Mission Statement
Love Christ - Live Christ - Proclaim Christ
JOHN GRASSADONIA: My Story
Currently.......
John is a four-time Unity Award-Winning Catholic Singer/Songwriting Artist, with two international music awards from Spain and Guatemala to his credit. When he is not performing in the US, he can be found traveling on tour with the Music Missionary Team of Franciscan and Friends, www.franciscanandfriends.com. He is the US representative for the team founded by Denis Grady of Canada. If that does not keep him busy enough, he is also the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Elk Grove, CA in the Diocese of Sacramento, which serves over 5,200 families. He teaches and coordinates Music at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, as well as teaching beginning guitar to students of all ages.
Despite his busy schedule, John has on going recording and writing projects. He will be releasing his first book titled "Beyond Coincidence" in 2008, covering his remarkable encounter on his journey to Pope John Paul II's funeral in 2005. His latest of four CD's is titled "Live Like Saints", which was produced in Nashville by the well-known Joe Hand. He is currently recording a fifth CD of songs most requested by parishioners and friends for Mass and sacred liturgical celebrations of the Church.
John's Story.......
For the last 18 years...I have been involved in music ministry. I have been inspired by the work of Mother Teresa, who spent her life feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and sheltering the homeless. I was inspired from her writings to call our musical group "CHRISM". She stated she received a "special Chrism" from God which was a clear call to begin her ministy with the poor. "Chrism" means anointed and represents a Holy calling from God.
Where our work begins is within the body of Christ. I hear the call to feed the spiritually poor who are struggling with their faith, as well as inspiring all God's people to seek a personal and life giving relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. I hope the message within the music helps others to reach out for Christ's love and His transforming grace.
"I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving".
Psalm 69:30-31
For my part, I began working with the mentally ill. That led to working in the jails. The result was a 25 year career in the field of probation and law enforcement. I spent brief periods working with the sick and dying in hospitals as well as the mentally challenged and severely handicapped. You might say that I have seen things that most people don't want to see. I have been where most people don't want to go. 3 years were spent working as a Director of Social Services with those in an independent, semi-independent, and skilled nursing facility.
Finally after all these years I have taken all of my feelings and emotions and directed them into one powerful message. I am communicating to the world a testimony of my beliefs. I am witnessing to the love of Christ, as Healer and Savior. After all...I have seen Him in action.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life".
John 3:16
I believe that I have been called to stand in the path of the young and old, the lost and the broken, those who wander in the world, looking for love and acceptance and bring the love of Christ to them.
My hope is that the message in my music will inspire you to see God and the infinite love He has for you. It will remind you that we are not alone in our joys and sorrows. It will give you the courage to reconnect to all people believing in the goodness that God has given us to share with each other through Jesus Christ. Finally I will share my joy from knowing and following Him. I thank Him for giving me the opportunity to love, live and proclaim Him.
God Bless You......
John Grassadonia