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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

Watershed Turns Nine Today!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 19, 2015

ORPUS CHRISTI WATERSHED was established nine years ago. I discovered CCW shortly after its founding and began doing contract labor. 1 We started creating projects dedicated to the Jesuit Martyrs, whom I had admired for years. 2 Years later, someone claimed that CCW was founded on the Jesuit Martyrs’ feast. I was familiar with their Extraordinary Form date—26 September—but not their Ordinary Form date. About four years ago, I discovered this piece of paper:

181 CCW Birthday


Remember: that date was chosen by the State of Texas. Coincidence? You decide!

MY PRAYER GOING FORWARD is for God to give us the grace to avoid the negative and focus on the positive. That can be quite difficult sometimes.

Nothing is easier than writing provocative, sensationalist headlines for blog articles. We try to avoid that.

Nothing is easier than finding falsehoods on the internet and “exposing” them in a blog article. The problem is, doing that usually elevates the falsehoods.

Nothing is easier than spreading gossip online. We try to avoid it.

Nothing is easier than writing snarky, slanted articles which reveal a lack of charity on the part of the author and (ultimately) insult the intelligence of the readers. We try to avoid that.

THE CHALLENGE IS, using the above techniques almost guarantees “attention” and web traffic. Talking about perennial truths seldom garners as many “clicks” as provocative headlines or character assassination. I think this is because of HUMAN NATURE—something our pastor often mentioned during his sermons years ago. Most people would rather click on an article about a famous priest who got caught sinning than a tutorial on how to sing Gregorian chant.

But we will continue trying to focus on the positive, because we believe it’s what God wants us to do. An example of something positive: we made available this remarkable book about the Jesuit Martyrs of North America. I cannot recommend that book highly enough. 3



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Watershed still had paid employees in 2007. We no longer have paid employees—we’re a 100% volunteer organization. Someday, if we can find find the funding, we’d like to again have paid employees.

2   I dedicated my first CD to these martyrs in 2001.

3   We hope to do more projects honoring those martyrs. God-willing, we’re just getting started!

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    A Nice Hymn In Spanish
    In my humble opinion, this is a really beautiful hymn in Spanish. If I practice diligently, I’ll be able to pronounce all the words properly. If you’re someone who’s interested in obtaining a melody only version (suitable for your congregational ORDER OF WORSHIP) you can steal that from this.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

Had the Church never spoken on this matter, it would still be repugnant to our Catholic people’s sense of what is fit and proper in the holiest of places, that a priest should have to struggle through the prayers of the Holy Mass, because of such tunes as “Alice, where art thou?” the “Vacant Chair,” and others of more vulgar title, which, through the carelessness or bad judgment of organists, sometimes find their way into our choirs.

— Preface to a Roman Catholic Hymnal (1896)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.