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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

($54,000 per year) • FSSP San Diego Seeks Choirmaster

Jeff Ostrowski · September 13, 2019

81657-st-anne-fssp E DO NOT USUALLY advertise jobs, but today I make an exception. That’s because a dear friend of mine asked me to help FSSP San Diego locate a choirmaster—I replied, “Father, I’ll do what I can to help spread the word.”

Before I continue, the worst thing you can do would be to contact me about this position. Potential candidates must send an email to Fr. John Lyons, FSSP. 1 Don’t email me.

I recommend going to the parish website and exploring the photo galleries:

    * *  St. Anne Parish Website (San Diego)

JOB DESCRIPTION :

• The position is salaried. It would begin at the present minimum level for an exempt worker in California—about $50,000. By next year that goes up another $4,000.

• The position qualifies for diocesan benefits.

• There’s one sung Mass on Sunday.

• There would be several other days throughout the year when the choir would be expected to sing: holy days, First Communion, Holy Week, and so forth. There are also weddings and funerals (for which the director would be paid extra).

• There would be one rehearsal during the week for the adult choir (and again just before Mass).

• There would be training of the choristers once a week, and an introductory music class for younger children.

• Since the last message was sent we have lost our organist. If one can both direct and play the organ that would be a plus, but not absolutely necessary to fill the position.

• There are maybe 12 members in the choir at present. There is presently no chorister program. We lost several of the younger voices when they went away to college. The rest of the members are more middle aged. The program needs rebuilding.

Fr. Lyons made this position available a few weeks ago. I was curious whether the position had been filled, since I direct at the FSSP parish in Los Angeles. It seems Father Lyons offered the position to one of the candidates, but that person later decided not to accept. So they are still looking…although people who applied a few weeks ago are still being considered. (At least that’s my understanding.)

81659-Saint-Anne-San-Diego




NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Full disclosure: I have never met the Pastor (Fr. Lyons, FSSP), but he’s a highly respected member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. Indeed, his reputation is stellar.

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

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th 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 dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    “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

Random Quote

The Council of Trent taught: “In this divine sacrifice which takes place at Mass, the same Christ is present and is immolated in an unbloody manner, Who once on the Cross offered Himself in a bloody manner. For the victim is one and the same, now offering through the ministry of priests, Who then offered Himself on the Cross; only the manner of offering is different” (Session XXII, cap. 2, Denzinger, n. 940).

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

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