This past January, the Notre Dame Folk Choir and the ACE program joined efforts to raise money for Catholic schools in the South. The tour was called “Allied with the Alliance: Deep South Tour 2007” and took choir members to the southern states in support of hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast, where many ACE schools had been damaged and destroyed. Their gift of music brought hope to the communities they visited and their performances raised over $55,000 in financial support to these schools.
Forty-two members of the choir traveled more than 3, 600 miles by bus to perform in the southern towns of…
Nashville, TN
Mobile, AL
St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Savannah, GA
Mepkin Abbey, SC
Charlotte, NC
Alpharetta, GA
and Columbus, OH
These cities were chosen because they had a strong financial commitment to the cause and because there was a long-standing tradition of ACE serving in these areas. With the leadership of Steve Warner, the Folk Choir used their talent for the betterment of Catholic schools…a fusion of the arts and social justice. ACE staff members, Amy Seamon (ACE 10) and Matt Kloser (ACE 9) joined the tour and spoke to the audience during the concerts about the ACE program.
The “Deep South Tour” is yet another way in which the ACE program has joined forces with others to serve Catholic schools. Josh Stagni, a member of the ND Folk Choir said it best in his reflection on the trip, “We combined our ministries to further the mission of the Church – the mission of Christ.” The money that was raised will help those schools deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina, but most importantly this money will go to the students of these schools. This tour was a sign of hope, and is proof that time and talent can make a difference.