In the late 1960's through the eighties, The Maria Alonzo Goretti Group was the toast of the town. Most believed it was strictly a choral body. However, Maria Alonzo, their founder/leader, or "Moms" as she is fondly called, says firmly: "The whole purpose of the Goretti Group has never been to be a choir to enter the Music Festival. We are an apostolic group looking after the poor and needy. For instance we are in the Adopt a School programme. And every month, through the ages, provided hampers for an adopted family."
Not much has been heard of the Goretti Group since the celebration of its 20th anniversary in 1988 at the Holy Name Convent Chapel, because of Maria's ill health. "That was the last big function" says the still very beautiful woman who no longer performs as her lungs cannot cope with singing. "But this does not stop meetings of the group, they met up to this year on July 6, the Feast of St Maria Goretti, which also happens to be my birthday and so I celebrate with them."
Neither has not being able to sing taken away from her appreciation of music: "My daily schedule includes listening to classical music, and music around the world at different times of day, that is my therapy." Maria's has been an exciting life. She has had her ups and downs like every other human being and if the story of her life were to be written, it would most probably fill the entire paper.
At the end of her schooling as a boarder at St Joseph's Convent, Maria was handed over to the French Dominican Nuns at Holy Name Convent where she lived and started teaching kindergarten. In her late teens she migrated to Australia and lived there for several years, becoming an Australian citizen. It was there that she started her career as a singer on radio and television, and at the Hilton Hotel and the Bondi Ice Bergs Club, both in Sydney.
Maria was also teaching for the nuns in Sydney, who encouraged her to study for a language degree at the Catholic University. " I was teaching, studying for my degree and entertaining, all at the same time. But as always the nuns were there for me. They have influenced my life, they have taught me how to pray and in my darkest hours the priests and nuns were always there. I thank God for the nuns, especially the Irish and French Dominicans, they made me a success and I do thank them for it."
It was when Maria returned to Trinidad in the late 60's, while teaching religion and language to thirty-something very rebellious Form Five children at Holy Name Convent, that the idea came to her to start them off on keep fit and modern dance. Fatima boys joined them and the group began demonstrating keep-fit around the country.
She was also resident singer at La Boucan in the Hilton with Dennis De Souza as accompanist. And since her group had added singing Christmas Carols to their other semi-apostolic activities, Maria suggested to the Manager that they be allowed to entertain the visitors at Christmas: "Singing was not the main issue." Yet it was out of this success that the Mario Alonzo Goretti Group became a singing group, and took for its motto : "If I can help somebody with a word or song then my living will not be in vain."
In the seventies, Maria and The Gorettis organised a Folk Mass in church for the visitors from St Catharine's Ontario, with which Trinidad and Tobago is twinned. "It was the first folk mass in Trinidad and Tobago and in fact in the Caribbean, accompanied by the non- traditional guitar and steel orchestra. The late Archbishop Pantin was our patron and gave his approval. Father Gerry Pantin is our Spiritual Advisor." Out of this Mass the famous "Sing Out my Soul" was recorded and has since sold thousands of copies all over the world.
Maria, personally has performed worldwide. She was invited to sing the American National Anthem at two world title fights, which were televised worldwide for the World Boxing Council. The Gorettis have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean, United States and Canada, singing on invitation from the United Nations in New York, which led to "Moms" being presented with a Gold Peace Medal for her contribution to world peace for her involvement with youth and music. Two awards have also come from the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance of New York, U.S.A. and from the Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, U.S.A.
And although Maria's health prevents her being involved in the way she used to be, she is optimistic that the Gorettis will be revived as a group. "There are about 400 members, one Goretti for each day of the year, as from the day the group was formed in 1967, the enrolment of members has been ongoing." It is a case of once a Goretti, always a Goretti so even if you have not been around for years, Maria still considers her members Gorettis and will tell you "they can get together at a moment's notice, and still sing for Masses."