Views from the Choir Loft

CCWatershed Is In Financial Trouble!

Jeff Ostrowski · May 25, 2022

E HAVE ALWAYS acted under the assumption that Church musicians have absolutely nothing. They’re not wealthy; they’re usually underpaid. For this reason, I’ve been profoundly reluctant to seek financial assistance (although I support everything our organization does 100% and I’m proud to be part of it). In truth, I’ve done a decidedly poor job soliciting money from readers.

Unsustainable: Because I seldom ask for money, we’ve been forced to make other arrangements. Not long ago, I obtained a $5,000 donation for CCW from a generous family member—to keep us in the black. Yesterday, because our organization was short on funds, I had to write a check from my personal bank account for $1,323. You can see that cheque with your own eyes if you download this 1-page letter:

* PDF Download • “CCWatershed Is In Financial Trouble”
—2022 financial appeal by the president of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Clearly, we need your help!

We Can Do This! Our website gets enormous traffic. Last year, we garnered 1,450,000 page views. When we post PDF files, the response is tremendous. Recently, I posted a PDF that was not exceptionally important … and it was downloaded 449 times! Before that, a list of hymns was posted … and it was downloaded 955 times! If everyone donates a tiny amount, we can meet our goals. Please consider becoming a $5.00 monthly donor.

* Click Here To Donate!
—Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.

The donation process is simple and secure.

Not Ashamed: By the way, I’m not ashamed to beg for money. I believe so strongly in what our organization stands for, I’m happy to be considered a “fool for Christ’s sake” (I Corinthians 4:10). What we’ve been able to accomplish has been done according to the Divine Providence of Jesus Christ. He is the Lord and the Master; we are merely “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10). In spite of a chillingly dark and depressing culture, we place our trust in God and look forward to serving Him as long as He allows. We hope that you derive joy and hope from our imperfect efforts.

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

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).

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). 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 top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—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