Nunc Dimittis

Scottt Sward was killed during a robbery attempt at his home in Chicago on January 25. Sward, 43, had served as director of music ministry at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Libertyville, Illinois, since October 2003. Born in Chicago, he grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He received a bachelor of music degree from East Carolina University and in 1986 was appointed Catholic organist at the Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk. Later he became chapel organist, then Catholic music director and principal cantor, and finally chapel music director and organist for the NAB Chapel. There he directed two adult choirs, a children’s choir, a handbell choir, an instrumental ensemble, and a schola cantorum. He also served as pianist and cantor for the Catholic campus ministries at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Sward wrote five mass settings, choir arrangements, anthems and psalm settings. A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Parish on February 3.