Man behind the Organ

Thomas Delessio began playing the organ at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in New Jersey eight and a half years ago and is very well known as a choral director and music accompanist in the Diocese of Metuchen. Currently, under his supervision, he maintains the Kids of the Kingdom choir, Youth choir, and Adult Choir for the Cathedral. There is also a select number of singers for the whole Diocese of Metuchen he directs every now and again, making pilgrimages to National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception inWashington DC . Not only does he direct these choirs, but he's been gradually building a solid group of teenagers in his self-directed HandBell Choir usually after choir rehearsals for members who are interested. Of course, he does weddings too.

Currently, he's putting together pamphlets to guide musicians like himself who are interested in understanding what their position is within the parish -- like what it means to be a musician in the Catholic faith and what type of mindset one needs to accomplish it. He plans on publishing one for cantors as well in the near future. These pamphlets, he states, would be distributed to every church under the Diocese of Metuchen so that all may come to understand music in the church.

He is very much adored in the community; loved by the choir members and parish, though he gets little acclamation other than a fleeting "thank you" or applause after a mass. This humble musician is quite content at his position in the parish, though many laymen would probably not understand the amount of work he puts in for something he loves so dearly. And he does this all with a smile.