Thoughts from Sandra

Mary’s Veil has been a gift to me. I am unsure why I have been given the privilege of telling Mary’s story, but over the course of the last 8 years, I know my life has been blessed because of Mary’s Veil. It is the story of a strong, courageous and loving woman who answered a call to service. It is my hope that the audience of Mary’s Veil will see and understand Mary as a "real" person who fully experienced the greatest joys and pains of life, just as we all do. And perhaps the play will inspire its audiences to live their lives with an understanding that we too have a personal call to service.

Mary’s Veil has an energy of it’s own which I cannot explain. I have seen the message gently speak to each member of the cast, crew and audience. For me the power of Mary’s Veil is in knowing that I have been invited to share in something that is much greater than myself.

I am excited to see Mary’s Veil return to the stage. Though I have made some changes to the music of the play, it remains the simple yet powerful story that it began. I am even more honored that the amazing volunteers of Villeneuve continue to share their time and talent to bring this music to life.

About Sandra

Sandra Brenneis is a Registered Psychologist, composer, playwright, wife and mother. Sandra is married to a wonderful man named Ryan and has a daughter and three sons, all of whom perform in Mary’s Veil. She lives in Villeneuve, a small community in rural Alberta, and has lived there most of her life. Sandra loves her community, the people in it and how they live. They work hard, play hard and help each other and over the last 8 years, the people of the communities in West Sturgeon have successfully built West Country Hearth, an aging in place facility for seniors.

Sandra is presently working part time as a System Psychologist for Sturgeon School Division, has a private practice, volunteers for several committees within her church and community and enjoys watching her four children participate in sporting and arts activities.

Sandra’s personal belief is to promote a philosophy of health and spiritual wholeness, in order to encourage acts of love, inspiration, faith and empowerment. Like any other working mother Sandra is busy with the daily commitments of work, family and community, but in the last several years Sandra has realized a personal calling to share her message of love and service through her music. Most people are familiar with Sandra’s first play, Mary’s Veil. Initiated as a fundraiser for West Sturgeon Aging in Place Foundation, Mary’s Veil ran four seasons and sold out 23 consecutive performances at the Arden Theatre in St. Albert. Motivated by the unanticipated healing impact of her music and by her personal conviction, that we can all make a difference in this world, Sandra wrote a second musical which opened in 2005, Lost Apostle. Because of her talent, hard work and commitment to helping others Sandra was the recipient of the Woman of Vision award in 2006 and The Bahai Faith International Women’s award in 2007.