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Corpus Christi Watershed

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Views from the Choir Loft

Jeff Ostrowski • Article Archive

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He completed studies in Education and Musicology at the graduate level. Having worked as a church musician in Los Angeles for ten years, in 2024 he accepted a position as choirmaster for Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Michigan, where he resides with his wife and children. —Read full biography (with photographs).

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2013

What Do We Think Of Cell Phones At Mass?

I have noticed a certain tendency at EF Masses which causes me concern. Please allow me to “think out loud” and let me know your thoughts, as well.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2013

A Culture Obsessed With Sensationalism

It’s bizarre that both conductor and pianist were too lazy to discuss things like tempi beforehand.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 25, 2013

How Bad Was It?

Someday, my children might ask: “Do you remember the first ICEL translation of the Roman Missal?”

Jeff Ostrowski · October 24, 2013

Details About Sung Masses In “The Old Days”

“During a High Mass, the Choir will begin the Graduale etc. while the Priest recites the Epistle.” — St. Gregory Hymnal (1941)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2013

The Secret “Mora Vocis” of the Vatican Edition

Here are seven (7) videos explaining how to sing according to the rhythm of the Editio Vaticana (Vatican Edition) created by Abbot Pothier at the request of Pope Pius X.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 23, 2013

Concerning Proofreading And Capitalization

Some editors believe in their hearts there is only one “correct” way

Jeff Ostrowski · October 22, 2013

Does The Vatican II Lectionary Distort Scripture?

“I have noticed that when the present Lectionary occasionally proposes a ‘Shorter Form’ for one of the Gospel readings, the lines edited are something Our Lord said that comfortable people would rather He had not said.” — Fr. George W. Rutler

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Alfons Cardinal Stickler, Peritus during Vatican II

When a certain bishop stood up at Vatican II and expressed concern that “the entire Mass might be held in the language of the people,” the entire hall burst into uproarious laughter.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Bishop Carroll and Vernacular in the Liturgy c. 1787

“In this country either for want of books or inability to read, the great part of our congregations must be utterly ignorant of the meaning and sense of the publick offices of the Church.” — Archbishop of Baltimore (1787)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 21, 2013

Jimmy Stewart … and Church Music Regulations?

“Whenever school children must be placed in the choir loft at High Mass, the Boys may sing but the Girls must keep silent, unless the whole congregation takes part in the singing.” — Diocese of Pittsburgh Regulations (1931)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 17, 2013

Six Girls In High School … Sensational New CD!

“Stella Splendens” features unaccompanied sacred vocal music sung by six ladies in high school.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 16, 2013

Beautiful Vestments Vs. Ugly Vestments

Has anyone else noticed this?

Jeff Ostrowski · October 15, 2013

Replacing the Entrance Chant With A Hymn Or Song?

This short video might annoy your friends … yet it just might get us thinking!

Jeff Ostrowski · October 14, 2013

Why Some Older Priests Hate Liturgy

“Impelled by the weightiest of reasons, we are fully determined to restore Latin to its position of honor.” — Blessed John XXIII (22 February 1962)

Jeff Ostrowski · October 13, 2013

True Liturgical Abuse … And Rex Harrison

On 17 April 1980, Blessed John Paul II approved and confirmed a document saying, “Females are not permitted to act as altar servers.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Proof Which All Can Immediately See!
    “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” as the famous maxim goes. Over the years, I’ve observed malicious attacks on the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal. Rather than scoring a ‘hit’ on the Brébeuf Hymnal, its attackers often reveal profound ignorance. I’ve been advised never to reply … but I break that rule today. Certain voices online assert that the Brébeuf Hymnal is “untraditional” because it includes both the Urbanite and pre-Urbanite versions of the hymns. But if only they would glance at a copy of the 1913 VESPERALE (printed by order of Pope Saint Pius X) they would see how mistaken such statements are.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “8 June 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for the parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article includes a few anecdotes about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and Abraham Lincoln.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Gloria in Spanish” • Free Accompaniment
    Several people have requested an organ accompaniment for the GLORY TO GOD which prints the Spanish words directly above the chords. The Spanish adaptation—Gloria a Dios en el cielo—as printed in Roman Misal, tercera edición was adapted from the “Glória in excélsis” from Mass XV (DOMINATOR DEUS). I used to feel that it’s a pretty boring chant … until I heard it sung well by a men’s Schola Cantorum, which changed my view dramatically. This morning, I created this harmonization and dedicated it to my colleague, Corrinne May. You may download it for free. Please let me know if you enjoy it!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    When to Sit, Stand and Kneel like it’s 1962
    There are lots of different guides to postures for Mass, but I couldn’t find one which matched our local Latin Mass, so I made this one: sit-stand-kneel-crop
    —Veronica Brandt
    The Funeral Rites of the Graduale Romanum
    Lately I have been paging through the 1974 Graduale Romanum (see p. 678 ff.) and have been fascinated by the funeral rites found therein, especially the simply-beautiful Psalmody that is appointed for all the different occasions before and after the funeral Mass: at the vigil/wake, at the house of the deceased, processing to the church, at the church, processing to the cemetery, and at the cemetery. Would that this “stational Psalmody” of the Novus Ordo funeral rites saw wider usage! If you or anyone you know have ever used it, please do let me know.
    —Daniel Tucker

Random Quote

“In my opinion, there should be reached the aim that all priests could continue to use the old Missal.”

— ‘Cardinal Ratzinger, Letter to Wolfgang Waldstein (14 December 1976)’

Recent Posts

  • Proof Which All Can Immediately See!
  • New Bulletin Article • “8 June 2025”
  • “The Adalbert Propers” • Six (6) Quotations
  • PDF Download • “Entrance Chant” for 29 June … Which Falls on a Sunday This Year!
  • “Music List” • 6th Sunday of Easter (Year C)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.