May 27, 2026

Singer, songwriter Steve Angrisano sings a joyful message at St. Stanislaus Basilica

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

CHICOPEE – With storytelling and song, and some humor mixed in, singer/songwriter and music missionary Steve Angrisano shared a joyful message with students at St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee, Tuesday, May 26. The concert was held inside St. Stanislaus Basilica on Front Street, which is adjacent to the school. Angrisano, a highly sought-after Catholic speaker and music minister, has been in music ministry and has worked with youth for more than 30 years. It was not surprising that he had the entire crowd singing with him from the very first song.

“I work with all ages and I probably do more concerts and parish missions for families. I almost always do the school when I’m at a parish with a school – and talk about the joy of the Lord and the enthusiasm in the room,” said Angrisano of the the children. He was joined by his wife, Jenni. The couple, from Coppell, Texas, have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Angrisano is an internationally known Catholic composer. Some of his songs include, “Alleluia! Love is Alive,” which all of the students sang with him. He has also written “High Above Our Way,” “I Am the Bread of Life,” and “Go Make a Difference,” which can be found in many church hymnals.

“When I wrote ‘Go Make a Difference,’ when I was 20 something years old, I did not know I was writing the national anthem of Catholic grade school. I have seen it painted on gym walls and played by marching bands, and sung by many, many third graders,” Angrisano joked.

The students certainly belted out “Go Make a Difference,” with great enthusiasm. Angrisano also shared about another one of his favorite songs.

“I love the song ‘A Rightful Place’ which says ‘let us live our lives so that all might see that our hearts are restless until they rest in me,'” said Angrisano. “That’s just a quote from St. Augustine really, but it reminds us that something in our heart is looking for God and it isn’t satisfied until we find God.”

He had the students full attention as he relayed personal stories about his time in youth ministry. He spoke of a young boy with Down syndrome whom he taught many years ago at a Catholic school. The boy, whom Angrisano called Mike, went on the school canoeing trip. He said some of the students had made fun of Mike previously. But by the end of the canoeing trip, all of the students rallied around Mike and called him their hero. The story inspired St. Stanislaus students to stand up for those who are left out or made fun of.

“He gave me advice to do the right thing when other people aren’t doing the right thing,” said grade eight student Angel Lozada, who attended Mass with his first grade buddy. “If someone is getting bullied on the playground and no one is acting on it, then I have to act on it and help out.”

Angrisano has been featured at 10 World Youth Days and emceed three National Catholic Youth Conferences. He has presented primary talks, music and workshops at the pro-life rally in Washington, D.C., Franciscan University Conferences, the National Pastoral Musicians Conference, the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, and the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference. He served as a keynote speaker for the Australian Youth Festival in 2017 and 2019. He also served as emcee when Pope John Paul II visited St. Louis in 1999.

He and his wife lead the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on the Hallow App. When he is not writing, recording or presenting at larger conferences, he travels across the country throughout the year leading parish missions.

“I see a lot of hope in young people. They also recognize truth. You know I always say truth with compassion is very compelling. And so, as Christians sometimes we say we’re afraid to say the truth. But we shouldn’t be afraid to say the truth, with compassion. That’s what Jesus did. He was a compelling figure. Not because he hid behind anything. But when he shared with love, people wanted to hear more,” he said.

During the concert he engaged the crowd, having students learn movements to “Lean on Me.” He also had a competition between the boys and girls in the singing of “J-E-S-U-S,” which evoked a lot of laughter.

“It was a beautiful presentation, really fun to watch,” said grade seven student Rachel Pietroniro.

Angrisano’s next stop is All Saints Parish in Waterford, Penn., on May 29. To hear some of the songs from the May 26 concert, follow diospringfieldma on Instagram or Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield on Facebook.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.