Come get to know Susan . . .
Susan’s ministry covers a wide range of activities but is centered on one thing: encouraging and deepening the faith of everyone she meets in Jesus Christ. As a singer/songwriter/recording artist, speaker, and publisher and editor of GRAPEVINE, the magazine devoted to Catholic performing artists, Susan has been actively sharing her ministry locally, nationally and internationally. Appearances at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, on EWTN and on the Catholic Family Network are just some of the highlights.
Susan’s mission is to encourage, inspire and uplift Catholics in their faith, especially those who work so hard behind the scenes to bring the faith to others. She also feels called to minister to the dying and to those in mourning.
A devotion to the Blessed Mother coupled with openness to the Holy Spirit leads Susan in all of her ministry activities, whether it be directing her singing to God in prayer, speaking to women on retreat about discovering their gifts, or writing and publishing her Arts & Entertainment magazine, GRAPEVINE, and podcasting via the GrapeVine News Minute, about the many fine artists sharing about their Catholic faith. Her soothing and inspiring music continues to invoke a prayerful and worshipful response from those in attendance while her talks inspire and teach. Her publishing and broadcasting work seek to let everyone know that God can speak His people in profound ways through art forms dedicated to His glory.
Speaking and Retreat Ministry
Susan (who is from the Diocese of Worcester, MA) and her partner, Deacon David McDowell (from the Diocese of Wilmington, DE) offer a full day retreat on the power of forgiveness and the discovery of your gifts for the glory of God with talks, music, and an opportunity to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation while mediating on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary through Susan’s Sung Rosary.
Here are comments from participants:
“Loved Deacon Dave talks and Susan’s music and talk was beautiful.”
“Deacon Dave was on fire with the Spirit and Susan was a wonderful addition and helped with her talk and beautiful music.”
“Both speakers spoke from their hearts.”
“Deacon Dave’s energy and honesty was awesome and Susan’s ‘Simon Son of John’ song made me understand the whole day better.”
“I liked how Susan and Dave kept everything and everyone’s interest, made me want to make everyday of my life happy and to invite God into it.”
“Susan Bailey was good and her music is beautiful. ‘Simon Son of John’ made me cry.”
“Deacon Dave’s talks were inspirational and humorous and singing the rosary was the best event of the day. Susan has written a beautiful Rosary.”
“The day was very helpful on our journey of life. You could feel the holiness.”
“It was very emotional, lots of food for thought. Music and the stories told [were] very meaningful. [I was reminded] that God forgave me and I need to forgive myself. Susan’s song on forgiveness [‘As We Forgive’] summed up the day for me.”
“Group prayer and singing the rosary made me feel everything was balance and led to a blessed reconciliation.”
“I liked most singing the rosary.”
Write to Susan to find out more about this speaking and retreat ministry.
You can download her press kit HERE. You can also call her voice mail number at 206-600-6940 and leave a message.
Do you play live?
I go wherever I'm asked to go and as often as I can. Mostly I play in the New England area but I've gone as far north as Toronto, as far west as Utah and as far south as Delaware. Wherever I'm called to go, I go.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
The internet has made it possible for unsigned, indie artists like myself to get our music out to the public. Ten years ago, none of this was posssible. Now, the possibilities to reach out and touch others with music are unendless.
Would you still sign a record contract with a major label?
Nope. Been independent too long and I like it.
Band History:
I've been writing, singing and performing for many years. Mostly I play in the New England area in churches and coffeehouses but I've also performed at regional and national conferences such as the "Gather Us In" Women's Conference for the Diocese of Worcester, MA in 2002 and 2005, and the National Catholic Conference on Youth Ministry (NCCYM) in Pittsburgh in 2004. I had the privilege of performing several times at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto. Later this year I will be appearing on the Eternal Word TV Network (EWTN) on their "Backstage" series and on the Catholic Familyland TV Network (Marty Rotella's "His Love").
I love doing praise and worship music and have worked for several years with the Worcester, MA Diocese Charismatic Renewal team.
I also love doing liturgical music and have ministered in song for over ten years at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough, MA. I have also served as a soloist at numerous weddings, funerals, retreats and prayer meetings.
I've been happily married for 27 years to her husband, Rich, and we are the proud parents of two nearly grown children, Stephen and Meredith.
Your influences?
I count Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Karen Carpenter, Amy Grant and John Michael Talbot as major influences.
Sung Rosary Update
Vocals for the Sung Rosary CD have been completed. During the summer months, David Smith of Icon Music Studio will add instrumentation and all kinds of wonderful things to make this Sung Rosary a prayer experience you won’t soon forget.
Susan needs your help! $5000 needs to be raised to cover the costs of recording and manufacturing the CD. She also needs additional monies to produce a meditation book which will accompany the CD. There are several ways to help. Please click on SUNG ROSARY CD to find out how.