Page 15 - LOTN Autumn Issue 48 2021

FAITH IN ACTION
Singing praises with Aberdeen African Choir

The Aberdeen African Choir at St Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen

BY PATRICIA MALIKEBU & KEN UYABEME provide virtual recordings for Masses and satisfy requests
from charity organisations.
hat a beautiful and blessed journey it has Currently, the choir leads music on the second Sunday of
been for the Aberdeen African Choir (AAC) the month at the Aberdeen African Community Masses at
which was formed 15 years ago following St Columba's church in Aberdeen, and on the third Sunday
Wan inner nudge during Sunday Mass at of the month at the choir’s base, St Mary’s Cathedral,
St Joseph’s Parish, Aberdeen. It would not have been alternately at the 11am or 6pm Mass. We hope, with time,
possible if it were not for God the Holy Spirit, our the Choir will return to its quarterly visits to other parishes
teacher, the comforter and guide. For this we give within the diocese.
all glory, honour, adoration and praise to God the The aim of the AAC is to evangelise to the world through
Almighty, the Rock on which this choir is built. music from our beautiful African cultures. The choir is
From its inception it was evident that God had great plans composed of Catholic students, professionals, reverend
for the AAC. We have continually received encouragement sisters and those interested in finding out more about the
from our clergy-led parishioners and our families who faith. Though we are predominantly, people of African
have never stopped cheering us on. We have had some origin, colour is no barrier to becoming a member. We
challenges, mainly related to membership which we still welcome all those who share our passion. Our cultures are
face, especially due to the downturn in the oil and gas diverse, with members coming from nine different African
industry which has forced a good number of our committed
members to relocate to other parts of the world. However,
these difficulties may also be seen as a blessing in disguise
for the choir, the catalyst encouraging us to fully trust
in the Lord while remaining determined to serve in His
vineyard to the best of our ability. We have come to know
and believe that God cannot be outdone in His graces. He
has always provided for us with new talented young men
and women. As St Paul says in his letter to the Romans (5:
2-5), challenges produce endurance, character and hope.
We strongly believe that, through these experiences, the
choir has grown in character and its hope has not been
disappointed as we look forward to even greater things to
come. This has even been evidenced with the challenges
posed by Covid-19. The pandemic did not stop the Choir
in her mission. Using "Zoom" meetings we were able to
The Aberdeen African Choir's first CD was launched in August
Page 15