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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

Interview • Brandon Harvey, Founder of a New Institute

Andrew Leung · February 4, 2016

CTL The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant T IS MY PRIVILEGE to be able to interview Brandon Harvey, the founder of a new Catholic Institute, The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant. I got really excited when he first told me that he is starting this institute and his vision. He has been working really hard to “build” this new institute.

Mr. Harvey is a husband and father with a passion for the mission of the Church. He earned his undergraduate formation in theology and philosophy from Briar Cliff University (BA), graduate formation in Theology and Christian Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville (MA) and did some graduate studies at the Liturgical Institute of Mundelein and the International Marian Research Institute. He is currently working on preliminary doctoral studies. He has served the Church as a Director of Religious Education, Director of Youth Ministry, Evangelization Director, Instituted Acolyte, Professor, Deacon Formation Instructor, Catechist, Speaker and Theological Consultant.

What is the Mission of The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant? How will the Institute serve the Catholic Church?

The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant strives to develop Catholic ministry leaders through a theology and methodology that flows from and is directed to the Eucharist, with formation opportunities that are practical, convenient and affordable. Following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Institute reflects on and participates in the work of Christ the Servant in the Sacred Liturgy, the proclamation of the Gospel, and works of mercy.

The institute will serve the Church by empowering parish and school leaders/volunteers through its formation programs.

Who inspired you to found this new institute?

Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI is who inspires me regularly. Reading his work and seeing the example of his humility and holiness inspires me. This is why I named my first son Benedict and my second Joseph Ratzinger. Benedict XVI is known for liturgy but to be truthful, his legacy is much more. He understood the organic whole of the Church’s faith. Too often we have camps in the Church of liberal, conservative, charismatic and traditional. Benedict XVI was able to present the issues of the Church in a way that brings together all the issues important to the differing camps: evangelization and catechesis, the Sacred Liturgy, social justice etc. It also becomes clear that the ministry leaders within the Church need this same inner unity. Youth Ministry workers often organize liturgies, Social Justice Advocates often proclaim the good news, and catechists find themselves needing to evangelize. As one DRE said to me, “I was embarrassed for putting the wrong colors out for Mass and using the wrong readings at a Confirmation Mass. How was I to know? I never went to school for liturgy.”

The institute has also been inspired by listening to the needs of pastors, current ministry leaders and those that have left parish work. This has motivated us to help find new avenues to make it easier for paid and volunteer ministry leaders to receive formation regardless of their salary, educational background and their vocation.

What kind of programs will the Institute offer?

We continue to develop ways to offer academic programs without undue burden.

We are beginning to offer basic level pilots through our “professional training” programs. These will be offered on a Basic, Advanced and Master level for certification. The certification can be in either Sacred Liturgy or in Evangelization and Catechesis. These courses focus on Church teaching, ministry spirituality and methodology from a mentor currently in the trenches of ministry. Our pilot courses: Scripture, Apologetics, Catechesis, Evangelization, Youth Ministry, the Sacred Liturgy, the Baptismal Rite and Mystagogy I. These are not all the courses but simply the pilot options.

We also have some conferences in the works. Our youth conference will be July 29-31 of 2016: Champions of the Tau Youth Conference. This youth conference will be discipleship based and of a smaller size to allow this discipleship. It will also allow us to use the chapel for Mass, Adoration, Confession and the Divine Office. We will be providing catechetical breakouts for youth and breakouts just for adult chaperones to help prepare them for life after the conference. Please pray for this conference and for the recruitment of groups.

Lastly we are working on developing ministry resources in the form of evangelization programs for parishes, bible studies, publications and podcasts.

Most of our programs will be offered online with some live conferences, classes etc.

Who is teaching in your programs?

Our website currently does not have the instructors listed online until they begin teaching. They are people passionate about the Church who understand the centrality of the liturgy, have advanced degrees and are currently in the trenches of ministry life in some way.

Do you think liturgical studies are important for Catholic educators and ministry leaders? Why?

It is of great importance. Major! The liturgy, specifically the Eucharist, is the “source and summit” of all Christian life. It impacts the theology, spirituality and methodology of evangelists, catechists, youth ministry leaders, bible studies, prolife workers, peace advocates, deacons, Catholic school teachers and the list goes on.

St. Francis of Assisi should be known as a man who evangelized and catechized through his words and actions, and as a man that lived as a social justice advocate (to use language from today). What may surprise many is that St. Francis had a high volume of liturgical issues come up in his writings. Through these writings we can see how the liturgy played an important part in what he said and did. This is why St. Francis of Assisi plays an important role in the institute.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

This is an exciting time but it is also just the beginning. Please pray for us or offer Mass for the Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant, the recruitment for the youth conference and professional training pilots. Consider going to our Facebook page and helping us increase our network with amazing Catholics like all of you.

CTL The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant 3 CTL The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant 2 CTL The Ministry Institute of Christ the Servant 1
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 Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus 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.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Before any seminarian is accepted for ordination, he must not only strive for chastity but actually achieve it. He must already be living chaste celibacy peacefully and for a prolonged period of time—for if this be lacking, the seminarian and his formators cannot have the requisite confidence that he is called to the celibate life.”

— Archbishop Viganò (16 February 2019)

Recent Posts

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  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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