Speaker Series at Our Lady of Angels kicks off with concert by Dr. ValLimar Jansen

By Catholic San Francisco

In honor of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, Our Lady of Angels parish in Burlingame is hosting a “Let the Spirit Move You” speakers series throughout the year. The Jubilee events kicked off on Sunday, March 30, with a performance by Dr. ValLimar Jansen, an international, award-winning singer and theatrical performer.

The performance included a guided meditation of salvation history through various characters in the Bible, including the creation of the world, a reflection on Elizabeth and the Magnificat, as well as a reflection on Martha and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Each meditation was paired with music that Jansen invited the congregation to join her in singing.

A secondary part of Jansen’s message was that the people of God in the pews at Church are the primary choir. At each of the Masses over the weekend at Our Lady of Angels and during her performance, she continually encouraged the congregation to sing—not just during her event, but every time we go to Mass. As the primary choir, the Catholic faithful are invited to join the secondary choir—the musicians and Church choir members—in entering more deeply into the Eucharistic celebration through chanting and singing the chosen hymns. 

The upcoming events in the speaker series include:

Michael Collopy: World-renowned portrait photographer and author will speak on April 30.

Jen Norton: Fine artist and author will speak and hold a workshop on September 25.  

Father Greg Boyle: Best-selling author and founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program, will close the 2025 series on December 4.

All events are free to the public.

Photos: Mary Powers