Views from the Choir Loft

Fr. Robert E. Barron To Be Made A Bishop!

Jeff Ostrowski · July 21, 2015

R. ROBERT BARRON was named by Pope Francis as AUXILIARY BISHOP of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles earlier this morning, along with Msgr. Joseph V. Brennan and Msgr. David G. O’Connell. For the moment, those priests are called “bishop-elect.”

When I was in Texas, the parish we attended used a series of videos—created with great skill by the (secular) Public Broadcasting System—which featured talks on the Catholic Faith by Fr. Robert Barron. I was not able to attend them, ¹ but many of my friends & fellow parishioners told me Fr. Barron did a remarkable job.

I thought it was commendable that Fr. Robert Barron was following the advice of Pope Benedict XVI (pope during that period) by using modern technology to evangelize. Moreover, it is my understanding that Francis Cardinal George was a “friend and mentor” to Fr. Robert Barron. Cardinal George was one of the best bishops in the USA, so it seems Los Angeles is in for a treat!

I’ve not yet had an opportunity to meet MSGR. DAVID O’CONNELL. However, our FSSP chaplain here in Los Angeles has spoken numerous times of his admiration for MSGR. JOSEPH BRENNAN. Here’s an excerpt sent out this morning:

I am really excited that Msgr. Joseph Brennan has also been appointed. He is one of the finest priests I know, and he has been so helpful to me, trying to get the FSSP parish established.

What is an auxiliary bishop? The way it was explained to me, a bishop cannot have jurisdiction “nowhere.” So, the pope often names auxiliary bishops to a large diocese, while naming them TITULAR BISHOP of some Catholic diocese that no longer really exists. Therefore, a bishop cannot truly be named “auxiliary” for a diocese.

NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1 Our first child had just been born.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

“Music List” • Christ the King Sunday

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 23 November 2025, which is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. In the 1970 Missal, this Sunday is known as: Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Universorum Regis (“Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”). As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the magnificent feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Simplified” Keyboard Accompaniment (PDF)

I’d much rather hear an organist play a simplified version correctly than listen to wrong notes. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment for hymn #729 in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal. The hymn is “O Jesus Christ, Remember.” I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 1,900 times in a matter of hours—so there seems to be interest in such a project. For the record, this famous text is often married to AURELIA, as it is in the Brébeuf Hymnal. The lyrics come from the pen of Father Edward Caswall (d. 1878), an Oratorian priest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Bogey’ of the Half-Educated: Paraphrase

Father Adrian Porter, using the cracher dans la soupe example, did a praiseworthy job explaining the difference between ‘dynamic’ and ‘formal’ translation. This is something Monsignor Ronald Knox explained time and again—yet even now certain parties feign ignorance. I suppose there will always be people who pretend the only ‘valid’ translation of Mitigásti omnem iram tuam; avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ… would be “You mitigated all ire of you; you have averted from your indignation’s ire.” Those who would defend such a translation suffer from an unfortunate malady. One of my professors called it “cognate on the brain.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski