Articles from the Sheep Days.....

Spring 2001 from The BC Catholic:

Local Band SHEEP heading to World Youth Day

By CRISTINA MATOS

BC Catholic

In a time when people are loath to be seen as followers, these men are proud to be known as Sheep. Sheep, a Catholic Christian alternative band from Surrey, has been chosen to play at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto this summer.

The group will be one of 150 bands and entertainment groups from across the globe that have been invited to perform.

The event, from July 23-28, is expected to draw up to 300,000 Catholic youth from around the world. Members of Sheep said they felt honored to be asked to play for Pope John Paul II and to lead youth in praise and worship.

It’s a unique opportunity for the band, which, lead singer Jamie O’Neill pointed out, is the only band or artistic group from B.C.’s mainland accepted to play at WYD.

It’s been a dream of his since World Youth Day in Denver. “I thought to myself how great it would be to have my own band playing at a WYD,” he said.

While the band formed only a few years ago, its dedicated members meet often to play and have already released their first album, entitled Supernatural Love. The multi-faceted group, which plays at a variety of churches and youth events throughout the Archdiocese of Vancouver, writes and performs its own music.

In addition to lead singer and songwriter O’Neill, members include guitarist-vocalist Edward Della Luna, keyboard and backup guitarist-vocalist Kevin Eng, drummer Joe Sorensen, and bass guitarist James Sanders.

They say they want to show their love for Christ to young people through their music. As Sorensen pointed out, “We just want to jam, bring people to Christ, and have fun doing it.”

The others agree. Della Luna said, “The focus for me has not been the band, but more about drawing people to Christ in our own special way.” The band’s music, he added, “truly looks at the needs of the youth of the world and is pioneering in the Catholic Church.” Evangelization is their goal. “This music is not just about us and our experiences, but a modern way of evangelizing using old techniques,” said O’Neill.

Besides playing a number of original songs at World Youth Day, the band has also been asked to open for the critically acclaimed Catholic group Critical Mass at Days in the Dioceses in Peterborough, Ont. While the group is still fund-raising for its pilgrimage to Toronto, band members are confident that through prayer and CD and T-shirt sales, they will be able to attend. Sheep will be playing at several churches and events in preparation for WYD. They will be performing at St. Matthew’s parish June 15 and 16 for Father’s Day celebrations.

Sheep’s mission is clear, said Della Luna: “It is our prayer that, through our music, we will make a difference in the Catholic Church.” Sheep’s CD is available at Celebration Christian Store, 10249 King George Highway, in Surrey. (Thanks for the response it is now sold out but can be picked up by contacting Ed at Delalun@hotmail.com )

For more information on the group and performance information visit their Web site, http://sheeptheband.8m.com.

James O’Neill with his Brother Summer 2005

“This music is not just about us and our experiences, but a modern way of evangelizing using old techniques,”

“James at Freedom 99”

“James outside the Norwegian Dawn Boston 2007”

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