5 really cool things to know about PJ Anderson, Catholic worship artist coming to the diocese in October

Catholic worship artist PJ Anderson will present at four events in the Diocese of St. Cloud in October (see below for details). The Central Minnesota Catholic had the opportunity to connect with Anderson to learn more about his ministry.

1. When did you start playing music?

I would get in trouble with my parents, mainly my mom, for not singing at church. If my sisters and I didn’t sing loud enough or at all at church, after the closing song, she’d make us go stand in the back pew and sing the song acapella as people left church.

God’s got a funny sense humor, because now it’s my job to get everybody to sing at church, right?

I started playing guitar in fifth grade. I learned from a nun and played for school Masses, and then kind of put it down in high school to focus on playing basketball because I thought I was too cool for music stuff. But then I picked [guitar] back up in college.

2. What are the greatest fruits of your work as a musician?

I just love singing. I love writing songs and getting to share them. And then hearing from people what those songs mean to them is really life giving to me.

We are inundated with millions and millions of songs that we could be listening to. So sometimes there’s those thoughts in my head like “Maybe nobody cares about the music that I’m putting out.” It’s just cool to get to talk to people [after a show] and hear what those songs mean to them. And I’ve gotten emails from people about certain songs getting them through difficult times.

That’s why I write songs – to write prayers for myself, mainly, and that hopefully those songs are helpful to others in helping them pray, get through something or to help them grow in their relationship with the Lord.

3. Is there an artist who is particularly meaningful to you or serves as a mentor?

It’s kind of funny to say this, because we’re friends now, but one of my favorite songwriters, before I ever met him and moved to Nashville, was Matt [Maher]. We hold a songwriters’ night for our [kids’] school. Usually, we alternate each year who plays it. I didn’t play this year, but Matt did, and I told him afterwards, “I’ve sung your songs and heard your songs so many millions of times and you still have a way of moving me and bringing me to tears or just bringing up emotion and bringing closeness to the Lord.

Matt’s always up at the top of that list for me as far as worship songs,

4. What other artists or songs have you been listening to lately?

Ben Rector. He was at SEEK a couple of years ago. I love Ben Rector.

Also, we did a whole set at our last concert, and I played three cover songs and the theme was “Songs that made me cry this year.” They were “The Architect” by Kasey Musgraves, “Guiding Light” by Foy Vance and “All Shall be Well” by Mike Donehey.

5. How can music directors or other parish leadership encourage or invite youth to participate in the music at Masses and liturgies?

Ron Fulton was my mentor and the one who challenged me. He brought me in. We need music ministers to invite people in, because it can be intimidating, especially as a musician. Your default is, “I’m not good enough for this” or “I’m not needed” or “I can’t do that.” And I needed that push from Mr. Fulton to say, “Hey, this Sunday at the youth Mass, you’re going to sing the closing song, so pick one.” It made me plan and it made me nervous. He said, “I’ll be there with you. The whole band is going to be there with you, but you’re going to lead it.”

I guess he saw the potential of someone that could lead or maybe take over for him down the road or to just be part of the band. That invitation was huge shaped my whole life.

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On Oct. 26 and 27, the Diocese of St. Cloud will host Anderson for four events filled with prayer, reflection and music.

The events on October 26 will be hosted in St. Joseph and have topics based on the theme “Are you Ready?” taken from Anderson’s song  “Glorious Praise.” The events are intended to meet the needs of adults in various stages of life.

“I hope adults will enjoy the chance to learn, share and celebrate our faith with other adults from around the diocese,” said Christine Pinto, director of faith formation for the diocese of St. Cloud who leads the team organizing the events.

The first event of the day is titled “Are You Ready?…for Surprise, Newness, Letting Go, Healing and Grace” and runs for two hours beginning at 9am. It includes music and a morning reflection by Anderson and a deeper dive into the story of Bartimaeus through lectio divina with Mary Margaret Yaeger, member of St. Francis Xavier in Sartell, who served for 17 years as a pastoral associate in the Diocese of Winona and is part of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and additional diocesan committees. This event is at the Church of Saint Joseph.

An afternoon event for parents and families titled “The Lord has Done Great Things for Us…Are you Ready?” Runs from 2 to 4:30 pm at the Church of Saint Joseph. Anderson leading praise and worship music will sandwich more age-intentional sessions. The session for adults is led by Anderson and children will participate in a variety of activities.

The final event on October 26 will be a free concert from 7 to 8:30 pm at Bad Habit Brewery in St. Joseph which will include songs and stories of faith.

On October 27, Anderson will be the headlining musician and speaker for the High School Youth Day at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria from noon to 7:30 pm. The event, planned by the Diocesan Youth Council, under the direction of Kent Schmitz, director for ministry with youth and young adults for the Diocese of Saint Cloud and partially funded by a donation from the Central Minnesota Noon Optimists, also includes recreation activities, Mass with Bishop Patrick Neary presiding, food and fun.

This will be Anderson’s first visit to Central Minnesota.

Additional information, registration, opportunities to volunteer and further details can be found at www.stcdio.org/PJ-Anderson-events/.

To learn more about PJ Anderson, read Five Questions with PJ Anderson or visit: https://pjandersonmusic.com.

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If you go—

Are You Ready?…for Surprise, Newness, Letting Go, Healing and Grace: A Morning of Reflection
October 26, 9-11 a.m.
Church of Saint Joseph
12 W. Minnesota St.
St. Joseph, MN 56374
$10 per person

An Afternoon for Parents and Families: The Lord has Done Great Things for Us…Are You Ready?
October 26, 2–4:30 p.m.
Church of Saint Joseph
12 W. Minnesota St.
St. Joseph, MN 56374
$10 per adult

Are You Ready…For a Free Concert?
October 26, 7– 8:30 p.m.
Bad Habit Brewery
25 College Ave. N.
St. Joseph, MN 56374

High School Youth Day: Are You Ready?
October 27, Noon to 7:30 p.m
Lake Geneva Christian Center
605 Birch Ave.
Alexandria, MN 56308