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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Booklet for Congregation

Jeff Ostrowski · April 10, 2017

HAT WE REFER TO as “progress” is not always true progress. For example, the creation of television—where producers supply all the sights and sounds—has led to a society incapable of listening carefully. We no longer appreciate beautiful language or powerful sermons, and the fact that we don’t close our eyes and listen has harmed our imaginations. How sad we no longer make believe!

Many churches are installing “movie screens” into church, for people to follow the liturgy. This will fail, just as the “YouTube news” effort failed. People like to read (or skim) at their own pace, and that’s why missals and booklets are so wonderful for prayer.

Here’s a page from a booklet I produced ten years ago, for my wedding:

263 Latin Booklets


I think you’ll agree the booklet I created for last year’s Sacred Music Symposium is more professional, although far from perfect:

    * *  PDF Download • 2016 SYMPOSIUM BOOKLET (47 pages)

The wedding booklet I mentioned contained sketches of the Mass expertly drawn by my mother. Getting the Solemn Pontifical Mass just right required research:

260 Mother Sketch


Each person was sketched “true to life.” For example, the Deacon has a tonsure and hood, because he’s Franciscan. My father and uncle served as Acolytes, so one Acolyte (shown on the right) was drawn with a beard because my uncle has a beard in real life, as this photograph from the 2007 wedding shows. 1

I hope to improve when it comes to making Mass booklets, because I believe this is what Vatican II wanted: helping Catholics enter more deeply into the sacrifice of the Mass. May I share with you a secret? The best way to make booklets is to just start making them. With each booklet you create, you’ll get better and better.

P.S.

I scanned into PDF seven sketches I was able to locate.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Many have asked why I always wear the Filipino “Barong Tagalog” when I conduct. I do this because I was so impressed seeing all the members of my wife’s family dressed in the Barong. Here’s my wife’s brother at the wedding: very impressive, no?

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download 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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“All those who take part in sacred music, as composers, organists, choir directors, singers, or musicians should above all give good example of Christian life to the rest of the faithful because they directly or indirectly participate in the sacred liturgy.”

— Directive issued under Pope Pius XII on 3 Sept. 1958

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