Author: Bill Freeman

Recognized for bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary Catholic liturgical music, William Paul Freeman is a highly sought after organist, conductor, and music educator based out of Las Vegas. He currently serves as the Director of Music at the fastest growing Catholic Church in America, St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Organist at Guardian Angel Cathedral, and Director of Guitar Studies at The Mojave High School. He is the founding Chapter Director for the National Pastoral Musicians' Chapter in the Diocese of Las Vegas and Sub-Dean of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Freeman has been featured on SiriusXM's "The Catholic Guy Show with Lino Rulli," and various Catholic and secular media, and has provided music, as an arranger, conductor, and organist, for several nationally televised Catholic liturgies. An accomplished organist, Mr. Freeman has performed on some of the finest organs in the world including the 1876 Hook & Hasting Centennial Organ in Buffalo, New York. He has performed under luminary conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Yoav Talmi, and Robert Duerr. He made is own conducting debut in sold-out performances of Stephen Sondheim's thriller "Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Fleet Street." Mr. Freeman holds an undergraduate degree in organ and liturgical music, a Master of Education, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration, and a Certificate in Roman Catholic Theology and Liturgical Music. He completed his musical studies at the Eastman School of Music, Canisius College, George Mason University, Notre Dame, UNLV, and George Mason University. He is licensed in K-12 Music, K-8 General Education, and K-12 School Administration. Freeman lives in Henderson with his wife, Jovita Rose, and their cocker spaniel, Peanut.
Jeanne McFarlane Is Retiring Back to Wisconsin

Jeanne McFarlane Is Retiring Back to Wisconsin

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I come to you yet again with more news regarding personnel changes here at St. Anthony of Padua. This time, Jeanne McFarlane, the longest-tenured staff member at the parish, is leaving to return to family in northern Wisconsin.

For many of you, Jeanne was your first contact with our parish. She has greeted thousands of new parishioners, visitors, and workers as our front desk receptionist since the beginning of the parish. Jeanne joined our staff during the summer of 2006 and was on-hand Sunday, October 15, 2006 for our very first Mass at Centennial High School—which is also her birthday.

Over the years, Jeanne has become a fixture in our parish community. She has been with us through the ups, the downs, the happy moments, the sad moments, and the downright bizarre moments.

The lay employees of the Catholic faith are truly the unsung heroes of the faith. Every day the lay employees of the Church provide witness to our faith by working so diligently, patiently, persistently, and silently behind the scenes to run our parish efficiently and make our liturgies so beautiful and fitting for God. Without them, I have no idea where we priests would be.

For some of you, Jeanne was the voice you heard when anxiously calling the parish to schedule an anointing for your loved one about to depart life. For others, Jeanne was the person who took down the information of new parents excited to get their little one baptized. Jeanne collected the mail, managed our parish database, and provided me counsel on more occasions than I would probably care to admit. She was always there for me and for you in service for our Lord.

When I told her that I would be composing a letter, she begged me not to. She finally agreed after I conceded to talking about volunteerism in the parish.

Coming out of this pandemic, we are going to need a lot more help. As of right now, our parish is the fastest growing church in the Diocese of Las Vegas. We need help. We need volunteers to help as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, greeters, and temperature takers. Once we get the go-ahead, we’re going to need volunteers to join our choirs, bring Eucharist to the homebound, feed and clothe the poor, and plainly just serve one another for the greater Glory of God. Many of our volunteers fall in the elderly category. We truly are in need for our Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z parishioners to step-up, if you haven’t already done so.

Barbara Sheehan will continue working at the front window, and Katy Moses will be joining her.

Please take a moment to join me in thanking Jeanne for her service to the people of God at St. Anthony and pray for her as she begins this next chapter of her life closer to family.

Thank you, Jeanne, for all that you have done in–service of your Lord.

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  • Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
    Reading 1 Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff,the flock of your inheritance,That dwells apart in a woodland,in the midst of Carmel.Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,as in the days of old;As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,show us wonderful signs.Who is there like you, the God […]