later on his own.
As early as 2019, Bob and Joe had begun discussing retirement, but their deep love for St. Mark and commitment to its people led them to continue serving well beyond their original plans. Through the years, they provided generations of parishioners with joyful and participatory music that enriched our worship and helped build a vibrant community of faith.
Just as importantly, Joe’s leadership helped inspire and mentor new generations of liturgical musicians, ensuring that the gift of this ministry will continue to flourish.
Joe expressed beautifully what this ministry has meant to him and to Bob and Mary Lou: “All three of us are incredibly grateful to the people and priests of Saint Mark over the decades for supporting the ‘11:00 Something Choir,’ and we thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve our Saint Mark Faith Community in a joyful music ministry.”
I am grateful to Joe, Bob, and Mary Lou for the many ways they have given of themselves to St. Mark. Their decades of dedication, friendship, and joyful service are a gift to our parish and a reminder that the life of a parish is built over many years by people who generously share their time and talents.
On behalf of the entire St. Mark Parish community, I offer my heartfelt thanks to Joe Clare, Bob McIntire, and Mary Lou McIntire. We are grateful not only for the music they have given us, but for the faith, joy, and love for this parish that have accompanied it. Their legacy will continue to bless St. Mark for many years to come.
Peace & Prayers,
Fr. Peter
“Sing to the Lord with joy; serve the Lord with gladness.”
Psalm 100
