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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

“Do not let anyone make you feel discouraged.”

Richard J. Clark · June 24, 2017

OMETIMES IT IS not the words themselves, but the source that matters. Usually, words are cheap. Actions speak loudest. But sometimes, I hear words that move me to move my heart.

Recently, such words came from my mother. Simple. True. Words from a lifetime of living in faith. Words that bore the weight of authority:

“Do not let anyone make you feel discouraged.”

Working in a professional capacity for the Church, it is sometimes just as easy to become discouraged as it is to feel uplifted. Apparently, I’ve discovered that the Church is filled with people just like me: Flawed. Imperfect. Human. (Made in God’s image? Really?) That’s debatable from my all too human eyes. By the way, I’ve got huge planks in both of them.

My mother’s advice echo verse one of the African American Spiritual, There is a Balm in Gilead: “Sometimes I feel discouraged And think my work’s in vain, But then the Holy Spirit Revives my Soul again.”

Clearly my mother received the Gift of Wisdom from the Holy Spirit and tried passing it on to me. Maybe a tiny bit got through.

UT HERE’S WISDOM: Gratitude. When I feel discouraged about making a living for my family in this profession—and doing so with a modicum of ever-elusive peace, another thing happens.

It seems I can suddenly rattle off a list a ridiculously amazing blessings in my life:

All your children are healthy? Hmmm. Yeah. God is watching over you. In fact, He made all that possible.

You have friends who might drive you crazy, but stick by you year after year even when you screw up? Um. Yeah.

You had trouble paying bills, but your wife and kids love you? Unconditionally? OK. Stop.

Wait…you got to make music in praise of God with some seriously amazing musicians? You got to do this and this with these beautiful people?

This is not to discount the struggles. There are real problems in the Church and real problems in society that must be addressed. But do not discount that God knows every hair on your head, and knows how to take care of you better than you do. (I’m proof of this.)

And here’s the final lesson: Trust in God alone. While sometimes the Church is on fire (sometimes with the Holy Spirit and sometimes not), God is the only one to trust. I.e., Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall want for nothing.”

Soli Deo gloria

P.S. Thanks, Mom.

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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
    “Music List” • 21st in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir returns on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for it, which is the 21st 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. When it comes to the feast of the Assumption (15 August 2025), I have uploaded the music list for that Mass—but not the “bi-lingual” Mass in the evening (Spanish, Latin, and English) which has completely different music.
    —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

“There is no music worth hearing save that written in the last 40 years.”

— Johannes Tinctoris (1477)

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