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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

Mark Haas • Article Archive

Mark Haas is a composer and speaker whose liturgical music has been sung in over 600 parishes and 10 countries. He lives in Florida with his wife and seven children.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Mark Haas · January 7, 2026

A Simple Way to Utilize Handbells

The method itself is wonderfully simple.

Mark Haas · December 26, 2025

Bing Crosby, Christmas, and Catholicism

He served as an unwitting catechist, introducing a young listener to the language and music of Catholicism.

Mark Haas · December 13, 2025

The “Word of the Father” Chord: Theology and Harmony Meet at Christmas

It is fitting that the most exquisite chord in Adeste Fideles coincides with the most profound line of theology.

Mark Haas · December 3, 2025

PDF Downloads • 5 Simple Palestrina Pieces

A collection of Palestrina works that are not only stunningly beautiful but also surprisingly accessible.

Mark Haas · November 20, 2025

Kid’s Repertoire • 3 Recommendations (Mark Haas)

“My children’s choir absolutely loves this piece.”

Mark Haas · November 10, 2025

What surprised me about regularly singing the Gloria in Latin

“A chorus of groans erupted: ‘Mr. Haaaaaasssss, whyyyy?'”

Mark Haas · November 4, 2025

When Pilgrims Sing, the World Disappears

“Their culture blended into the harmony of the Church. They were no longer citizens. They were Catholic.”

Mark Haas · October 28, 2025

A Practical Method of Projecting Solfege for Chant

“The choristers are not only learning the Propers more quickly but are also internalizing the sound of solfege in relation to Gregorian modes.”

Mark Haas · October 20, 2025

A Simple Way to Sing and Notate Organum Harmony

“Organum is a humble addition to Gregorian chant, yet it opens a profound sonic world.”

Mark Haas · October 10, 2025

Every Diocesan Music Commission Should Do This

“To assist this process, I have compiled links to the documents…” —Mark Haas

Mark Haas · October 1, 2025

My choir is devoid of this generation (And it’s a healthy sign)

“This unique vitality is nowhere more visible than in the choir loft.”

Mark Haas · September 22, 2025

The Old Gaffer: Parish Choir Director of Middle Earth

“Tending the garden of the liturgy so that, in God’s time, fruit may grow that is destined for eternity.”

Mark Haas · September 11, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy

“Charlie Kirk has repeatedly spoken about the power of traditional liturgy.”

Mark Haas · September 5, 2025

Is ‘Chant’ a Generic Word for ‘Sing’ ? • No!

To call any form of liturgical singing “chant” is to obscure the meaning the Church has always attributed to Gregorian chant.

Mark Haas · August 26, 2025

“Cracker Barrel & Catholicism” • Logos and Lessons

“A restaurant’s niche—just like a Church’s patrimony—draws people in not by blending with the generic, but by standing apart.”

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Spectacular Communion Setting!
    The FAUXBOURDON setting of the Communion for the Baptism of the Lord (which will occur this coming Sunday) strikes me as quite spectacular. The verses—composed by the fifth century Christian poet, Coelius Sedulius—come from a long alphabetical acrostic and are deservedly famous. The feast of the LORD’S BAPTISM was traditionally the octave day of Epiphany, but in the 1962 kalendar it was made ‘more explicit’ or emphasized. The 1970 MISSALE ROMANUM elevated this feast even further.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF • “Music List” (Sunday, 11 January)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (SUNDAY, 11 January 2025). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. The FAUXBOURDON verses for the Communion Antiphon—to say nothing of the antiphon itself—are breathtaking. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are available at the monumental feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Epiphany Hymn • “New 2-Voice Arrangement”
    The Von Trapp Family Singers loved a melody that was featured heavily (perhaps even “too heavily”) in the Brébeuf Hymnal. It goes by many names, including ALTONA, VOM HIMMEL HOCH, and ERFURT. If you only have one man and one woman singing, you will want to download this arrangement for two voices. It really is a marvelous tune—and it’s especially fitting during the season of Christmas and Epiphany.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Reminder” — Month of January (2026)
    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
    PDF • “O Come All Ye Faithful” (Simplified)
    I admire the harmonization of “Adeste Fideles” by David Willcocks (d. 2015), who served as director of the Royal College of Music (London, England). In 2025, I was challenged to create a simplified arrangement for organists incapable of playing the authentic version at tempo. The result was this simplified keyboard arrangement (PDF download) based on the David Willcocks version of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Feel free to play through it and let me know what you think.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English
    We always sing the IN PARADISUM in Latin, as printed on this PDF score. I have an appallingly bad memory (meaning I’d be a horrible witness in court). In any event, it’s been brought to my attention that 15 years ago I created this organ accompaniment for the famous and beautiful ‘IN PARADISUM’ Gregorian chant sung in English according to ‘MR3’ (Roman Missal, Third Edition). If anyone desires such a thing, feel free to download and print. Looking back, I wish I’d brought the TENOR and BASS voices into a unison (on B-Natural) for the word “welcome” on the second line.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

On 12 March 1908, Feast of St. Gregory the Great, the complete publication of the “Graduale” was issued by the Vatican Press. That very day, Dom Pothier solemnly presented the first copy to the Holy Father. Pius X wished to be the first to see the new book; he opened it at random, at page 128 of the supplement “pro aliquibus locis”—the Introit of the new Feast of Our lady of Lourdes. The Pope sang it with perfect taste to the last note.

— A witness of the papal audience writing circa 1915

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