By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent

Katie Gravelle honored for 25 years of ministry

MERRILL -- Katie Gravelle's is a familiar face to many in the diocese. Well known for her musical talents, she has sung at various diocesan functions throughout the years and is also a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission that planned the liturgy for the Jubilee Mass in Superior last September. This past August she completed 25 years of ministry to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Merrill.

In recognition of her years of devoted service to the parish, Fr. James Horath, pastor, presented her with a plaque on Sunday, Dec. 31. Her entire family, including her mother and brothers who had traveled from Michigan, were present. The award, which was a surprise to Gravelle, was presented at the Mass at which she and her family performed the music ministry.

Born in Escanaba, Mich., Gravelle grew up in a very musically talented family. Her parents sang in the church choir and all of her five brothers and one sister sing and play at least one musical instrument.

Gravelle, who besides singing, also plays piano, organ and guitar, said, "There were three things stressed by my parents -- God, family and music." Graduating from Northern Michigan University in Marquette with a degree in music education and elementary education, she found her way to St. Francis Xavier Parish through her husband, John. While accompanying him to a job interview at the Merrill Senior High School, she learned that St. Robert Bellarmine School (now St. Francis) was looking for a music teacher.

"It was an odd position to fill," said Gravelle. They were not only looking for a music teacher, but a middle school science teacher and someone who could play the organ besides. She met all the qualifications and landed the job before her husband's interview was even completed. "It was so providential," Gravelle believes.

She taught music and science at the school for three years and then left teaching to raise her family. However, she assumed the role of choir director, a position she has held for over 20 years.

In addition to working with the choir, Gravelle is also director of liturgy at St. Francis. She plans and prepares prayer services, Communion services and other liturgical functions; trains the lectors, ushers, Communion ministers and servers in their ministry roles; and plans and schedules all the music for the liturgies.

She, along with the liturgy committee, work to create a church environment that is not only pleasing to the eye but which draws the soul into worship and reverence. She also helps the school children plan liturgies for their Masses and sings and plays organ or piano for weddings and funerals.

Gravelle is actively involved in the community, sharing her musical talents. She accompanies the Merrill Senior High School choirs in the classroom and at concerts. She plays for the high school musicals, is a guest musician in various churches in the area and performs for community benefits.

Her four children likewise are all involved in music, either singing or playing instruments or both. Her oldest daughter, Stephanie, is a vocal performance major at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Like her parents before her, Gravelle encourages her own children to share their talents with others.

In reflecting upon her 25 years of ministry, Gravelle says it has evolved and grown with all of the three pastors she has served under. Each one called forth another gift from her and deepened her role as music minister, gradually unfolding into liturgical director today.

With the first pastor, Fr. James Dabruzzi, she responded to the call of stewardship, recognizing her musical talent as a gift to be shared with the community. The second pastor, Fr. James Kraker, "encouraged me to go beyond music into liturgical prayer, planning special devotions and prayer services," she said. "He taught me to love liturgy."

Under her present pastor, Fr. James Horath, Gravelle said she has once again grown in her ministry. "He has given me the confidence and trust to run the program," she said.

Her husband John, has also been very supportive and encouraging, giving her room to grow and helping at home when she couldn't be there. "His philosophy," said Gravelle, "is to put your whole heart into whatever you are doing."

Of all Gravelle's many accomplishments and talents, her greatest joy and satisfaction, however, is witnessing the members of the church fully participating in the liturgy, singing and responding wholeheartedly.

"My goal is to draw the assembly into active participation. Everything I do is aimed at that and when I hear that, it is so satisfying," she said.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001