Views from the Choir Loft

Order of Christian Funerals

Jeff Ostrowski · March 6, 2026

“National Survey” (Order of Christian Funerals) • By the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship

“For this reason, I encourage everyone to take the survey.” —Jeff Ostrowski

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Jeff Ostrowski · December 21, 2025

PDF Download • “In Paradisum” in English

If anyone wants to download this organ accompaniment, feel free to do so!

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Jeff Ostrowski · July 3, 2024

PDF Download • “Funeral Music List” (17 Pages)

What we do undeniably involves a type of “performance.”

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Jeff Ostrowski · November 12, 2021

“For The Souls In Purgatory” • A Catholic Hymn

The month of November is dedicated to the souls in Purgatory.

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Richard J. Clark · March 22, 2019

Funerals: The Most Challenging Pastoral Responsibility

The centrality of Christ in the Funeral Mass is a priceless gem, a lifeline urgently needed in grief.

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Richard J. Clark · February 24, 2017

Four Real Reasons for Roman Catholic Funerals

The real purpose of a Roman Catholic funeral is not what most people think.

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Music List • “Ascension of the Lord”

Readers have expressed interest in examining my “music list” for this coming Sunday.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “For Pentecost Sunday”

There’s a triple ‘allelúja’ and I just love the chord at the end of the 2nd iteration.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • “Organ Accompaniment”

The following declaration will probably smack of “blowing my own horn.”

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Thee” + “Thou” + “Thine”

Regarding approval for the “Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition).”

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—Jeff Ostrowski

“Reminder” — Month of May (2026)

Since a new month has arrived, it’s my pleasure to remind you that…

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Simplified Version • “Canon in D” (Pachelbel)

I don’t care what people say; I love this piece!

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Many declare that Vatican Council II brought about a true springtime in the Church. Nevertheless, a growing number of Church leaders see this “springtime” as a rejection, a renunciation of her centuries-old heritage, or even as a radical questioning of her past and Tradition. Political Europe is rebuked for abandoning or denying its Christian roots; but the first to have abandoned her Christian roots and past is indisputably the post-conciliar Catholic Church.

— ‘Pope Francis’ Chief Liturgist (31 March 2017)’