World-renowned Musicians come to Houston with a unique mission
August 7, 2015
World-renowned Musicians come to
Houston with a unique mission
Almost 4,000 people expected for closing
concert
HOUSTON – Hailing
from Mexico City, Grupo Emmanuel has gained
tremendous popularity throughout the world
often playing to capacity crowds. They are
talented musicians with a unique mission
– their goal is to utilize the
combination of worship and music to bring
people closer to God and ultimately invite
them to consider the priesthood or religious
life.
Next week, Grupo Emmanuel
will be returning to the Houston-Galveston
area for the second time for a week-long
event called Cielo Abierto (“Open
Heaven”). Primarily for young adults,
Cielo Abierto is five nights of praise,
worship and Eucharistic Adoration at several
parishes across the Archdiocese of Galveston-
Houston, followed by a free concert on
Saturday, August 15. The concert will be held
at the George R. Brown Convention Center,
1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston. Doors
open at 3 p.m., the concert begins at 4 p.m.
“Last year we had
approximately 2,300 people at the closing
concert, but we had to turn many people away
due to the capacity of the venue. We moved it
to the GRB and expect a crowd of almost 4,000
people,” said Nory Taliente, one of the
event organizers. “The feedback we
received shows that people want to live Cielo
Abierto again, and they want to introduce the
experience to others.”
Cielo
Abierto has been called a profound personal
encounter with the love of God. “It
gathers people together for praise, prayer
and fellowship all in celebration of the
great love of our God!” said Father
T.J. Dolce, Director of Vocations for the
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Utilizing the best technology, giant
screens and lighting Cielo Abierto creates
the perfect environment to encounter Jesus in
the Holy Eucharist in an environment of
spiritual intimacy. Since starting Cielo
Abierto approximately five years ago, Grupo
Emmanuel says they have seen great
conversions, witnessed an emergence of
priestly and religious vocations and seen a
renewed spirit in attendees.
“My hope is that the people who
attend the Noches de Adoracion are able to
join in communion with their brothers and
sisters and pray for our world. We are a
divided people and we need Nights of
Adoration to help us come together as
one.”
This year, Grupo
Emmanuel will be joined by Joan Sanchez from
the Dominican Republic, Carlos Castilla from
Venezuela, Luna Eikar from Colombia and
Carlos Omar from Matamoros, Mexico’s
for the Saturday concert.
Cielo
Abierto is returning to Houston thanks to the
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s
Office of Vocations and the Office of
Hispanic Ministry.
About Grupo
Emmanuel:
Grupo Emmanuel’s
ministry started at Our Lady of Sacred Heart
in Mexico. It was there that Pedro, Juan and
Gil Gonzalez-Garcia, who were members of the
church’s Emmanuel Choir, pledged to use
their talents to express their love and
commitment to Christ.
After
several years of playing together at various
Catholic festivals they were inspired to
record an album, “Remembrances.”
In 1993, the Gonzalez-Garcia
brothers embarked on an adventure in the Lord
as missionaries musicians. This led to the
formation of Grupo Emmanuel. Current band
members include Cristal Dominguez (vocals),
Enrique Vazquez (bass), Luis Reynoso
(keyboard and chorus), Juan Gonzalez
(electro-acoustic guitar/ lead vocals),
Misael Aguirre (drums) and Pedro Gonzalez
(voice and preaching).
The group
started Cielo Abierto approximately five
years ago in Mexico City’s National
Auditorium – the inaugural event
completely sold out. Since that time, they
have brought their ministry to numerous
cities throughout Mexico and South America,
and to other countries around the world,
inspiring many to live a life devoted to
Christ.
The Archdiocese of
Galveston-Houston serves 1.6 million
Catholics in 10 counties.
It is the
largest Roman Catholic diocese in Texas and
the 12th largest in the United States.
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