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	Inspirational Concert to Offer Hope, Healing By Carol Murphy cmurphy@repub.com The Republican April 22, 2006 http://www.masslive.com/metrowest/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1145605812284860.xml&coll=1 Chicopee — Singer, songwriter and guitarist David LeTellier and his band, Cottonwood, were well on their way to Nashville a few years back until he found a higher purpose for his talent. LeTellier, a liturgical musician at his South Hadley church, St. Theresa's, has turned toward his faith and for the past two years has devoted himself entirely to composing and playing inspirational music. Accompanied by percussionist Ed Chagnon and Joe Cirillo on bass, the trio comprise the band "The Narrow Gate," performing "Hope and Healing" concerts throughout the area. LeTellier will perform another in a series of inspirational concerts, a "Hope and Healing Benefit Concert" for victims of sexual abuse as well as victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Springfield. The concert will be held on April 30 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica on Front Street. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. With the assistance of his wife, Lise, who reads scripture and words from victims, the concert will consist of powerful, uplifting music, music LeTellier writes himself for many of his concerts. It's a purpose much different than what he began in his musical career. "What inspires me is that I always had my faith in Christ," LeTellier said in a recent interview. "I found that my musical abilities turned more positive, more inspirational and to more faith-filled lyrics. I just found it was more fulfilling and brought me closer to God, and brings others to God through my music." LeTellier, a carpenter who works at A.R. Green and Son, Holyoke, spent many years in the 1990s playing in a group he started called Cottonwood. The band generated quite a following on the country music scene, including opening for country music greats such as Willie Nelson, and performing on the same stage as the Oakridge Boys, Billy Ray Cyrus, Trisha Yearwood and others. Involved in their church for more than 20 years, the couple first heard about the Hope and Healing Fund in 2004 when they heard and later met the Rev. Dan Pacholec, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church. It was Pacholec who started the fund in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. Pacholec had run in the Boston Marathon that year and raised more than $20,000 for the fund. Together LeTellier and his wife, a science teacher at Granby Junior-Senior High School, organized their first successful concert that year, Lise said. "We decided we wanted to do our ministry together, so we coordinated around scripture, prayer and music," she said. "After the concert, people were asking Dave to put out a CD." David LeTellier said, "When we learned about the fund, I thought this could be a good avenue using my music and (Lise's) writing and speaking capability. My wife always works with me to create these services and between her writing abilities and finding the right Bible verses to work with, we are hand in hand able to bring across our healing words and bring people closer to a point where they can heal or forgive others for what has happened in the church," LeTellier said. Lise LeTellier said the concerts are not just aimed at victims of clergy abuse in the direct sense, but those who have lived through the whole church crisis "and who are struggling with re-identifying with their church and knowing a healing has to happen for them as well. The thing they need most is healing, and we feel by supporting them, we can bring a healing to the entire group," she said. LeTellier's CD, "Love's Example," is dedicated to the victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Springfield. LeTellier is known for his gentle voice, inspiring lyrics, and guitar playing. He has chosen to donate all proceeds from his CD to the "Fund for Hope and Healing" because of his firm belief "in God's ability to heal the wounds created by and inflicted upon Christ's Church. The church needs to work together to find ways to heal its members," he said. LeTellier said he uses his God given gift of music "to bring hope to those who have felt betrayed and to offer the victims some aspect of healing." The "Fund for Hope and Healing" addresses various needs for the victims, from bill paying, retreats, to opportunities to reunite with family members. The board, consisting mostly of members of victims' families, administers the fund. For more information on the concerts or interest in the CD, contact the LeTelliers at (413) 532-3228 or e-mail dletellier@comcast.net Contributions to the fund can be made independently by mailing a check to the "Fund for Hope and Healing" P.O. Box 4699, Springfield, MA 01101.
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