Views from the Choir Loft

Archives for July 2015

Dr. Lucas Tappan · July 6, 2015

A Must Have Resource for Catholic Schools

Pastors and music directors, this is for you!

Fr. David Friel · July 5, 2015

Vesting Prayers • Part 1 of 9

Over the coming weeks, I will present a series of reflections on the vesting prayers.

Jeff Ostrowski · July 4, 2015

Clarence Thomas: “I waited 25 years to return to the Church”

“Older people have an obligation not to spew their cynicism on our youth.” —Justice Thomas

Jeff Ostrowski · July 4, 2015

Musical Resources • 6th Sunday after Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)

The organist will play softly at the Offertory.

Veronica Brandt · July 4, 2015

Don’t compare your kids

It may feel like forever, but children do grow up. The days are long but the years are short. Today’s toddlers are tomorrow’s altar servers and choir members. Then we can look back and whisper a “Thanks be to God.”

Andrew Leung · July 3, 2015

Sacred Music Colloquium XXV — Update V

Report on the fifth day of the Sacred Music Colloquium in Pittsburgh

Richard J. Clark · July 3, 2015

I Have No Idea How to Solve this Problem

A dilemma for parents that has resurfaced many times is how to manage raising children in the faith while working for the Church, and I have no idea how to solve it.

Andrew Leung · July 2, 2015

Sacred Music Colloquium XXV — Update IV

Report on the fourth day of the Sacred Music Colloquium in Pittsburgh

Jeff Ostrowski · July 2, 2015

Annibale Bugnini’s Commentary (June 1967)

“The faithful everywhere have responded generously, and have greeted the new liturgy with great joy.” —Archbishop Bugnini (1967)

Corpus Christi Watershed · July 2, 2015

More Than 10,000 Attend Chartres Pilgrimage

“I considered myself to be a good Catholic, but when I went I realized how little I really cared for and lived my Faith.” —Margaret Walsh

Andrew Leung · July 1, 2015

Sacred Music Colloquium XXV — Update III

Report on the third day of the Sacred Music Colloquium in Pittsburgh

Jeff Ostrowski · July 1, 2015

Only Priests Can Save Catholic Music

Including thirteen (13) complete collections of Mass Propers…with audio examples!

“Music List” • 9 Nov. (Dedic. Lateran)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 9 November 2025, which is the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. 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 sensational feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Offertory (9 Nov.)

This year, the feast of 9 November replaces the Sunday. The OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF file) for 9 November is exceedingly beautiful. The ‘Laterani’ mansion at Rome was the popes’ residence for a thousand years. The church there still is the cathedral church of Rome—“Mother and Head of all churches of the City and of the World,” says the inscription over the entrance. It is dedicated to Our Holy Savior, but has long been commonly known as “St. John Lateran” owing to its famous baptistery of St. John the Baptist. In this church, the pope’s own ‘cathedra’ (episcopal chair) stands in the apse.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Job Opening • $65,000 per year +

A parish 15 minutes away from me is looking for a choir director and organist. The parish is filled with young families. When I began my career, I would have jumped at such an opportunity! Saint Patrick’s in Grand Haven has a job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year including benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” I lived in Kansas for 15 years, Texas for 10 years, and Los Angeles for 10 years. Michigan is the closest place I know to heaven!

—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