“I’ll be there to help you over,
If you lose your way, if you lose your faith
When your time is through my final wish for you
Is to count your blessings not your regrets.”

– “I Will Pray for You”

When Music Director Kara McEachern finished a soaring solo of “I Will Pray for You” at the last Sunday Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on June 22, the nearly full congregation at the small West End church started clapping. It’s not that applause is unknown in Catholic churches — it happens after liturgical celebrations sometimes and of course at occasions like weddings and funerals.