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Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?

Jeff Ostrowski · May 15, 2014

514 hap E HARDLY EVER engage in “navel-gazing” on this blog, mainly because there’s so much work to be done!

But there’s another reason. Sometimes there’s too much to say. And because there is too much to say, sometimes we don’t say anything.

For example, if I were to list all the people who inspire me, none of you would read it, because it would be so long. I’d probably start with my wife, children, parents, brother in the seminary … well, you get the idea!

BUT TODAY I WANTED TO SAY how much inspiration I draw from … you!

Each week, we receive so many letters from all over the world. So many generous, holy people trying to make sure the Liturgy is how God wants it. It truly is humbling to read of the sacrifices some of you make. Thank you for your service to the Holy Catholic Church!

I wanted to quote a song, but I can’t remember the lyrics. 1 I’m so irritated that I’ve forgotten it. Basically, the song was about a man who regrets not telling a family member how much he loved him (her?), but it’s too late because that person is dead. Oh, well. I’m sure I’ll remember some day.

Since I cannot remember that song, I’ll share another one, quite moving, IMHO:

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
‘Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven.

I believe that song was written to a child who died: how terrible is that? How painful is that? Wow.

Friends, I understand fully the difficulties that stand in the way of a Church musician in the year 2014. As my mentor always said, “The life of a Church musician is a life of sacrifice.” Sometimes the difficulties seem insurmountable. At Watershed, we try to assist your work, but only God can ultimately fix everything.

I believe that holy and reverent liturgies are making a comeback. This is because people are looking for what is BEST and HOLIEST, not simply what’s “allowed.” An ever-present danger is the particular sensibility of musicians. Musicians tend to fight with one another over the DUMBEST things. I once knew a musician who stormed out after Mass because the tempo of a hymn was “wrong” in his view. I’ve written about this before:

      * *  More unites us than divides us!



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   I have pretty much every song written in the 1970s and 1980s memorized, because my father listened to those songs.

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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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).

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President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“At the hour for the Divine Office, | as soon as the signal is heard, | let them abandon whatever they may have in hand | and hasten with the greatest speed, | yet with seriousness, so that there is no excuse for levity. | Let nothing be preferred to the sacred liturgy.”

— Rule of St. Benedict (Chapter 43)

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  • PDF Download • Liturgical Round (“Canon”) for your Children’s Choir
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  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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