Cathedral choir of Malverne church sings at CitiField

    The choir of Malverne's Cathedral Church of the Intercessor graced a special day of celebration at Citifield, home of the New York Mets Major League Baseball team.
    That day was April 19, Jackie Robinson Day. It was a day that commemorated the special contribution of baseball legend Jackie Robinson to the nation’s history and spiritual well-being. Robinson was the first African-American man to play major league baseball, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. He faced down threats and insults while establishing a solid record as one of baseball’s most gifted players, and broke the stronghold of racism over American sports.
    The celebration of Robinson’s life at Citifield on April 19 included an appearance by his wife, Rachel, who heads the Jackie Robinson foundation. The baseball teams (Mets vs. Chicago Cubs) were distinguishable only by uniform color: all players on both sides wore Robinson’s number, 42, on their backs.
    Around 6:30 p.m., blaring loudspeakers announced that there to help them celebrate Jackie Robinson Day was the Church of the Intercessor Choir, which launched into a brisk, powerful rendition of Ron Kenoly’s “Ancient of Days,” conducted by Father Joe Ciccarello, head of the Intercessor Music Ministry and Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Intercessor. Choir and band member Paul Ammendola sang the solo.
    Modern technology made it possible for the choir not just to be heard, but also seen. As the praises resounded throughout the stadium, the choir appeared on a gigantic screen overlooking center field, their black uniforms with red and white collars crisp and their faces joyful in the sunlight.
    The piece concluded and the choir then began a song most fitting for the theme of the day: “We Can Make a Difference,” by Mark Heimermann and David Mullen. Associate Director of Music and Creative Arts Kelly Tanza conducted this one, with solo parts sung by Victoria Perrone.
    Loud and genuine applause greeted the ending of the song. Their performance concluded, the music ministry members joined Archbishop Craig Bates, his wife Cathy, and about 100 other Intercessor members to watch the Mets win, 6-1.