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Carroll to host concert featuring pro-family music

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)

CARROLL – Lyrics centered on motherhood, marriage and family make up many of the songs to be performed by a Nashville recording artist at a concert to be held next month in the Diocese of Sioux City.

Marie Bellet, a Catholic singer and songwriter, will entertain and inspire at a 7 p.m. concert March 6 at Holy Spirit Church. There is no charge; however, a free-will offering will be taken up with proceeds to benefit the Carroll Area Right to Life.

When she started writing, Bellet said she referred to her music as “housewife songs” because they were born out of her life as a Catholic wife and mother.

“There are a lot of songs about marriage and family and the frustrations of motherhood and the frustrations of living in a world that really doesn’t understand sacrificial love,” said the mother of nine, who noted that she has received flack about her family’s size. “A lot of my songs try to make sense out of those struggles.”

Other songs explore the emotions of loneliness, confusion or frustration that comes with motherhood, but through the course of the songs she said, “I try to do what we all do for ourselves – give ourselves a pep talk to remember why this is important.”

Ordinary life
Her songs as a whole try to convey the beauty of ordinary life.

“The songs are everyday life situations put to music through a Catholic perspective,” described Bellet, a native of Illinois. “The songs help people remember what they already know – that love is worth sacrificing for. Your marriage and family are where peace and happiness are to be found.”

The music that accompanies her vocals is mainly guitar-based and while the style is a mix of folk, jazz and pop – she said it has a country sound.

The idea to hold this concert came from Amy and Darren Dea, who are parishioners at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton. Amy is the secretary for the Carroll Area Right to Life and it was the desire of the couple to raise money to benefit the group’s pro-life efforts.

“We are very big fans of Marie Bellet,” said Amy Dea, who noted that they have been listening to Bellet’s music for about 11 years. “Her music has enhanced our lives - our family and our marriage.”

She described the Nashville singer’s voice as soft and gentle, almost like a lullaby.

“Then once you listen, her words are thought provoking,” said Amy, the mother of 10. “Marie has a simple way of elevating family life. She takes the everyday, mundane tasks that you perform for your family and elevates it to a beautiful level. She really embraces the culture of life.”

Having seen Bellet perform on other occasions, Amy described the experience as a conversation concert.
Bellet pointed out that between the songs she does a little storytelling and reflection. She has been told that her concerts have the feel of a marriage retreat.

The Deas are organizing the concert with the help of fellow parishioner, Jeanne Kerkhoff. As pianist for Sacred Heart, she has a love of music.

“Every time that I attend a Christian or Catholic concert, I walk out with a renewed spirit,” Kerkhoff said. “It’s another way to provoke deeper thinking and a different perspective of practicing our faith. I get moved emotionally when I hear thought-provoking lyrics tied with good music.”

Kerkhoff is particularly pleased that the concert is being held during Lent because it provides a means to reflect upon the Catholic faith. She finds it a blessing that someone with such musical talent will be offering a concert in Carroll.

“I have heard it many times, and I suppose it is true, that there will be no end to abortion in this country unless and until we change hearts and change the culture,” said Darren Dea. “The way to change the culture for the better is by giving the culture something better, by promoting good art and good music. Marie's music is as good as any Nashville has to offer.”

He referred to an article from the Catholic Globe that quoted Pope Benedict as saying, "Genuine beauty can give people a ‘healthy shock’ that draws them out of themselves, wrenching them away from resignation and from being content with the humdrum. In fact, beauty can pierce people ‘like a dart,’ reawakening them and opening up the eyes of "the heart and mind."

Darren pointed out that Bellet's music does not focus heavily on the abortion issue.  She sings mainly about marriage and family.  

“However, she would be a champion of the pro-life cause, if her personal life were her only witness. Her music calls us all to see the ‘simple, noble beauty’ in husbands and wives, and in the sacrifices they make for each other and the family,” he said. “Hopefully it will give listeners a ‘healthy shock’, so they will become less content with and will seek to change the humdrum culture that produces laws that undermine marriage and fail to protect human life in the womb.”

Organizers say people of all ages are invited to attend the concert – from newborn to the elderly.

“I would love for people to come to this concert to see the importance of family life and what a difference they can make in the people they share their home with,” Amy Dea said. “I know people’s hearts will be moved by Marie’s story and her songs.”

Following the concert, refreshments will be served in the gathering space of church. Bellet will be selling and signing CDs.

To get a taste of Marie Bellet’s music, check out her Web site at www.mariebellet.com.