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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Not Your Grandmother’s Creed

Jeff Ostrowski · January 26, 2016

HE FIRST TIME I HEARD the name “David Haas” was on a CMAA website a few years ago. He was posting there, but when people started asking him questions he left—and never returned. (At least that’s my recollection.) It turns out David Haas is an extremely popular composer for the Ordinary Form. 1 I’ve never forgotten his last name because of its memorable spelling. A Facebook Creed by David Haas was sent to me this morning. Much could be said about his edict, but I don’t have time for a long post today. 2

Many have expressed deep concern over the lyrics in popular Catholic hymnals—and this “Creed” illustrates the validity of such concerns. Consider a few excerpts:

“Ministry Creed” by David Haas (Excerpts)
Copyright © 2015 by David Haas

Ministry is not about whether one believes in God
—it’s about following the Christ.

Ministry is not about getting into heaven
—it’s about the promise of a paradise.

Ministry is not about striving to be holy
—it’s about recognizing that without God we can do nothing.

Ministry is not about convincing others about a truth
—it’s about allowing discovery to be nurtured.

Ministry is not about promoting doctrine
—it’s about announcing Jesus.

Ministry is not about providing a map for eternal life
—it’s about nurturing life right now, to the full.

Ministry is not about providing solutions
—it’s about facing the quandaries.

Ministry is not about providing clarity
—it’s about celebrating ambiguity.

Ministry is not about reading scripture
—it’s about becoming the living Word.

Ministry is not about providing answers
—it’s about provoking more and more fresh questions.

819 David Haas It’s difficult to understand why Mr. Haas feels the need to condemn the beliefs of others. Many of us believe that ministry is about trying to help people attain Heaven; many of us believe part of ministry is providing answers & solutions; and so forth. Moreover, this “Creed” by David Haas contradicts in a powerful way the example of ministry given to us by Jesus Christ.

That is why I hope Mr. Haas will consider getting rid of his “Creed” and instead focus on positive things, like promoting authentic sacred music by great composers.

 


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Growing up in the 1990s, my (Ordinary Form) parish used the GLORY & PRAISE HYMNAL. I suspect David Haas came to prominence after this book was published, which explains why I don’t know his songs. The ones I knew as a child were: Abba Father; Be Not Afraid; Yahweh I Know You Are Near; Sing A Simple Song Unto The Lord; You Who Dwell In The Shelter Of The Lord; This Little Light Of Mine; Though The Mountains May Fall; and so forth. As far as I know, none of those are by David Haas.

2   For example, haeresim sapiens comes to mind when I read statements like “ministry is not about believing in God.”

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: David Haas Composer GIA Last Updated: April 17, 2024

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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

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

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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