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| Organists Kassandra Palzkill (14), Caleb Mitchell (17), and Dominic Mailloux (13) provide music for Masses at the Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul Parish in Mineral Point and St. Philomena Parish in Belmont. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash |
MINERAL POINT — “It’s just a great joy to see these young people stepping forward and to see Catholic youth in action.”
Those are the words of Fr. Monte Robinson, the proud pastor of the Congregation of St. Mary/St. Paul Parish in Mineral Point and St. Philomena Parish in Belmont.
The two linked parishes have quite a blessing — a new generation of organists — all in their teens.
They are 17-year-old Caleb Mitchell in Mineral Point along with 14-year-old Kassandra Palzkill and 13-year-old Dominic Mailloux in Belmont.
“We’re very grateful that these young people are doing this, and they’re very accomplished for their age,” said Father Robinson. “I’m just very proud of every one of them.”
Meet the organists
Mitchell, the oldest of the three, has been playing organ every Sunday at St. Mary Church in Mineral Point since December of last year. He had been playing piano since he was seven years old and had an easy time transitioning to the organ.
“It’s pretty fun; I like leading people,” said Mitchell. When parishioners find out how young he is, Mitchell said, “A lot of people are amazed, but I try to do my best.” He added his favorite part of being a parish organist is accompanying the choir at Mass.
Fourteen-year-old Kassandra Palzkill has been playing organ for Masses the longest of the three — for the past two years at St. Philomena Parish in Belmont. She also made the transition from piano to organ.
“It was pretty easy,” said Palzkill. “It feels like I’m doing some good for the Church.”
Palzkill plays organ at Mass once a month at St. Philomena.
Dominic Mailloux is the youngest of the three, at 13 years of age. He’s been playing organ at St. Philomena for about six months and, like the others, has been playing piano for a few years.
He was inspired to take up the organ after a recent family trip to Rhode Island, where they saw and heard liturgical music played on an organ in a cathedral there. His family even acquired their own 400-pound organ for the home, on which Mailloux practices.
He plays organ for Mass each first Sunday of the month. “It’s really nice; I really like playing the organ,” he said.
It all starts at home
Father Robinson credits the organists’ families for their involvement in the parishes.
“I think it’s due to the emergence of families alive for the faith,” he said, adding all three families — with parents Jon and Kristin Mitchell, Todd and Cindy Palzkill, and Mark and Jan Mailloux — are heavily involved in their parishes. Caleb and Dominic also serve at Masses.
All three organists encourage all young people to get involved in their parishes as well.
“If you’re willing to help out the Church, then go for it because anything will help,” said Mitchell.