Ca C'est Bon!

by Tony Rosse
www.christophers.org

The Louisiana-roots band known as L’Angelus is made up of siblings Johnny, Stephen, Katie and Paige Rees. They want their music to bring families together because that’s exactly what it did for them. Paige Rees joined me recently on “Christopher Closeup” (full podcast here) to talk about the central role her family’s faith plays in their lives and music. Here’s an excerpt:

TR: Paige, L’Angelus is made up of you, your sister Katie, and your brothers Johnny and Stephen. By modern standards, that’s already a big family. But there are even more of you at home. How many kids are in your family?

Paige Rees: We are actually a group of ten kids altogether. Our Mom and Dad have been blessed with eight children. And two years ago, we were blessed with a foster brother and sister.

TR: Tell me about your parents taking in those foster children. How did it happen and why did they do it when they already had a significant number of mouths to feed and raise?

Paige Rees: My parents, about seven or eight years ago, became open to life as they grew deeper in their faith…Then we met this little family in New Orleans shortly after Katrina. Their mother was very young and she had four little ones herself. (She had) no family or support system and was suffering very much the effects of the storm. After meeting her and getting to know her over a few days, there was a lot of uncertainty but we just tried to trust in God and follow what He has shown us over and over in Scriptures and through the examples of the saints of how we are supposed to care for one another. So we’ve had this relationship with their mother for the past few years, and she just graduated from a medical assistant program. She actually came into the church this past Easter. The children were baptized and it was a really glorious day for everybody.

TR: Paige, your music career has become more successful through the years, and sometimes it would seem that the busier you would get, the more faith would be pushed to the side. But the exact opposite has happened with your family. Why do you think that is?

Paige Rees: We started out playing music when we were pretty young. Early on, our uncle who has had a career in the music business - he doesn’t necessarily practice any faith. But he did tell my Dad when we were still quite young, “If you’re going to be in this business, you better take those kids to church.” There are so many challenges to the faith that are presented in this business, in media in particular. So I think my Dad really took that advice to heart and we tried to stay really close to the sacraments and close to each other so that we would have that support system, that accountability. So I think it’s been a grace, not necessarily anything that we’ve done but our heavenly father protecting us and thankfully giving our father a lot of wisdom.

TR: Paige, I don’t know if you saw this in the newspaper late last year. There were some atheist bus ads in London that said, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Considering the fact that you’re Catholic and you perform this joy-filled music, does being a person of faith keep you from enjoying your life or does it make you enjoy it more?

Paige Rees: I think that because of our faith, because of knowing that we are children of a heavenly father who loves us – that gives our life meaning. I did see those bumper stickers (saying) “There’s no God so stop worrying and enjoy your life.” I think (the problem) is just the opposite. The problem is that people feel no purpose. There’s meaninglessness. You can’t enjoy anything if you don’t see a reason for it. You can only enjoy in the moment the pleasures that you’re experiencing. So I think the reality that there is a father in heaven who loves us, who wants to help us, and who wants us to be eternally happy with him in heaven – that is what gives everything meaning, it gives everything purpose, it gives suffering purpose, and it gives joy the ability to last instead of just being a pleasure that comes and goes.

TR: Another way you’re living out that faith is you’re working on an album of sacred songs with the family. Can you tell me about that?

Paige Rees: The CD’s that we’ve released so far have been more of the music that is Louisiana roots and stuff like that. So we’ve been thinking about doing a sacred album for a while now. You know, we play at Mass pretty often. We’ve come up with a collection of songs that we play a lot and we really love. So we’ve been thinking about doing an album for a while. Then through a meeting at a Catholic marketing network in New Jersey, Ignatius Press, they told us they were interested in carrying one if we ever did one…So we’ve got a lot of traditional songs on here that have been very inspiring to us.

(To listen to the full interview with Paige and here clips of L’Angelus songs, visit www.christophers.org/closeuppodcast. You can also check out a L'Angelus music video below:

Catholic Music Spotlight: Send Me by Billie Tarascio

By Lisa Hendey (originally posted on June 7th, 2009 on Catholicmom.com)

I’m pleased to share the following Catholic Music Spotlight with Billie Tarascio, highlighting the release of her new CD Send Me. Billie’s music is both inspirational and infectious - I know you’re going to love it!

Q: Congratulations Billie on the release of your wonderful new CD, Send Me. Please briefly introduce yourself and your family to our readers.

I am a 28 yr old catholic mom of an 8 year old step-daughter and two boys 4 and 2. My husband Tony and I have been married almost 7 years. I’m also an attorney and own a legal firm that offers limited legal representation at affordable rates.

Q: How did you get started in music and specifically life as a Catholic recording artist?

I have always been a singer, and have briefly explored everything from Broadway to opera to country music. In 2001, I stumbled upon Lifeteen and was asked to join the band. It literally changed my whole life. My Catholic faith came alive largely through worship music. It wasn’t until I found music ministry that it finally clicked what I was suppose to be doing with my voice. Then, while my husband was deployed to Iraq I began writing music. He came home and we both felt called to meet God halfway so to speak. He had given us all these gifts, the largest of which was an intact family, so we decided to take a huge leap of faith and make a CD. Since the release, things have been a bit crazy, we are getting radio play all over the country and even in Spain. We have had lots of local requests for our band to come play at schools or retreats. Its been fun.

Q: As a mom, I have to ask how you balance the many demands upon your time as wife, mother, attorney and musician? What do your kids and colleagues think about you being a Catholic rocker?

It’s pretty funny. I do feel compartmentalized in my three roles, at least when it comes to wardrobe. I only work part-time as an attorney while my son is in pre-school. Luckily the practice I have created is conducive to a part-time schedule. Other than that, I have a very supportive husband and very musical children. They all pick up their instruments and practice right along with us! It isn’t easy, but we have only been given one life and many responsibilities to do God’s will. My kids think it is awesome that mommy has concerts. They watch the tape over and over and even pretend to be different members of the band. My attorney colleagues probably think I’m nuts, but other moms are typically very supportive.

Q: Please tell us about your experience composing the songs for this CD and share the stories behind a few of your favorites.

During Tony’s deployment I felt like I was drowning. Isaiah was born about six months before Tony came home. Sebastian was a very difficult toddler who missed his dad immensely. The only thing I did outside of take care of them, was Lifeteen music and it was literally my lifeline. My relationship with God grew exponentially during that time. I never knew I could write music and then one day a song popped out and I couldn’t stop. I remember specifically being on a long walk with my two little boys in their double stroller trying the pray the rosary when I wrote the Hail Mary. When I hear it I can hear the steps I was taking in rhythm while writing it. Those hard months were the first time in my life I needed God enough to really feel him, and the songs on the album are my prayers of thanks, laments, and songs for my church.

Q: Could you please introduce us to the other members of your band and tell us a bit about the actual making of the CD?

The CD was produced by David Smith of Icon Music Studio. He did all the instrumentation on the CD and I think he did a superb job. My band is made up of my husband Tony on guitar, and many other fellow life-teeners from my church. Caitlin Lindahl is a core member, in our Lifeteen band and my bass player. She actually learned the bass in record time for our band. James Duchateau is our drummer and one of my boys heroes. Josh Laguana is our fantastic piano player. He live in Portland about two hours away and comes down every weekend for rehearsals, and our newest addition plays electric guitar and teaches junior high math. Russ Hunt has an amazing story. He suffered a terrible accident years ago that left his left hand disabled. He has managed to create a completely new way of playing guitar and is nothing short of fantastic. The best part about my band is that we pray together for our ministry, ourselves and our families. We are a very close group.

Q: Who are some of your favorite musicians, both Catholic and secular, and who would we find on your iPod?

I like a really wide variety of music including everything from Taylor Swift to Daughtry, the Fray, Jackie Franscios, Matt Maher, Sean Clive, Ceili Rain and more. I think U2 is fabulous and really like casting crowns and Natalie Grant. Currently, I’ve been listening to cold play on my ipod.

Q: How does your Catholic faith inspire and impact upon the music you are creating?

My faith is the center of all the music I create. Only in that context does it feel right to parade around on stage inviting applause. We were created to worship the Lord and our band loves to lead worship. I also hope that my music will help people, especially youth, to come closer to Christ. Music certainly had that effect for me, and I’m trying to pay it forward.
Q: With the release of the CD, what’s next for you and the band?

That really remains to be seen. We do lots of local youth ministry events and are hoping to do more both statewide and beyond. We would love to have some of the music published in Spirit and Song or by GIA, and have also talked about other christian publishers. Many of the songs were written to serve the liturgy and we would love to see the songs being used to complement our holy mass.

Q: How can people learn more about your music and upcoming appearances?

We have a band website and a myspace page we try to keep updated. The band site is www.billietarascio.com and our myspace page is www.myspace.com/billietarascioband.

Lisa Hendey, wife and mom of two teenage sons, is the founder and webmaster of Catholicmom.com.

Award-winning Catholic rapper Bob "Righteous B"Lesnefsky shares his missionto bring Christ to inner-city youth.

by Tony Rossi

Bob Lesnefsky, a graduate of Franciscan University, found musical success as the award winning Christian rapper Righteous B whose albums include “Get the Kids to Revolt,” “Sweatshop Sessions,” and “How a Wound Bleeds.” But Bob’s true passion – what he considers his vocation – is a program he co-founded called Dirty Vagabond Ministries which currently operates in Steubenville, OH, Queens, NY, and Rochester, NY. I recently had the opportunity to interview Bob on “Christopher Closeup” (full podcast here). Here are some excerpts:

TR: I want to focus on Dirty Vagabond Ministries because I was on your website and I saw a description where somebody said, “If you want to know how these guys operate, think of Mother Teresa with earrings and tattoos.” So tell me about Dirty Vagabond Ministries.

Bob 'Righteous B' Lesnefsky: In the most simple description, it’s youth ministry to the inner-city church… We come into a city and make a long-term commitment to that city. We place two urban missionaries there that live among the people. The style of ministry they do we call incarnational ministry; they’re not waiting for people to sign up or show up. They’re going out to them, hitting the streets, and really everything happens in the context of that relationship.

TR: Did you grow up in the inner-city yourself? How did your vocation for this develop?

Bob 'Righteous B' Lesnefsky: I really have no idea to be honest (laughs). God kind of sucker-punched me. I definitely didn’t grow up in the inner-city. I grew up in about as suburban, white, upper-middle-class culture as it gets. Just outside of Philadelphia (is where) I grew up. But when me and my wife started doing youth ministry, we ended up at a little inner-city parish in New York. I didn’t realize how urban it was. About a year into it, we found ourselves in just a whole mess of problems with police there all the time, violence. We were about to quit and leave but something happened where our hearts were changed and we really fell in love with that kind of kid and we felt this is what we wanted to do with our lives.

TR: Give me an example of how relational ministry works with the kids.

Bob 'Righteous B' Lesnefsky: We go up to the projects or a basketball court or we show up at a park with a grill and start grilling hot dogs and feeding people. The first time we maybe just see them, get to know their name. Over weeks or years, it eventually builds relationships and develops into a friendship. It’s much more effective for me to share Christ with someone who considers me their friend than someone who I knock on their door and try to give them a five minute plug. These are people we have an authentic relationship with. There’s an element of trust that happens before we even tell them about God. They begin to see we care for them outside of whether or not they ever come to the church.

TR: Bob, on the Dirty Vagabond web site , it says, “We believe the greatest intimacy with Christ is found in the sacramental life of the Church.” A lot of these kids don’t have a foundation of faith, so how do you and your volunteers convey the relevance of the sacramental life of the Church to teens who may not have ever been exposed to anything like that?

Bob 'Righteous B' Lesnefsky: It’s difficult. We have a little storefront building; it’s called “Urban Underground.” Kids come in there, there’s a pool table, it’s kind of a fun, cool place. A lot of those kids when they come in, I’ll hear them say, “Yesterday at church…” and they’re talking about coming into our building and hanging out. In some sense, we’re like, “Uh, we’re not church.” We’re trying to bring them to the Church and Christ and the sacraments. But on the other hand, there is something true about what they’re saying. They are experiencing the sacraments in a living way in someone who’s really trying to live that out and be Christ for them...But as far as how we make that tangible, we’ve got an old school bus we drive around every day. We pick kids up. On Sunday, we fill it up and go to Mass. Afterwards we have a big family style meal. So some of it is just exposing them to (the church) which is a little jarring when you’ve never come to church. But there’s a beauty in it too that they’re attracted to.

TR: Do you think the fact that they’re lacking in a lot of worldly things opens them up to more spiritual nourishment?
Bob 'Righteous B' Lesnefsky: Yeah, I think so. I think half of the difficulty in ministry situations is first convincing people of their need. We’re one of the richest countries in the world. We have lots and lots of stuff and things to distract us. When you remove those distractions, you don’t have to spend as much time convincing them that we’re a people who are desperate for God. They’re well aware that they’re desperate. But for them, it’s trying to grab onto anything that can give them satisfaction or fulfillment for the moment. When you can point that in a genuine way (to Christ as) the person that’s going to fill that (need), it’s kind of a beautiful awakening.

TR: Bob, in everything I read about your work with Dirty Vagabond Ministries, you cite your wife Kate as helping to create everything. So tell me how did you find this incredible woman who’s so in tune with your life and your faith?

Bob 'Righteous B' Lesnefsky: It’s all God’s grace. When I met her, we were just good friends. She told me she was going to be a nun. She had already visited some convents. Somehow, we fell in love. My friends always tease me that when I die, I’m going to hell for stealing her from the convent (laugh). But she’s far more holy than I am. The thing I appreciate the most about her is that – in her holiness and in her relationship with Christ, she’s just willing to step into the adventure. She definitely has a missionary heart. She has a very simple heart and a very pure heart for God. So the rest of the stuff of the world and the things that a lot of times we feel like we need, she’s just okay without them. She’s also willing to take the risk of following God’s call wherever that’s been…She’s definitely my better half.

For more information on Dirty Vagabond Ministries, go to www.DirtyVagabond.com . To download the full interview, go to www.christophers.org/closeuppodcast.

Join The Christophers group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=55547700670.

Matthew Baute: Living the vocation of a music minister

by Susan Bailey

As a long-time musician, and as the wife of a soon-to-be-ordained deacon, I recently came to the conclusion that music ministry as a vocation has many parallels to a vocation to the religious life. As the Spirit is wont to do, I found myself talking about this out of the blue one day when a fellow musician who was just getting started in ministry called me up for some tips. In speaking through me, the Spirit planted the desire to explore the idea of music ministry as a vocation equal in part to a religious vocation; thus He led me to Matthew Baute, a full time music missionary who clearly sees this ministry as his vocation.

“I can certainly see parallels between a vocation to music ministry and a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated religious life,” he says. “Just last week I was singing at a Mass at which three priests were concelebrating, and a deacon was also serving. There I was, a non-ordained lay person, offering my gift of music alongside these ordained ministers who have undergone years of study and preparation. If I have the honor of being placed in such a position, then I need to prepare well and develop my gifts. I need to develop a deep prayer life and love for Scripture that nurtures a living relationship with Jesus, something critical to the effectiveness of any ministry–priesthood or music ministry. I need to learn about and appreciate our musical heritage and the impact of those who have gone before me. At the same time, I also need to allow room for the Holy Spirit to move in my heart and to inspire me in new ways, leading me on the journey.”

As many who have experienced a vocational calling will tell you, the road to that calling is often winding and long. Matthew’s story is no different. Although he recognized his talent in and love of music as a child, and a deeper love for his faith as a young adult, Matthew had to test many paths before he received confirmation that music ministry was indeed his call. The road began with many musical endeavors and wove through a marriage that ended in annulment. Time was spent in a monastery after the pain of that event, discerning a call, but the call wasn’t there. He worked for several years in the corporate world as a software engineer but felt isolated from his faith. He then tested the waters of music therapy, but didn’t feel called to be a clinician.

However, as Matthew devoted more time to composition and singing for prayer services, the vocation of music ministry became clearer to him. This revelation culminated in his first CD, Love Wins All. Several songs from the CD received airplay on EWTN’s Global Catholic Radio Network, and Matthew took that as confirmation that he was headed in the right direction at last.

Now, three years later, Matthew is involved in full time music ministry, traveling throughout the United States and the world, sharing his prayerful music in parishes, festivals and missions. He was signed on as a World Library Publications (WLP) artist and subsequently released his second CD, Hold Me Lord. Matthew also hired Alyson Bleistine of ALBIE Entertainment to teach him how to manage the practical and business elements of his ministry. He also teams up regularly with fellow recording artist and mentor Annie Karto. As Matthew’s ministry continued to grow and bear fruit, so did his support system. He understood clearly from the beginning that following his vocation required that he not work in isolation but reach out for help.

The year 2009 saw the release of River of Grace, perhaps the project closest to Matthew’s heart. “I’m very happy with River of Grace,” he says, “and I certainly feel that it’s my best project yet, in both the songwriting and the production. WLP connected me with a fantastic producer, Warren Kahn, who has worked with [Catholic recording artist] Michael John Poirier for many years. Warren brought the desire to create something meaningful and beautiful right from the start.”

Vocations call for hard work and discipline, and the recording of an album is no exception. After going over the compositions with his producer and the editing team from WLP, Matthew spent a few weeks in the studio recording vocals and guitar parts, and then reviewed tracks sent to him by Warren via the internet.

“Warren hired the other players–violinist, cellist, percussionist, bassist, and oboist–to add their parts afterwards. I wasn’t there for the tracking of these instruments, but I would get a rough mix via the Internet either that evening or the next day to hear what he was capturing. The convenience of technology these days certainly has changed the way music is produced.”

River of Grace has already been well received and has spawned a couple of music videos which Matthew produced himself. One such video, “One,” has been viewed nearly 4,000 times on Youtube. The song has become popular with Marriage Preparation (Pre-Cana), yet that was not the original purpose of the song.

Matthew explains: “The song ‘One’ was originally written about the personal relationship I have with God: “your love, my love / your heart, my heart / may they be / may they always be / as one.” But sometimes God reveals different meanings to people in completely different ways. Someone heard the song and described how it was a great song to include in wedding ceremonies. Another pointed out that it really represented the whole marriage journey, celebrating the perseverance of a committed relationship over time. This is one of the blessings of composing—after a song is finished and gets out there, it may take on a life of its own, based on how listeners are hearing it. We took this feedback and put together a video that depicts couples through their journeys of life together—with both the joys and the struggles. (Note: Video available at http://www.songsforprayer.com/video.asp). So although this song is for me a prayer of intimacy with God, it’s something else for other people.”

The work involved with producing recorded music and videos certainly doesn’t end with the producing. Matthew now had the task of getting out on the road and sharing this new music with listeners. God blessed this effort and Matthew’s calendar has been full with engagements.

The most meaningful venue for Matthew is singing in front of the Blessed Sacrament. He is passionate about showing his love for the Eucharist and the impact he feels when playing before the monstrance.

“Jesus is the focus here,” he says. “Not me. Not my music. Not my ministry. In my musical prayer services when the priest places Jesus in the monstrance on the altar, I simply go off to the side and sing, hoping the music helps open hearts, helps those in attendance be more receptive to the work of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus himself is present, what do I need to say other than a few words of encouragement to give him permission to come into our hearts and do what he will?”

Such blessings as these keep Matthew strong in his vocation. He describes his life as a full time music minister in these words: “I’ve been making my way as a full-time ‘music missionary’ (a term I borrowed from Danielle Rose) for nearly three years. I remember calling my friend John Grassadonia when I was discerning this path. He told me that based on his own experience, God does indeed bless our “yes” when we step out in faith, but at the same time it’s never going to be an easy road. I’ve found that to be true. The deep joy that I feel in using my gifts to help nourish other people’s faith lives is immense! What a privilege that is. But there are certainly struggles as well, times when I’m not as busy, times when I also need to be faithful to the business side, promoting my music and ministry to get the word out. That’s certainly not as much fun as singing, but it’s important to keep things going.”

He continues, “I know that I couldn’t put forth the same will and effort if I had a full-time job at the same time. So, I have to learn to live with less—a more humble lifestyle. But this enables me to devote more time to prayer, to daily Mass and Scripture study. This way of living also allows me to pick up and go on the road for ministry whenever I’m asked. Being able to be flexible for the sake of others is important to me.”

Remaining connected to a community is something that Matthew knows is vital as he perseveres in his vocation. “Although I end up traveling a good bit, I’ve come to understand that staying connected to my parish is vital to keeping balanced. I really enjoy the fellowship of my church community when I’m home. My parish is home base; it’s my faith family. Seeing God at work in the lives of my fellow parishioners renews me, and inspires me to go back out to serve God’s larger family.”

Prayer, study, service, fellowship, an austere lifestyle, the sharing of his talents in a spirit of love of God and His family – this is how Matthew Baute is living out his vocation as a music minister.

You can learn more about Matthew Baute, listen and purchase his music, and watch his videos at his website, www.songsforprayer.com.

Singers for the New Evangelization - More Catholic Artists Deserving of Extra Exposure

from the National Catholic Register

http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/17518

by Amy Smith

March 15-21, 2009 Issue

Matt Maher has had quite the year since releasing his latest CD “Empty & Beautiful” (Essential Records), last April. He performed at World Youth Day in Australia and the youth rally during Pope Benedict’s visit to the United States.

His CD was launched into space on NASA’s Discovery mission last May. A song from the CD, “Your Grace Is Enough,” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult Christian Contemporary Chart. Recently, he was nominated as “Best New Artist” for CCM Magazine’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Amid the whirlwind success and travel — last year, he was on the road 300 days — the United Catholic Music and Video Association Unity Awards winner is ready for a new CD and remains committed to what his music is about: glorifying God.

His inspiration: “Prayer and Mass. That’s where it all comes from. Artists and musicians need to embrace the sacramental life of the Church. Music reflects what’s going on in your heart.”

Maher’s advice for aspiring musicians reflects this viewpoint: “Go fall in love with Jesus. Pursue him radically. What will happen is that eventually songs will start coming out. Art will come out as you live the faith. The Eucharist is a mystery that’s discovered, not proclaimed on stage.”

His stepfather, who is not Catholic, helped him reflect on his musical purpose recently.

“He challenged me to write from faith, not about faith,” Maher said. “I want my devotion to come out in my lyrics, not the other way around. Otherwise, it’s like an assignment.”

“Write about life, and the faith will come out of that,” he added. “In that context, it’s more authentic. Otherwise, it’s almost a business proposition based on theology rather than art reflecting 2,000 years of Tradition.”

Maher is one of a burgeoning number of contemporary Catholic singer/songwriters who write from the gut as well as the Gospel. That list includes Janelle, Curtis Stephan, Sarah Bauer and Marie Miller.

Taking Off

“I think Catholic music is in a state of transition, in a state of finding an identity,” Maher says. “A good thing is that Catholic music is coming into a full expression of itself musically.”

Adds Stephanie Wood, coordinator of NextWave Faithful, an online outreach to young Catholic adults, and host of “NextWave Live” on EWTN radio, “There are quite a few exciting things going on with Catholic music. Ten years ago, people thought Catholic music was church music. In the past five or six years, it has taken off. Catholic musicians are making names for themselves.”

Wood’s radio show features a variety of Catholic musicians.

“Instead of public service announcements, we take music breaks,” she says. “We feature heavier-sounding bands with rock beats. It’s a popular feature. The kids love it. Ours is the only show on EWTN trying to get young people into music. It’s the main mechanism to get their name out there, since there are no Catholic music stations.”

“When I started doing this show about five years ago, there was hardly anyone to play,” she adds. “Now there’s stuff that could go up against [mainstream Christian contemporary artists] Jars of Clay or Third Day. There are high-quality artists. Lyrically, we have the fullness of the faith that can be expressed in music.” Wood recently featured The Thirsting. “They’re a great band,” she says.

NextWaveFaithful.com features a positive music chart with Catholic and non-Catholic artists. The music Next Wave features is available at CatholicMusicNetwork.com. Another online source of Catholic music is SpiritandSong.com.

“We have a great commitment of artists to their sound,” says Robert Feduccia, SpiritandSong.com general manager and artist relations and product development associate director. Spirit and Song is a division of Oregon Catholic Press.

“What young people want is real, believable sound from a real, authentic place in the spirit, singer-songwriters sitting down with their guitars creating interesting art with real attention to artistry,” he says. “Lyrically, I’m hearing a lot more depth. People are coming to grips with the quest of being human, having a relationship with the Lord, and our artists express that.”

Up north in Canada, Catholic music is also making a name for itself.

“Janelle has broken a lot of mainstream avenues to bring knowledge of Catholic music, that we can produce good music,” notes Jason Reinhart of Life-Vision Communications Inc., who is the manager for and husband of Canadian Catholic artist Janelle. The artist recently reached No. 1 with More Radio magazine’s Adult Contemporary radio chart. She has written an autism theme song and is working on a praise and worship CD.

Even with the progress, Reinhart says, distributing the music to the masses remains a problem.

“Distribution channels are not as strong as they could be,” he says. “There aren’t as many Catholic bookstores. It needs to be easier for people to learn about it.”

Coming From Faith

As for music contributing to the New Evangelization, Maher notes, “What needs to come first is the desire for evangelization. The New Evangelization comes first; the music comes second, as a response.”

The New Evangelization is at the heart of Spirit and Song. “Our artists have a heart for evangelization, for bringing the good news, coupled with worship, which comes from a deep place in the liturgy and outside of the liturgy,” says Feduccia. “We’re intentional. We know that music outside of the liturgy feeds it inside the liturgy.”

New media is a driving influence, Feduccia notes.

“With Jackie Francois, we gave a five-hour window for song downloads,” he says. “It was ‘five for five free.’ The response was great. It helped her record to get out there. Our ‘The Commons’ interviews debut songs. With the song player, we have 30-second artist introduction followed by the song. We have song-by-song features with Sarah Hart and Jackie Francois. We want to be cutting-edge, to use current methods. We have podcasts with Steve Angrisano and Jackie Francois, who is the host for ‘Perfect Playlist.’

“Listeners can submit titles, and if theirs is selected, they win a free CD. Ken Canedo does a liturgy-planning podcast. He takes the readings, does reflections, and gives music selections.”

Feduccia hopes to test iPhone and BlackBerry concepts this summer.

Internet and new technology help, Reinhart agrees: “If something is good, people find it.”

Regardless of the avenues used, society needs to hear the message of faith: “We are living in a post-Christian culture,” Maher says. “We have to find ways to reach out with messages that they understand.”

What’s Next?

Wood hopes that the genre will stay true to its roots.

“Now, a lot of Christian labels are making it more of an industry, not a ministry. I hope that doesn’t change with Catholic music. Catholic music is ministry oriented.”

Adds Maher, “One of the things I love about Catholic music, which fundamentally sets Catholic music aside: It’s never been the modus operandi to create a subculture within a culture. The goal of a Christian is to be in the middle of the world, not in the world. We need to be in the culture, in dialogue with it with philosophy, truth, beauty and art, especially art; art has the ability to reach people no matter their religious background.”

“I think as Catholics we will always be rooted in the liturgy, with sacraments and the Incarnation,” Spirit and Song’s Feduccia says. “The industry has matured. In the past 10 years, we’ve started to see more diversity in sound. Catholic Christian music has something unique to offer. Josh Blakesley is from Louisiana. His music isn’t country or blues, but Southern. It’s who he is infused with sacramental, liturgical and incarnational theology. I think we’ll continue on that trajectory.

“Artistically, I don’t know where things are headed,” he adds. “Radio is such a peculiar, elusive thing. But in the part of the industry that’s not as public — the songwriters — we see Catholics having great influence. We have songwriting partnerships with EMI. The top song at World Youth Day, ‘Take Up Our Cross,’ was written by Curtis Stephan, Sarah Hart and Mark Byrd of EMI [who wrote the Christian radio hit ‘God of Wonders’]. Sarah Hart has just written for 33 Mile, a mainstream Christian group.”

“There’s hope and a great future for Catholic music,” adds Reinhart. “What we need is great Catholic music with a great message to contribute to the New Evangelization. If songs are great, the records are great. That will take the Catholic market to the next level. It doesn’t fit the mainstream record mold or the Protestant mold. There’s a purity to Catholic music. We are seeing more record deals happening. Catholics are more accepted in Protestant circles.”

And Catholic youth are an important key.

“Young ministry has been teaching youth about the life of Christ, the history of the Church, and, eventually, that will start to come out artistically,” Maher predicts. “Great things have happened in the Church through music. The great composers wrote for the Church and gained respect in society. I think that could happen again.”

Amy Smith is the Register’s copy editor.



FOR MORE INFORMATION
SpiritandSong.com
MattMaherMusic.com
Janelle.ca
NextWaveFaithful.com
CatholicMusicNetwork.com

Franciscan Friends Music Mission - Part Three of a Four Part Series

My name is Wendy Grady and together my husband Denis Grady and I organize a yearly Music Mission. Are you a musician who enjoys sharing the gift of music with those less fortunate?? Perhaps your gift is not using an instrument but you are someone with a gift of compassion and a great love for Jesus. We are looking for people who believe in working together in community to serve for the betterment of those less fortunate such as the palliative, the addicted, those imprisoned, and the poor living in the West Indies and Grenadine Islands. If you feel called to serve in a new and exciting way please join us as part of the Franciscan and Friends Mission Tour. I have included an excerpt from my diary of 2008 to give you an idea of what you can expect. I can promise you one thing. You will grow in your love for Jesus. Please check out our website at www.franciscanandfriends.com or call Denis and Wendy Grady at 403-243-1049

Next stop was the “Nursing Home” where we found one of saddest places I have ever been. It was home for the elderly, palliative, deformed and any other type of disease or mental illness. June our wonderful host and driver informed us before we entered that we were there to help celebrate five women’s birthdays. June thought of everything! She brought all kinds of tiny sandwiches and treats along with ice cold drinks followed by “birthday cake” and presents. Those in our group who were not musically inclined helped to seat those who were able to come, in a brightly decorated room. We assisted June in preparing tiny plates of delectable delights and handing out cold refreshments. The musicians on our team entertained the group with lots of cheerful upbeat tunes. They loved it! Some even stood and moved gently, fully enjoying every note. Smiles were everywhere even though some of them were not able to communicate verbally it was evident they were having fun. I couldn’t help but notice that many of them were very concerned with caring for one another. Then June turned and handed me a tray full of the same treats and asked me to take them upstairs to those who were unable to walk down to where we were celebrating. She pointed outside but I couldn’t see any stairs. Suddenly a young man appeared and pointed the way. Up I went coming to a complete standstill when I heard the sound of women screaming. I took a deep breath before saying a quiet prayer. I asked Jesus to give me strength and courage to face whatever lay ahead of me. Later I found out the screams came from women being hosed down in the showers. When I walked through that doorway it was like entering another world. The first woman I saw was sitting on the end of her bed, both legs amputated at different places. Her blouse was nearly off exposing her flat dark breasts completely. She had eyes full of tears. I tried very hard not to cry and did not. I just asked Jesus to guide me to say and do what he would do in my place. I reached over and touched her leg then hugged her and helped her cover up. I gave her a plate of the tiny cakes June had prepared. Suddenly they were all wanting some as they reached out for me. They were all on beds less than a few feet between them. There was a woman screaming and moaning in pain as she lay on her bed. She was large in both stature and shape. Her eyes were closed with what looked like some sort of infection. I went to her and touched her face asking if I could help her. She answered only by moaning. I brought a tiny piece of cake to her lips and asked if she was hungry. At first there was no reaction as I waved it under her nose. Then slowly she bit into it as she took it from me. She quieted down as I gave her more and a sip of lemonade to wash it down with.

Part 2 Franciscan Friends Music Mission Diary

My name is Wendy Grady and together my husband Denis Grady and I organize a yearly Music Mission. Are you a musician who enjoys sharing the gift of music with those less fortunate?? Perhaps your gift is not using an instrument but you are someone with a gift of compassion and a great love for Jesus. We are looking for people who believe in working together in community to serve for the betterment of those less fortunate such as the palliative, the addicted, those imprisoned, and the poor living in the West Indies and Grenadine Islands. If you feel called to serve in a new and exciting way please join us as part of the Franciscan and Friends Mission Tour. I have included an excerpt from my diary of 2008 to give you an idea of what you can expect. I can promise you one thing. You will grow in your love for Jesus. Please check out our website at www.franciscanandfriends.com or call Denis and Wendy Grady at 403-243-1049


ST VINCENT
Part Two
First stop was the Mental Institution. I was there last year so was somewhat familiar with the place but many of our group were not and found it quite shocking. Some of the men were waiting for us, welcoming us all as we entered the dark stone entrance which led to a small open aired stone courtyard bare of anything except patients and benches. I could sense how hard this was for some of our group so I prayed silently and decided to lead the way hoping to make them more comfortable. Over to the right of the courtyard there was a small window with bars. A man looking to be in his late 60’s had both hands on the bars and his head was down. I felt drawn to this man who seemed in such pain. It looked like he was in prison. I reached through and touched his hands, asking him “what was wrong”? He said his head hurt bad. I asked him if he would like prayer and he said yes. I held his head between both my hands and prayed for healing out loud. He said it helped but now he was hungry. He looked terribly sad. I caught Paula’s eye over to my left as she wiped away tears. It was heart wrenching because it looked more like a prison. I coaxed the man out slowly to come join us in the fun. Our group looked like “court jesters” performing for royalty. The Lord was happy and joyous as he came alive in that courtyard. I went around and hugged each one of the men and women, introducing myself and asked their names. They were so sweet and gentle. As I left one of the men gave me a gift he had made. A small piece of wood about 4 x 5 inches, painted like a “target”. I asked if I could take his photo so as to remember who gave it to me. He was more than happy to oblige but some of the other men overheard and wanted their photo taken as well, so a group shot it was and they were all smiles as they posed for me. Nearby I noticed the most amazing tree I have ever seen. It was all large and gnarly at the bottom with a tiny pool of water hiding within the knotted limbs. For some reason it reminded me of elephants feet, not sure why other than the color was similar.