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Vander Wielens put musical talents to work at church
NEENAH — Marty and Pat VanderWielen, married 51 years, have been living lives of service as long as they can remember. "Even in grade school I was in charge of ushering in church and was the captain of the safety patrol squad," said Marty. Pat studied piano and organ with the sisters at St. Therese Elementary School and started playing organ in church when she was very young.
Music has been an integral part of the couple's lives for decades. They consider it to be their ministry. "I taught piano, I had 40 or 50 kids at one time when my two daughters and son were at St. Bernadette's," recalled Pat.
Marty and Pat Vander Wielen (Amanda Lauer | For The Compass)
Marty studied directing, taught music and for 40 years had a band. He also writes liturgical music. "I arrange music, I write music for a private individual, and I write instrumental arrangements for the St. Bernadette Seraphim Choir," he said.
The VanderWielens joined St. Bernadette Parish when it opened 50 years ago. "We practically live over there," said Pat, who began playing organ while Marty served as usher and played bass with the folk guitar group. "There were times she would play the 8 a.m. Mass and run home, leave the engine running and jump out and I'd play the next Mass," said Marty.
In addition to the bass, Marty also plays the guitar, piano, accordion and a little saxophone and drums.
Marty directs the Seraphim Choir, a group of 25 "very committed vocalists," and Pat plays the organ for the choir. They are both on the parish worship committee, planning retreats and other events. Pat is one of four liturgical ministers at St. Bernadette.
"We plan the music and prepare the liturgies for Mass. Great care must be taken in the selection of music for liturgical seasons and feasts. Good liturgies don't just happen, it takes planning, prayer and a lot of work," Pat noted. She plays the organ for Masses, weddings and funerals, trains cantors and rehearses with them, schedules musicians, and plays the organ for the weekly school Masses.
Your Catholic Neighbor
Name: Marty and Pat Vander Wielen
Parish: St. Bernadette, Appleton
Favorite saint: Marty: "Blessed Martin. I was named after him." Pat: St. Teresa of Avila.
Words to live by: "Christ came on this earth to serve, not be served."
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"I'm at St. Bernadette's every Monday and Wednesday for the music classes. I teach children the music for Mass. Monday I have the fourth and fifth graders and on Wednesday I have the entire school," said Pat. She and Marty are both extraordinary minister of holy Communion.
On any given weekend Pat and Marty attend as many as five Masses. In addition to all the work they do at St. Bernadette, they share their talents at Sacred Heart Parish. Pat plays the organ for the cantors and the Sacred Heart children's choir and she assists with Stations of the Cross. Marty directs the Sacred Heart men's choir.
"Many times we're playing for Masses but there's a lot of homework involved," said Marty. "We have to study the music to make sure we do it right, Pat sits at the piano and makes sure she has all the pages ready. Every Wednesday we have a rehearsal for the St. Bernadette Choir. Every Thursday I have rehearsal with the men's choir at Sacred Heart."
The VanderWielens said going above and beyond the call of duty is part of their service to the church. "(We) give glory to God and build community through music," said Pat. They play at a local nursing home several times a year and Marty plays the accordion at Xavier High School's Food Fest every May, accompanying students who serenade the crowds. When friends, including fellow choir members or parishioners, are sick, they visit them and bring them food.
Words attributed to Mother Teresa have a special meaning for both Marty and Pat and describe how they live their lives. "It's not what you believe, it's what you do."
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