Catholic Songwriter Kate Baumer Expresses Her Faith Through Song
Campus Feature
Music Ministry
Catholic Songwriter Kate Baumer Expresses Her Faith Through Song
By Kenneth DeGraaf — Student Writer
Not too long ago , Kate Baumer was a freshman at Michigan State University pursuing a career in politics . Today , she is a student in the Theological Studies Program at Siena Heights University ’ s Lansing location , where she is heavily engaged in her passion of Catholic songwriting . Safe to say , God had other plans for her .
Growing up Catholic , Baumer said it never truly hit her heart until she got involved with her youth groups in high school . After discerning that politics at MSU wasn ’ t the path for her , Baumer looked to SHU to gather the tools needed to articulate the Catholic faith as both a minister and a songwriter .
“ I really loved MSU ,” Baumer said , “ but I found myself in a lot of situations of adversity where people really didn ’ t agree with , or even respect , my faith . In these times , I would go to the basement of my dorm and just start writing music .”
“ The next thing I knew , I was sharing this music with my friends , and then eventually groups of high school students ,” she continued . “ I guess it all fell together when I started speaking with this , too . It ’ s not what I expected at all . … But as long as God is opening these doors in my life , I ’ ll keep pursuing his love through it all and sharing it through my music .”
Back in January , Baumer successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign online to support her album recording expenses .
The CD , which will feature seven original songs and three cover tunes , is expected to be released in May or June of this year .
“ I think in a world where we are all so disillusioned with what really matters , it ’ s important to be a witness of positivity and bigger purpose through Christianity ,” Baumer said . “ Music moves the heart like nothing else can , so it ’ s a great way to reach people who otherwise might have not been exposed to the possibility of a relationship with God . Of course , a lot of my music is basically Christian , but for me , there is definitely this deeper connection to my Catholic beliefs . It ’ s also really cool to be able to bring contemporary Christian music to the Catholic denomination . Not as if one genre or music is better or worse , but it ’ s humbling to be a part of making spiritual music more accessible to people in the modern age .”
One song on her album Baumer said she holds specifically close to her heart is titled “ On my Mind .” A demo of the song can be found on her web site : www . katebaumer . com .
“ I wrote this one in my dorm basement at Michigan State ,” she said . “ I was so excited about what God could have in store for me that I couldn ’ t even sleep . I was up late one night just wondering what in the world I was going to do about my conflicting interests in politics and ministry . I just came to the prayerful realization that I needed to follow where God was calling me . … And now I see that ’ s led me to music .”
Another one of Baumer ’ s favorite songs is called “ True Colors ,” a song she actually wrote out of frustration with God .
“ Sometimes faith isn ’ t black and white , and we just don ’ t understand why God has let a certain situation work out in the way it has ,” she said . “ One day in prayer it just really hit me that it ’ s okay that I don ’ t understand everything about God ’ s ways . … Just reflecting on Jesus ’ sacrifice of love on the cross brings us to know that everything we will ever experience is already accounted for . Following God as a disciple of Christ doesn ’ t mean you ’ ll never feel pain , but it does bring you to His never-ceasing , all-satisfying love .”
Through challenging herself and following the path God has set for her , Baumer said she finds herself combining her passion for music and the Catholic faith to reach out to modern audiences in a more diverse way as she furthers her studies as a minister at SHU , which offers a certificate program with approval from the Diocese of Lansing .
“ I have met some really supportive friends through the program who I have been able to lean on throughout the whole process ,” Baumer said of her SHU experience . “ Siena has given me the opportunity to work with people who support me in my faith , but also challenge me in a way that pushes me to be the best minister through my music I can be .” u
8 | Reflections Summer ’ 16