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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

“Episcopalian” Music vs. “Catholic” Music? Wrong question!

Jeff Ostrowski · April 22, 2013

OU WON’T BE SURPRISED when I say that I speak to many different Church musicians on a daily basis. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard the following comment from one of my buddies, I’d be a rich man:

“You Catholics ought to learn from the Episcopal Church. In the Episcopal Church we do Sacred music correctly. Your parishes are awful, but ours are wonderful.”

When I hear comments like these, I bite my tongue. I don’t argue. I don’t respond. There’s no point in responding. But in my heart, I know the truth, and here’s the truth:

Some Catholic churches have fantastic Sacred music. Others do not. Some Episcopalian churches have fantastic Sacred music. Others do not. Some Anglican churches have fantastic Sacred music. Others do not.

Here’s a video from an Episcopal Church filmed on Easter of 2013:

The reality of the situation is that the Catholic Church is the True Church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. At the end of the day, the crucial question is not whether such-and-such a church has nicer music than such-and-such a Catholic church.

That being said, we are called by our Lord to take the liturgy very seriously. We are called to recognize that the Mass is the Sacrifice of Calvary. Those who insist on music contrary to what Church legislation allows will have to answer for their actions when they die. I would not want to be in their shoes. May God help us always to serve Him, so that we can one day be happy with Him in Heaven.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Jeff Ostrowski

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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

5 April 2021 • When Girls *SING*

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • Condemned?

On Palm Sunday, the Passion was read. Immediately after mention is made of the betrayal by Judas, the Holy Eucharist is introduced. Is this not a condemnation of “Christians” who deny the Church teaching on the SANCTISSIMUM? Here is Matthew 26: And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: “Is it I, Rabbi?” He saith to him: “Thou hast said it.” And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“It introduces us to a still and serious world, deserted and rigid, without colour, without light, without motion; it does not gladden, does not distract; yet we cannot break away from it.”

— ‘Schweitzer on the THEME from Bach’s “Art of Fugue”’

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