Deacon Anthony Siino

Growing up in the Bronx, "Deacon Tony" began his music career at age seven with piano lessons. While being mentored by his grandfather, and through his teenage years of formal training, he mastered his art and showcased his talents in various music competitions and recitals. As time went by, this classically trained musician/composer applied his knowledge of music composition and theory to the study of piano and organ.  

Deacon Tony entered the realm of Christian music composition so that he could unite his deep-rooted love and knowledge of scripture, with the classical roots of his formal training.

He founded the group APOSTOLICA in 2006 with Sherry Ottoson so as to evangelize the Word of God through the medium of music. The group has performed at numerous concert venues and events throughout New York and New Jersey. APOSTOLICA showcases a variety of genres to the audience, offering a musical kaleidoscope of original songs ranging from Rock to Caribbean to Sacred dirges. Deacon Tony has also composed numerous musical settings of the Sacred Mass including the Gloria, Confiteor, Psalms, Alleluia, Sanctus, Agnes Dei and Amen, in addition to Communion and Offertory hymns.

Ordained in 1991, Deacon Tony enjoys preaching God's Word and has brought his speaking skills and knowledge of Sacred Scripture to a wider audience through the establishment of APOSTOLICA Ministries.  Combining a strong spiritual message with their  original music, APOSTOLICA Ministries reaches out to all Christians through Parish Missions, Retreats, Spiritual Concerts and Speaking Engagements.  The powerful impact of their music and message have brought many people to closer to Christ.

Sherry Ottoson

Sherry discovered her passion for singing Christian music at an early age. As a young child, she would spend hours in the backyard, on her swing set, singing “Jesus Loves Me” and other hymns she had learned in Sunday School. By the age of seven, she was the lead soloist in the children’s choir at her church. She continued to sing in various choirs throughout her school years, later studying voice in college. She has received numerous vocal music awards

A lifelong New Jersey resident, Sherry was raised in a Protestant home. As an adult, she began attending Mass regularly with a friend, and found that she felt at home in the Catholic faith. She joined the RCIA program and was confirmed a Catholic. Hearing her singing from the pews, her pastor encouraged her to join the choir and become a cantor. There she met Deacon Tony and discovered they shared the same passion for music and Scriptures. The two immediately “hit it off” and have been working together ever since.

Sherry's engaging personality and emotional interpretation of the music heightens an awareness of God's love to all who hear her sing.   Anyone who sees Sherry performing comes to realize that her love for singing is only surpassed by her love for evangelization of God’s Word through music and faith-sharing.

Sherry candidly shares stories of how she overcame her own personal struggles of depression, addiction and abuse through prayer, perseverance, her deep faith in Christ and devotion to the Blessed Mother. The focus of her talk is for women who are struggling to realize that they are not alone and to recognize God's goodness and presence in their lives.

“There is no way to change my past, no matter how much I try to bury it it will always be a part of me.
  I am the only one who can control the power it has over my life.  I am a survivor and my experiences have led me to draw 
the strength to be a witness to others that through Faith and God’s unconditional love, you can get through anything.”