What's next?

In the short time that this website has been operational, it seems clear that we have developed a small but very loyal readership.  As Michael and I continue to pursue various publishing options for our music, we'd like to take a moment to thank you, our readers, for your ongoing support of our efforts.


With our last song posting (Let Us Build The House Of The Lord), we have now exhausted all of the original material recorded during the IHM concert last March.  The choir sang several other songs that night that I really wish we could upload here.  I particularly liked our rendition of John Foley's How Lovely Is Your Dwelling.  But unfortunately, there are legal issues associated with posting said recordings so you'll just have to take my word for it that the choir sounded awesome (and come to the next concert that we put on!)


As far as our original music goes though, Michael and I are continuing to write together, and we have numerous additional pieces, both old and new, that we intend to share via this website.  We are in the process of recording demos of some of these songs now, and the first fruits of those labors should be available for posting within the next week or so.  We are also looking into the possibility of a more professionally produced recording effort, and we will keep you posted on any developments on that front as well.  In the meantime, please keep us in your prayers, and please share this music and website with anyone you think might appreciate it.  God bless.

Let Us Build The House Of The Lord

The song we're uploading today was written for the dedication of Immaculate Heart of Mary's new church on January 24, 2009.  The years leading up to that date were filled with anticipation and sacrifice as the IHM parish went about the hard work of building a new house of God.  Sometimes, as perhaps might happen with any undertaking of such magnitude, anxiety and contention got the better of us, and we struggled not to lose sight of the real purpose behind all our efforts.  Looking back now, I see the journey we made as a parish as being very similar to the journey we each make as followers of Christ.  The way requires much sacrifice, and its easy to be sidetracked from our true purpose, whether that's building a church or simply going about our daily lives.  But of course, we have a hope, a recourse, against the obstacles in our path.


To borrow an image from Fr. Schillinger's homily this past Sunday, we, the living stones of the Church, must bind ourselves to the cornerstone that is Jesus Christ.  Then and there will we find the strength to persevere.  I was struck by this image on Sunday for not only do the living stones draw strength and integrity from the cornerstone, but in so doing, provide strength for the structure as a whole.  We make the Church stronger when we bind ourselves to the cornerstone.  This song is a prayer that God will give us the grace to be the living stones of His Church.  Fr. Schillinger has introduced this song at Mass as "our song."  I can think of no greater compliment.  Lyrics after the link.

the story behind the song: "Carry My Word to Everyone"

We wrote this song last summer for the baptism of my god-daughter, Mary Megan. At that time I dedicated it to the memory of her grandmother, Mary Ellen Michuda, who had died suddenly following heart surgery in July of 2009. While the refrain is clearly taken from the end of the Gospel of Matthew when the risen Christ gathers his disciples on the Mount of Olives before ascending into heaven, for the verses, I wanted to find words that the Lord might also have said to his beloved disciples and to us, the Church. But at the same time, because Mary Megan didn't get a chance to meet her grandmother in this life, I hoped that this song might also bear the echo of words that Mary Ellen might have to say to this precious child whom she will meet one day, "when the Father calls us home at last."

If you listen to this piece with this story in mind, I'm sure you'll see why it was so stirring for many of us that during our Lenten concert it was sung by Mary Megan's godmother, Nimalie Stone and by Tricia Audrain, friends of Colleen (Michuda) and Tom Green and their family.

Carry My Word To Everyone

First, a quick note about the site.  Sorry for the delay in getting a new post up, but what little time I have had to devote to the site over the past week has gone into doing a little housekeeping around here. You might notice a few formatting changes.  We've made some minor tweaks that will hopefully make the site a little easier to navigate for new visitors.


But with that behind us, today, we're uploading Carry My Word To Everyone.  This recording also comes from the IHM Lenten concert, but the lyrics' allusions to the mandate given to each us by our Lord at His ascension certainly make this an appropriate song for the Easter season.  Tricia Audrain and Nimalie Stone are the featured soloists this time out with Michael on piano, Bob Gillespie on guitar, and Patrick Belden on bass.  Lyrics after the jump as always.

the story behind the song: "My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts"

So, as you probably already know if you've been following along: when I'm not at IHM being a part of the music ministry, I am a hospice chaplain. Right away, you will notice that this song is largely based on the prophesies of Isaiah, Chapter 55. It was written last year after hearing the story of Betsy, the daughter-in-law of one of my former patients. When I met her and her family, Betsy was still reeling from the loss of both of her parents who were cared for by our sister office of Compassionate Care Hospice in Galveston, Texas. Her parents died within a week of one another, coincidentally just days after major parts of her hometown were torn asunder by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

During that time, while driving home late one night, northwest of Atlanta, a car flew past Betsy, almost sending her off into the ditch. In her panic and fear, she offered a spontaneous prayer, “Lord, help me,” and she told me that right then, she heard an audible voice say, “my daughter, I am with you always.” I was extremely moved to hear her story and if you know the Reed family, you know their strong faith and dedication to the Lord. So I spent some time praying over the scriptures and found this song.

I dedicate it to the memory of the parents of Cecil and Dorothy Reed. But I also would like for anyone who listens to remember those who struggle to comprehend loss and grief.

Toward the end of the song, you’ll hear a repeated refrain which I borrowed from the 15^th century English mystic and anchoress, Julian of Norwich. I consider these words to be the mantra of anyone who works with hospice patients or their families. And the verses, sung so adroitly by Aimee Scozzafave are thoughts inspired by passages from the Book of Revelations that speak of the journey's end.

My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts

Today, we're uploading another song from the IHM concert, My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts.  Aimee Scozzafave is the featured soloist, with the schola adding the full choral parts on the coda.  Since this song was inspired in large part by his hospice ministry, I'll let Michael explain the story behind it.  For now, I'll simply express our gratitude to Aimee for being willing to sing this piece at the concert.  She is a phenomenal singer, and it was truly a humbling experience to have her and so many other talented singers and musicians pray these songs with us that night.  Lyrics after the jump.