YOUNGSTOWN NATIVE Here or in Bosnia-Herzegovina, musician identifies with roots

The former Youngstowner sang and danced with The Happy Hearts Tamburitzans.
TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
In the summer of 2000, Jamie Marich left Youngstown for a six-week backpack journey through Eastern Europe.
After a few months, she settled in the village of Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where two years later, the Chaney High School graduate still lives and works.
Marich, 23, will return to the United States this month as part of a tour of several cities to promote her recently released CD, "Give Us Your Peace/Daruj Nam Mir." Two free concerts are scheduled in Youngstown.
Mary appears
Marich leads the music at the English Masses and prayer services at St. James Church in Medjugorje, where the Virgin Mary is said to appear and regularly give messages to six visionaries from the village. The apparitions of Our Lady of Medjugorje have been occurring since 1981.
Marich decided to make the CD after several of the pilgrims who journeyed to St. James asked her if one was available. Marich wrote five of the 10 songs on the recording, and is the prime soloist.
As a young child, Marich played the violin and bugarija (a Croatian folk instrument) and sang and danced with an area Croatian folk troupe, The Happy Hearts Tamburitzans.
Learning more
After graduating from Youngstown State University, Marich decided to travel to Eastern Europe to learn more about her Croatian background and spend some time in retreat.
"I love Medjugorje because it is a village of Croatian people, so I am able to really have the experience of living in the country of my ancestors," Marich wrote in an e-mail interview.
"I never dreamed of coming here and being able to work, but the unique opportunities that Medjugorje has afforded me is the main reason I have stayed."
In addition to her music ministry, Marich works at the Mother's Village, a shelter for homeless children, teaching English and music. Marich said a portion of the CD proceeds will benefit the shelter.
"I really enjoy my job of leading music down at the main church in Medjugorje, but there is nothing, nothing like singing with the kids! This is the joy of music to the extreme," wrote Marich.
A little homesick
Marich said she misses many things about America, such as Chinese takeout and driving on the freeway, but is leaving her future in God's hands.
"I feel at home both places. ... I truly believe that I would be happy anywhere I was sent in the world, as long as I was living in God's will and serving his people. I will continue my ministry as is for at least another year, and then we'll see in what direction the Lord leads me after that."