A “Gospel Extravaganza” featuring the Corpus Christi Gospel Choir and other choirs will be held at the church Sunday, Feb. 12, to help fund a mission trip by the choir to Grenada.

One of a small number of Catholic churches with a gospel choir, the Corpus Christi Gospel Choir came together in July 1999 under the inspiration of Yvonne Gordon, its director. The Gospel Choir first sang for Corpus Christi in November 1999. Since then the choir has grown to over 20 members and sings on the third Sunday of each month at the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

The Gospel Choir is a diverse and international group. Nearly half of the choir members were born in the Caribbean islands, including Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica, St. Lucia and Montserrat. Gospel Choir members also hail from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, England, South Africa, St Louis, Birmingham, New York City and even Vienna, Ga. Although the majority of the choir members have had on-the-job training, several members have had between 12 and 16 years of music experience and one is a professional musician.

This year the Corpus Christi Gospel Choir is planning a mission trip to Grenada. In 2004 the Caribbean islands were devastated by a series of hurricanes, one of which totally destroyed the Catholic cathedral in Grenada. The Gospel Choir plans to bring a message of hope and faith to the people of Grenada through a ministry of music and to help raise funds to restore the cathedral. While in Grenada, the choir will perform at local churches and at the Grenada Convention Center. All funds raised during the trip will be donated to the Catholic diocese. The trip is planned for March 30 to April 7.

To raise funds for airfare and lodging for choir members, they have planned several fundraising events, including the “Gospel Music Extravaganza” featuring the Corpus Christi Gospel Choir, The Voices of Restoration Choir, and the Church in the Now Choir, as well as other local musicians. It will be held at Corpus Christi Church on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. The church is located at 600 Mountain View Drive, Stone Mountain. All are welcome. A love offering will be taken up.

The choir welcomes donations. Contributors who donate $15 or more will be granted honorary membership in the Gospel Choir and will receive a free Gospel Choir T-shirt. Donations of goods and services for a silent auction are also welcome. A bake sale and silent auction will be held after all Masses on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12. For information call the church at (770) 469-0395.