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Corpus Christi Watershed

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

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 4, 2025

Involving Women in the Communion?

Not long ago, I received a weird telephone call from a man appointed “director of music” for a large USA diocese.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 3, 2025

“Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2025

Kids’ Choir Sings Thomas Aquinas

Last Sunday, a children’s choir I’m teaching sang with us for the first time.

Jeff Ostrowski · October 2, 2025

Prex • Particularly Powerful

“O God, who dost mend what is shattered, and what thou hast mended, ever dost preserve…”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 30, 2025

Good News From The Vatican

This concerns you!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2025

“Music List” • 26th in Ordinary Time (Year C)

Readers have expressed interest in examining the “music list” I prepared for this coming Sunday.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 27, 2025

“Reminder” — Month of September (2025)

It’s my pleasure to remind you that…

Jeff Ostrowski · September 26, 2025

PDF Download • Communion (26th Sn. Ord.)

This Communion antiphon sparkles with beauty.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 25, 2025

PDF Download • “Hymn by Father Thomas à Kempis” (arranged for 2 voices)

For the upcoming feast on 9 November (which replaces the Sunday Mass).

Jeff Ostrowski · September 24, 2025

“Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams

This is quite a clever arrangement of “Come down, O love divine.”

Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2025

Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?

Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952…

Jeff Ostrowski · September 22, 2025

Can You Identify This “Mystery” Hymn Tune?

Kevin Allen is currently in France.

Jeff Ostrowski · September 21, 2025

PDF Download • “Side-By-Side Comparison”

Re: the special hymn for the upcoming feast (9 November).

Jeff Ostrowski · September 20, 2025

PDF Download • Communion (25th Sn. Ord.)

This Communion antiphon glistens with resplendence!

Jeff Ostrowski · September 15, 2025

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”

Those responsible for preparing parish bulletins may wish to…

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “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
    “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

Quick Thoughts

    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

Random Quote

Is this the dumbest statement ever written? “When considering texts for his motets, Gombert obtained his inspiration from Scripture—such as the Psalms—as opposed to the liturgy of the Roman Catholic church.”

— Wikipedia

Recent Posts

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  • “Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

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