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).

“Music List” • Christ the King Sunday

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 23 November 2025, which is the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. In the 1970 Missal, this Sunday is known as: Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Universorum Regis (“Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe”). As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the magnificent feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Simplified” Keyboard Accompaniment (PDF)

I’d much rather hear an organist play a simplified version correctly than listen to wrong notes. I invite you to download this simplified organ accompaniment for hymn #729 in the Father Brébeuf Hymnal. The hymn is “O Jesus Christ, Remember.” I’m toying with the idea of creating a whole bunch of these, to help amateur organists. The last one I uploaded was downloaded more than 1,900 times in a matter of hours—so there seems to be interest in such a project. For the record, this famous text is often married to AURELIA, as it is in the Brébeuf Hymnal. The lyrics come from the pen of Father Edward Caswall (d. 1878), an Oratorian priest.

—Jeff Ostrowski

‘Bogey’ of the Half-Educated: Paraphrase

Father Adrian Porter, using the cracher dans la soupe example, did a praiseworthy job explaining the difference between ‘dynamic’ and ‘formal’ translation. This is something Monsignor Ronald Knox explained time and again—yet even now certain parties feign ignorance. I suppose there will always be people who pretend the only ‘valid’ translation of Mitigásti omnem iram tuam; avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ… would be “You mitigated all ire of you; you have averted from your indignation’s ire.” Those who would defend such a translation suffer from an unfortunate malady. One of my professors called it “cognate on the brain.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of November (2025)

On a daily basis, I speak to people who don’t realize we publish a free newsletter (although they’ve followed our blog for years). We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and refuse to run annoying ads. As a result, our mailing list is crucial to our survival. Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.

—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