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Presentations showcase New Castle man’s God-given talent
By LINDA M. LINONIS
POLAND
When Bob Summers was a young man, he was a novice in a Trappist monastery and planned to devote his life to God.
In the silence of the monastery, he “found” himself. “I realized God had given me a gift, he said.
Summers discovered and developed a musical talent. “I hear it in my head then sing the melodies,” he said.
Summers, who does not read music, said he first sang and recorded his inspirations into a cassette player and now uses an iPhone.
Over the years, he has enlisted other musicians to transcribe the actual musical notes. “They literally write out what I sing,” he said. “The words and melody just come to me.”
Summers built on that talent and has written musicals to praise God. He began in 1994 and has been going strong since. Presentations include “In Search of the Christ Child” for Christmas and for Lent, and “Make Us Believers,” on the passion of Christ. In the Valley, “Believers” will be performed March 11 at Holy Family Church, 2729 Center Road.
He also built a career as a youth ministry consultant, logging more than 30 years at various churches. He’s now serving at St. James the Apostle Church in New Bedford, Pa.; St. Margaret Mary in Moon Township, Pa.; and Christ the King Church in Hillsville, Pa.
The resident of New Castle, Pa., and his wife, Mary Jo, have sent their five children to Holy Family School. Son Dominic, an eighth-grader, will be the last to graduate.
Marnie Kelty, director of religious education and youth minister at Holy Family, said the church knew of Summers’ work and believed it would be a significant presentation for Lent.
About 11 Holy Family members are involved. Overall, the cast numbers about 60 from children to adults.
Sophia Sainato, 13, and John Cagnina, both of Holy Family, are in the ensemble. “I love to act. This is a good fit,” said Sophia, a seventh-grader in Poland schools.
John said being part of the cast is “really cool.” “I like learning about God,” added the fifth-grader at Boardman Center Middle School.
Other members come from St. Camillus Church in New Castle, Pa.; Our Lady of Perpetual Hope in Aurora, Ohio; St. Margaret Mary and St. James. The churches all have staged “Make Us Believers,” and some cast members and musicians continue to participate. Heather Groll of Aliquippa, Pa., plays Mary, the mother of Jesus.
A member of St. Margaret Mary, Groll said she has participated since 1997. “This is dear to my heart,” she said. “It really makes you experience the passion of Christ. I feel the experience has taken my faith to another level,” said the corrosion engineer for Columbia Gas Co. and roller derby participant.
Betty Braun, a member of St. Camillus, is playing the flute for a second year in the show. “This is a great way to pray together,” she said. “This makes it [the passion of Christ] more real ... it’s what faith is about,” she said.
Blaine Strittmatter of St. Camillus, who plays Peter, said the show illustrates “what Jesus did for us.”
Faith is at the heart of Summers’ musicals. “God has allowed me the opportunities for my gift to be shared,” he said. The devout Catholic admitted that the world often is not a pleasant place. “The community of faith has hope though there is evil,” he said. “I believe the cast’s participation shows how much they care and they want to share that. It’s a spiritual journey that touches lives.”
Summers said the message will resound with Christians from many denominations. “I believe it touches people’s hearts as they experience it.” He stages seven to nine shows annually.
He noted the story is moved along in song; there is little dialogue. Summers also keeps the sets to a minimum. His wife has made some 100 costumes for the productions.
In addition to the shows, Summers has a CD on “Make Us Believers.” It’s available on iTunes and there is a trailer on You Tube.
Summers said thousands of people have seen the presentations and more will view the segments online.
He also is working on two albums of contemporary Christian music.