On the way out the door, I also met the director of the little choir that could ...

We are the little choir that COULD! From three members who stood up once a month at Mass, in vestments, singing in two parts, to traveling America with this great group of young adults, it's been a journey of hope and inspiration...Cantate Domino! ...

The St. Richard Youth Choir was founded in 2003 by three seventh-grade girls, and has since grown to fifteen members. While traveling to Pueri Cantores Festival Masses across the Unites States, the choir serves as ambassadors for Jackson, Miss. on the national stage. Known for hard work and raising their own operating budget every year, the members put in countless hours in the pursuit of excellence in service and music.

I heard an inspirational story of kids from Mississipi with no resources but enormous talent and dedication. They're fund raising to try to attend the International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Rome to sing with 6,000 children from all over the world at a special Papal Mass with Benedict XVI.

If you're in Chicago, they'll be there July 3-7 to sing at the invitation-only Pueri Cantores Evening Prayer Festival at the beginning of the National Pastoral Musicians Conference.

You can hear samples at their website here and also find out how to contribute to their effort if you are moved to do so.