Women make annual habit of performing concert

By Colleen Gallion     RAVENNA—While they may call themselves “Sisters in the Hood” they are not siblings, nor are they religious. They do, however, harmonize very well together as if they were one or the other—maybe even better.     Led by Claudette Sekutera, retired music director from St. Mary’s Cathedral, the group of musicians resembling women from the movie “Sister Act” performed Nov. 24 at the annual Thanksgiving Community Concert at Our Lady of Lourdes in Ravenna. The event was sponsored by the Ravenna Ministerial Association.     The evening also included performances by pianist Brett Hervert and violinist Colton Hervert, along with the Community Choir of Ravenna. Although there was no charge to attend, a collection was taken for the people of the community in need.     “It’s a time to remember how blessed we are and prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus,” said Dianne Schneider, music leader and choir member at St. Mary’s Cathedral.     She said once a year, the women of the group from area parishes don black attire topped off with a traditional habit to perform during an evening of song, fellowship and fun—sprinkled with a few jokes—for the holiday season.     The idea was the brain-child of Sekutera who wanted to gather a group of women together and create a “sister act” of her own where they could perform songs like from the movie such as “I Will Follow Him” and “Oh Happy Day.” They added the costumes and then Sekutera came up with the name.     “The congregation really enjoyed the light-heartedness and fun,” Schneider said.     Since the group was first created in 2006, Schneider said members have come and gone, but there are usually between 10 and 15 people. This year members included Doris Winkler, Sue Stueben, Jeanne Allen, all of Grand Island; Bonnie Busch of Pleasanton; Sue Cook and Jaden Graczyk, both of Rockville, and Teresa Mingus of Ravenna, in addition to Schneider and Sekutera, both of Grand Island. Most have performed with the group before.     “We do it because we love to make music especially if it makes people happy and is for a good cause,” Schneider said.