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Nick Alexander here...

Have you discovered Grapevine Magazine? In my mind, it is the absolute best resource to discovering the latest from Catholic Contemporary musicians, liturgical and entertainment-oriented. Run by Susan Bailey, there are musician profiles, latest events, and music reviews. The resulting magazine is quite attractive in print, and the articles draw attention to this otherwise "blind-spot" in Christian music.

Not to be outdone with print, Susan Bailey has been promoting the Grapevine News Minute (actually, about fifteen minutes), a weekly podcast which allows you to dig deeper in these stories, and get to hear songs live.

Susan Bailey, along with George Leite (of Catholic Jukebox/Catholic Rockers/Catholic PraiseCast fame) presented an informative session at the Catholic Faith & Media Conference at Franciscan U of Steubenville, earlier this month. They even got a few good blurbs about Top Catholic Songs in... Thanks So Much!! (Check out their presentation on Grapevine's main page).

Discover the blessings of Catholic Music, and check out both Grapevine and Catholic Jukebox today.

Nick Alexander here...
In anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's trip to the United States, we thought it would be great to create a playlist that built around the theme of his visitiation:"Christ Our Hope." What follows is a list of great songs from every musical style that best exemplify this theme. (We even included a Mozart piece, since our current pontiff is a big fan).

Nick Alexander here...
In honor of the third anniversary of Karol Wojtyla's passing (aka Pope John Paul II), Mark Mallett has created this exceptional video.

Be sure to check out Mark Mallett's website.

The Second Sunday of Easter is now known as Divine Mercy Sunday, a devotion popularized by Saint Faustina. Here is a list of twenty great songs that can bless your Divine Mercy Sunday.

John Michael Talbot is one of the most important figures in Catholic music today. He has recorded fifty albums, spearheaded a religious-and-lay movement that unites the branches of contemplative, charismatic and monastic spiritualities, has been a tireless advocate for social justice causes, and even started The Catholic Association of Musicians, of which I am an enthusiastic member.

The following is the text of his 2008 Holy Week/Easter message:

Peace and Good in Christ!

It is time for my Holy Week and Easter message to our community. Two thoughts come to mind:

The "holy" in "Holy Week" has special significance. "Holy," means "set apart." Holy Week is time for us to set aside special times and places to do more intensely the positive things we do daily as disciples of Jesus. To be a "disciple" means to embrace the "discipline" of a teacher or master. For a Christian Jesus is our Teacher of teachers, and Master of masters. For most of us this means more intentional time and space for prayer and meditation on Jesus and the Church. In addition to personal spirituality in the privacy of our own home it might also mean going more often to church for Mass or Communion or the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the "communion" of "community" with those of one mind and heart regarding faith and morality. We can also mention simple acts of kindness that do not have to be noticed or rewarded by anyone but God. On a personal note I was deeply touched during Lent when one of our consecrated sisters brought meals to my hermitage during a time of illness. I was also blessed by a discipline embraced by several monastics of not saying anything negative about anyone. Both of these penances touched me deeply.

I have also been struck in recent weeks by the much talked about report that 8 out of 10 Americans call themselves "Christians." That is much higher than I would have thought, and is very revealing
concerning everything from interfaith issues such as meditation and mysticism to moral issues such as pro life and simple living. But the report goes on to say that most of these have not stayed with the religion of their upbringing, and now tend to "shop around" with various churches whenever one gets too familiar, or "old."

This latter point is a bit disconcerting. It is a challenge to the church, and a challenge to our culture. How is it that so many call themselves not just religious or "churched," but "Christians," yet are so unhappy with the stability offered in the institutions of traditional family and church? On one level this report gives us great hope that we will find enough common ground with those of western culture to bring the deeper messages of faith, morality, and mysticism. On another level it means that we Americans tend to only "buy" that which is easy, simple, and quickly replaceable. Is it any wonder that deeper levels of spirituality are seldom reached by those of our own culture?

This is a challenge to those of us who stay with one church or spouse for life. It challenges us to live our stability in a more life giving way. This way must authentically change us within before it can change anyone or anything without. This is called being a "witness" for Christ. But such "witnessing" can be most off putting if done only for display. It must be genuine and humble if it is to have a positive effect.

So I encourage you to set aside some extra time for prayer, church sacraments, and care for everyone we meet. Let's embrace a Christian spirituality that takes us so deep that we no longer feel the need for the easy and quickly replaceable spirituality that has become so prominent in America today. Then we can get to the root of the problems of our culture that sees everything from marriage to monasteries in an easy, and quickly replaceable mindset. Then can we find the stability of Jesus who never leaves us so easily or quickly when we fall into the various troubles of life. Then we can have a stability within that no one can take away. This stability can then bring a deep and abiding peace to our troubled and insecure world.

Of course, I cannot do any of this without God's grace, and most specifically through the dying and rising of Jesus. This is the whole point of Holy Week and Easter. When I let go of my ego centric self in the dying of Christ, then my real self finds its place gracefully in His resurrection. Without this I can do nothing.

In Jesus,
John Michael Talbot
Founder and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

Timothy English writes: "Since Holy Week and The Easter Triduum is one mystery, here are some of my favorite Easter peices."

Nick Alexander here...
Thought you all might enjoy some exceptional videos for Holy Week.

Eyes by Nancy Krebs

Oh My People by APOSTOLICA

We Need the Cross by Bryan Murdaugh

Sorrowful by Point 5 Covenant

Nick Alexander here...

Holy Week is fast approaching. Therefore, now is the time to reveal this community's Top Ten Holy Week Songs. After a lengthy process of entering song titles, listening, voting and tallying, these songs were the ones that affected us most, particularly for Holy Week, encompassing Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday), Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), Good Friday, and Holy Saturday... up to (but not including) the Easter Vigil.

1. Calvary by Sean Clive
   
   Jesus calls us to embrace our own cross as He hangs upon His.
   
2. And Time Stood Still by Dan Dúet
   
   With this Good Friday song, I wanted to tie in the killing of an innocent Man with the killing of the innocent, unborn today.
   
3. Holy Thursday by Nick Alexander
   
   Funny--but reverent--update on The Mamas and the Papas'"Monday Monday"in homage of the Triduum.
   
4. Lamb of God by Trish Foti Genco
   
   Beautiful cover of the classic Twila Paris song.
   
5. Forsaken by John Flynn
   
   Haunting rendering of Psalm 22, written for Palm (Passion) Sunday
   
6. Psalm 42 (As the Deer Longs) by Lynn Geyer
   
   A sweet and gentle reminder of all that God is to us and how we really don't need to worry.
   
7. Eyes by Nancy Krebs
   
   This song is about the Passion and Death of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the wife of a Roman soldier. It is very dear to my heart.
   
8. Father (The Passion) by Bob Metivier
   
   I wrote it for the Good Friday service several years ago, and got through it until just when it ended, and then it literally"took me out."
   
9. Oh My People by Apostolica
   
   The words are based on the classical"Good Friday Reproaches." Of all my songs, this one evokes the most emotion.
   
10. Via Dolorosa by Mel Kennedy
    
    Watching Heather Whitestone, the first and only deaf Miss America, perform a ballet to this song, gave me inspiration to record my own version.
    

Feel free to listen in to each of these songs, and make them your own. These iMixes are set up easily so that you can download them to your computer, and listen to them on your MP3 player... or you can burn them onto a CD and listen to them there. Or, you can purchase the albums directly from the vendors. It will bring a greater sense of devotion to this, most sacred and solemn of weeks.

Nick Alexander here...
After accepting submissions, of listening to the offerings, and a week-long process of voting, this community has come up with their official Top Ten Adoration Songs list. These are songs that can be beneficial either for adoration, or encouraging to pursue Eucharistic Adoration.

1. Broken by Christopher D'Alfonso
   
   Jesus, broken now to make me whole
   Jesus, of my heart take control
   Jesus, all I want is more of you
   More of you
   
2. Spending Time Adoring You by Margo. B. Smith
   
   This is a song/prayer to our Lord expressing a loving desire to spend time in His presence adoring Him. As I wrote this song I was reflecting on how much I love to visit the perpetual adoration chapel and be in the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament. In His presence there is peace, healing, joy and love. In the silence, He speaks to us.
   
3. Holy God, We Praise Your Great Name by Nick Alexander
   
   A lively, reverent update to the classic hymn.
   
4. Open Book by Teresa Smith
   
   The song was inspired actually during my time of adoration - about going to adoration, his real presence, and speaks of Jesus' ability to "read" us well even though we may not be able to put into words something that may be weighing heavy on our hearts.
   
5. With You by Sean Clive
   
   "Come away with me for a while to a place set apart…" Sometimes all you need is quiet. If you meet Him daily, you realize that all the other parts of your day are spent walking with the Lord. (Mark 6:31a)
   
6. Jesus, Teacher by Michael Howard
   
   Teach me how to live like you
   Show me how to pray
   Humble me in all I do
   I’ll follow you, just lead the way
   
7. Quiet Here With You by Lynn Geyer
   
   The awesome humility we can experience as we sit quietly before the Lord.
   
8. Holy Are You, Lord by Mark Mallett
   
   This is my favorite song to sing before the Blessed Sacrament. I recall how my ministry team would gather before the tabernacle, and raise our voices in this song until we were drenched in God's presence.
   
9. Psalm 123 by Valerie Von Fange
   
   A beautiful praise song based on Psalm 123
   
10. You Are Enough by Celeste Zepponi
    
    My producer Joe Hand and I always start our work sessions with prayer. This particular song was written as a result of one of those prayer times. I will never forget Joe sitting across from me, holding my hands and praying. I was in tears that morning, feeling out of place... Joe prayed for a long time. His voice was comforting, as if Jesus was speaking to me through him. I kept hearing the words: I am enough, I am enough, I am enough for you. Do not worry about your ministry,your age, or what it takes to produce this offering of praise. I have given you everything you need to accomplish this work. I am enough for you.
    The next morning I wrote this song.
    We never know where God is leading, especially when we feel the weakest. But, if we are in prayer, we can be sure God is listening and He has a plan. God is enough.

Feel free to listen in to each of these songs, and make them your own. These iMixes are set up easily so that you can download them to your computer, and listen to them on your MP3 player... or you can burn them onto a CD and listen to them there. It will bring a greater sense of devotion to the practice of Eucharistic Adoration.

Mark Mallett writes:
I wrote Deliver Me From Me at a time when I felt acutely my spiritual poverty. I think that's why so many people connect to this song---those who are genuinely seeking Christ experience their own weakness, and so this song becomes the song of their heart also.

Scripture says, "By His wounds we are healed." Are we not His body? Then it could be said that when we expose our wounds to others in a spirit of humility, they too find healing, because in that humility, that truth, they find Jesus hidden within us, in the distressing disguise of the poor.

Deliver Me From Me

Deliver me from me
From this earthly tent, sagged and leaking
Deliver me from me
From this earthen vessel, cracked and dried
Deliver me from me
From this flesh, so weak and worn
Lord, deliver me, from me... into Your Mercy

Into Your Mercy
Into Your Mercy
Into Your Mercy
Lord, deliver me from me... into Your Mercy

...deliver me from me
From this flesh, so weak and worn
Lord, deliver me from me... into Your Mercy