December 4

Leighton Concert Hall


Lift your voice with Tim Purnell, a senior engineering student, as he reflects on his connection to Leighton Concert Hall and his time as a member of the Glee Club.

“I often feel delighted by our songs, by which I mean I experience an ineffable feeling of joy when singing them. Though I first learned these songs in my secular high school choir, it wasn’t until later I realized they were Mass settings and Marian devotions. Now when I sing them, I feel my own Mass-going experience is enhanced, but I also feel a connection to the sacred no matter the setting. When I sing, I sing to the glory of God, whether it is in the Basilica or in DPAC [DeBartolo Performing Arts Center].”

In this season of Advent, how can we nurture our own spiritual edification and find delight in the ways in which we connect with God?

 

22 comments

  1. Beautiful, eloquent and uplifting,Tim! Students like you are what make Notre Dame the extraordinary community that it is. I’m sure you sing as “delightfully” as you speak, and I pray you will continue to share your gifts, insights and faith with the world beyond Notre Dame!

  2. We hosted Tim in March 2020 when The Notre Dame Glee Club came and had a beautiful performance in Atlanta. He was a delightful young man and an extremely talented singer! What a blessing that the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center is a special sacred place for him. Well done, Tim. May God continue to bless you.

  3. Lifting our voices to praise the Lord is a spiritual act. Your reflection made me realize no matter the setting, it is sacred and should be done with joy and hope no matter what the season. Thank you, Tim, for this beautiful reflection.

  4. Attended the Glee Club concert in Zionsville in October—thank you—a memorable evening of beautiful music.
    ND Parent

  5. I pray your future be bright – it already is. Happy advent and thank you for your beautiful message.
    ND mom

  6. Thank you Tim, for this beautiful reflection. I too have felt the joy of “touching the face of God” through music, often sacred, but sometimes secular, always through the single or collective voices of those God has blessed with this talent. You are wise beyond your years. God bless you.

  7. Tim,
    It is young people like you that give me hope for the future of our country and of our Catholic Church! Thank you and God bless!

  8. Judd & Mary Morris Leighton were wonderful friends for many years and would be honored by your fondness and reverence of the Leighton Concert Hall—Merry Christmas! 🌲🍀

  9. What a wonderful sentiment, and so sincerely delivered. Thanks Tim. You may never know how many you have inspired or touched.

  10. Tim,

    The Notre Dame Club of Eastern Illinois thanks you for your comments and more importantly thanks you and the Glee Club for your gifts during the time before Covid and more importantly for your continued gifts during Covid. Your music has both sustained and inspired us. Your music has given us hope. We are grateful for your gifts during this Christmas Season.

    God bless you. Have a Holy Christmas.
    J

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