JOLIET – “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

This quote from "A Christmas Carol" worked for Charles Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge, and it works for James Grzadzinski.

Grzadzinski, 27, is the new director of music at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. Under Grzadzinski's direction on Jan. 7, the cathedral will present, "O Come, Let Us Adore Him," a concert of choral music for Christmas and Epiphany.

The concert is the second installment of the 2016-17 Cathedral Music Series, which Grzadzinski initiated after he became director of music in August. Choral associate Michelle Gliottoni Rodriguez and associate organist Dick Siegel will assist Grzadzinski during the concert.

Its theme, Grzadzinski said, is "how a little humble child born in a manger and the example of the star guiding the wise men can transform the world."

"It's our gift to the community and a reminder to us as a people that, after the secular world takes down the tree, we are still celebrating Christmas," Grzadzinski said.

Grzadzinski said the free concert will feature music by Handel, Saint-Saëns, Darke, Willcocks, Biebl, Rutter, Nestor and French.

Traditionally, Epiphany is celebrated Jan. 6, although in some countries, the United States included, the celebration is moved to the first Sunday after Jan. 1. In western churches, Epiphany commemorates the magi's visit to the infant Jesus.

Epiphany, Grzadzinski said, is often referred to as a "little Christmas."

"Oftentimes in our lives we question, 'What can we give?' Well, we can give the gift of self,'" Grzadzinski said, adding, "How does the light of faith and the symbol of the star that guided the magi guide our lives and help us to give our lives to Christ? This will unfold throughout the program."

Grzadzinski's own life is an unfolding of his love for sacred music and where he can share that love in God's service, which began in early childhood.

A servant is born

"I remember sitting in church and admiring the organists at the parishes I attended as a little kid," Grzadzinski, who grew up in Oak Forest and now lives in Tinley Park, said. "I started playing piano at 4 and remember telling my mom, 'That's what I want to do when I grow up.'"

At age 7, Grzadzinski occasionally assisted the organist during Mass. By high school, Grzadzinski was the assistant organist at Queen of Martyrs Church in Evergreen Park.

Grzadzinski majored in music at St. Xavier University in Chicago with an emphasis on piano and composition. He spent nine years working in the Archdiocese of Chicago before coming to the cathedral, Grzadzinski's dream since he was a small boy.

"I was always inspired to lead such talented choirs and wonderful musicians in a space that really captures the immensity of God," Grzadzinski said.

Although Grzadzinski would like to marry one day, raise a family and be ordained as a permanent deacon, he also considers music ministry as as much a vocation as religious life.

"There's definitely a call from God that impels this," Grzadzinski said. "Without this call and faith, this would just be music."

Grzadzinski hopes the music presented Jan. 7 will work to deepen the attendees' faith, transform their lives and give a sense they've "come home." Popular Christmas music stresses "coming home" for Christmas and sacred Christmas music does the same, he said.

"The church is really our beacon to come home, to come to God," Grzadzinski said. "If we have God at the center our lives everything falls into place."

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KNOW MORE

According to the Cathedral of St. Raymond website, James Grzadzinski, the cathedral's new director of music:

• Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in music and an honors diploma from St. Xavier University in May 2012.

• Reflected his interests in sacred music and theological aesthetics in his honors thesis “Cathedral of the Forest: A Musical and Philosophical Discourse on an Original Score."

• Continued graduate studies in liturgy at the Catholic Theological Union, graduating with a graduate certificate in liturgical studies in May 2016.

• Previously served as principal organist/associate conductor, at St. Linus in Oak Lawn (September 2008 to October 2011) and as music director at Sacred Heart in Palos Hills (October 2011 to July 2015).

• Was the founding artistic and musical director of the Sacred Heart Summer Music Series, which included the presentation of major choral works such as the "Fauré Requiem."

• Performed with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, and is active as a recitalist, speaker and lecturer in the Chicago area.

• Had his works performed by the Sacred Heart Cantori, St. Linus Chamber Ensemble and Southwest Symphony Orchestra.

• Has published his works. His organ piece "Orationem cum jubilo" is forthcoming from Paraclete Press, while his Lenten introit "You Are Merciful to All, O Lord" has been accepted for publication by Oregon Catholic Press.

• Is a member of the American Guild of Organists (Southwest Suburban Chapter), the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians and the Southwest Pastoral Musicians.

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IF YOU GO

WHAT:  “O Come, Let Us Adore Him”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 7

WHERE: Cathedral of St. Raymond, 604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet

ETC: A concert of choral music for Christmas and Epiphany. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the cathedral choirs.

INFO: Call the music office at 815-722-6653 ext. 222, email music@straymond.net or visit www.straymond.net.