By Joan Stumborg
The Comfort Singers are based out of the Church of Our Lady in Moose Jaw. Though ecumenical in its makeup, the group is primarily the Church of Our Lady Saturday Night Choir with additional members from the community: Lutheran, Anglican, and United. Originally, the group was formed with a mission to “Provide religious and secular music for the sick, isolated or dying whether at home, hospital or hospice.” When COVID restricted the Comfort Singers’ ability to minister to individuals, the group expanded their mandate to provide music in care homes, outside care facilities, in the front yards of people, and in retirement communities.
Offerings of music vary depending on the season and requests from individuals within the care homes or retirement communities. The goal is to use our gift of music and song to engage, entertain and comfort. At a day program in Moose Jaw, the Comfort Singers even provide some live dance music to get people up and moving, grooving in their wheelchairs, tapping on the tables, clapping their hands, joining in actions, and singing. One man, who has dementia and very little functional memory, requested a specific Elvis song. He sang every word to the shock and delight of his medical team.
The Comfort Singers were performing O Holy Night during our Christmas caroling session in one care facility when a woman joined us in singing. When she closed her eyes, it was evident that memories of Christmases past were washing over her. When she could no longer remember the words, she hummed along with tears rolling down her cheeks. The Comfort Singers wrote a parody of a well-known song to change it to being about God’s love for others, and, on Valentine’s Day during COVID restrictions, the group went to people’s front yards to sing it so people knew they were not alone. Music touches the soul, moves the spirit, and draws on memories. Music makes a difference.
The music of the Comfort Singers is a unique form of outreach to members of our Catholic community who reside in various care facilities, retirement homes, and the larger community. The Comfort Singers have even gone on the road, when requested, to sing for individuals in the Regina General Hospital, the Gravelbourg Care Home, and, during COVID restrictions, on the front grounds of the Dr. Wigmore Hospital in Moose Jaw when a member of the group was dying and was wheeled out for a personal concert. Days later, we sang her “home.”
There is a saying attributed to St. Augustine and others that “When you sing, you pray twice.” The Comfort Singers, based out of Church of Our Lady, are definitely embracing that form of prayer in their outreach to the Catholic community and the people of Moose Jaw.
If you are interested in booking the Comfort Singers free of charge for loved ones at home, in hospital, or hospice, or for a senior care facility, home, or outdoor venue, call Joan at 306-630-5249
