Recent comments
Author: ronsue
Thanks for sharing your inspiring thoughts, experiences and indirect advice about singing especially in the liturgical setting. May the good Lord bless you evermore deeply in your marriage and ministry. Ron St Martin
Author: ronsue
This is an amazing angelic sounding chant! My son Fr Jeremy has a small group of chanters that sing just like this in poliphonic quadruple harmony at his Church. Heavenly joy and peace. Thanks for sharing Ron
Author: Guest (not verified)
Very nice rendition of the "Magnificat". You proclaim it well in the voice of the young Mary.
Author: Richard Schletty
Grace, thank you for sharing your beautiful version of the Magnificat. Your splendid music and youthful "Mary's voice" work well together.
I inserted the YouTube embed code into your blog post which shows the video player. See this page for more tips on posting and formatting: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/faq
Blessings,
Richard Schletty
TCS admin
Author: asiansa09
Hi Richard,
It will be nice if you can talk with the priests to see if the song, God's gift to all the world, aligns with the Catholic teaching and belief. Especially, the song is related to Saint Faustina's messages from Christ. Maybe we might need to have permission to use Saint Faustina's diary as a source of information for our work of contribution in writing a song about her for the church services.
We need to have an official music committee review it at the archdiocesan...
Author: ronsue
After the Lord's prayer in the mass (second Eucharistic prayer), the priest says the following
prayer:
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
This reminds us of the evil and sin that surrounds us and tempts us from within, while at the same time reminds us to have joyful hope in the...
Author: Guest (not verified)
I listened to the choral recording on your website. Sounds good. Impressive that it was on the Lawrence Welk Show.
Author: asiansa09
Such a good voice singing the song.
Help me to enlighten my heart at the moment.
Author: asiansa09
Jubilee 2025 is a blessed year in which the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the church for everyone to come to visit. Those who visit the church will receive a special blessing during the Jubilee 2025.
Hoping everyone is planning to visit the Roma St. Peter's church.
Follow the church through EWTN
https://www.ewtn.com/
Author: ronsue
Thanks for the Doxology and the reference of theCatholic Catachism. Adorarion of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a fruitful joy of Christ's paschal mystery. I may have had tuna suprem on the day of this recording, but it is mainly Susan's love ingredient that made me sing strong and bright, and happy. Richard, my wife Susan makes tuna supreme twice a week and her recipe is
full of her quiet joy and the Lord's blessings. Tuna supreme is only one of her poetic recipes.
Pa
Author: ronsue
Thanks for the Doxology and the reference of theCatholic Catachism. Adorarion of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a fruitful joy of Christ's paschal mystery. I may have had tuna suprem on the day of this recording, but it is mainly Susan's love ingredient that made me sing strong and bright, and happy. Richard, my wife Susan makes tuna supreme twice a week and her recipe is
full of her quiet joy and the Lord's blessings. Tuna supreme is only one of her poetic recipes. Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
Another great devotional song from the past that ought to be sung again in churches and schools. Thank you for your thorough research and sharing of music arrangements and audio files.
Author: Richard Schletty
We used the OCP online music submission portal:
https://www.ocp.org/en-us/submit-music
The only other way is by mail.
Author: asiansa09
Maybe we didn't come to the right door last time when we tried to submit our songs to Oregon Catholic Press.
We should find out more information about how to enter the organization.
https://www.ocp.org/en-us
Author: Richard Schletty
Be sure to let me know when these contests come around again. Thanks.
Author: Richard Schletty
> Anyways, your voice sounds strong and bright and happy by the way. You must have eaten some tuna supreem.
I'm gonna try some tuna before my next recording session! :-)
Author: Jeremy St Martin
I love the last verse being a praise to the the Most Blessed Trinity.
I don't know if I got the capitilization right there so I appologies for that. No wait.
O.K. I back.
In the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church it says:
"44. What is the central mystery of Christian faith and life?
232-237
The central mystery of Christian faith and life is the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity. Christians are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the...
Author: Richard Schletty
Songwriters "in the old days" were very good at storytelling. A lot of songs on the top of the charts these days are very poor as far as storytelling.
Yes, I will sing the chorus and verses as a storyteller as opposed to a narrator.
The reason I asked for clarification is because I have done storytelling narration. For example, these pieces:
https://www.schlettysound.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Raouls-Rescue-Mission-narrator-and-Ensemble-Mastered.mp3
https://www.schlettysound....
Author: asiansa09
I had a chance to hear you sing your songs on your website.
I realize you are very good at storytelling in your song. That is why I suggest that you sing as a storyteller.
But it is up to you to see what is best for the song.
Author: Richard Schletty
I'll see what I can do. As usual, I hope that it's OK for me to modify your lyrics to achieve prosody with whatever time signature and line length I decide upon.
Question: When you say "storytelling" do you mean that the verses should be spoken instead of sung?
I will modify the chorus so that it supports and flows logically with all three verses.
I am happy to be in touch with you again. It has been too long!
Author: asiansa09
Hi Richard,
I noticed there was a song contest for Eucharistic in 2023. We missed it now. But we should look out for the song contest for years to come in the Catholic community.
https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/eucharistic-revival-musical-competition
We also missed the song contest this year, 2025, with the theme, "Pilgrimage of Hope."
https://www.catholicherald.com/article/global/vatican-announces-contest-to-compose-music-for-holy-ye...
Author: asiansa09
That will be wonderful if you can take on the song lyrics and elaborate to write the music for it.
I am thinking that you are good at storytelling for the song.
My intention for the first verse is to tell my own story, the second verse is to relate the message from Our Lady of Fatima, and the third verse is the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our heart and mind.
Author: Richard Schletty
This reminds me of the collaboration we did a few years ago called Enchristment.
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/enchristment-nguyen-schletty
I actually sang Enchristment a couple times at Eucharistic Adorations at Blessed Sacrament Church in Saint Paul.
I assume you may be looking for someone to set your new lyrics to music. I might even try it myself. I enjoy our collaborations.
Author: Richard Schletty
Ron, simply click on Dan Vi Nguyen's user name asiansa09 in the upper right corner of her comment. It is linked to her profile. Or click here: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/user/362
You can see all her wonderful song contributions here: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/user/362/posts
And here is her biography: https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/node/1403
Dan Vi and I have collaborated on a few songs.
Author: ronsue
What a blessing to be in adoration/contemplation of our Lord in his eucharistic presence every day. We celebrate the paschal mystery in the holy Eucharistic Mass every day.
Are you a musician/song composer? God Bless You. Ron
Author: asiansa09
I like the words you wrote in verse 1. They are just what I would have in mind if I were to write the song lyric.
These days, I attend the Eucharist Adoration at church daily.
Author: Don9of11
Thank you Richard,
My reflection, particularly the comment about hymn selections, aims to encourage church musicians to appreciate traditional hymns. In my parish, our young organist is unfamiliar with traditional hymns because they are not included in the missalette. If a hymn is not listed there, it is typically excluded from the Sunday lineup. The prevailing guideline appears to be that the hymns should align with the readings, as suggested by the liturgy guides accompanying the missalettes...
Author: Richard Schletty
I found this comment by you (under Reflection) to be true to my experience with hymn selections:
"Today, some musicians use missalette guides for hymn choices, while others aim to revive Gregorian chant, both neglecting the educational value of traditional Catholic hymns. There was a time when Communion hymns of this quality were consistently part of the choir and parish repertoire."
Thanks for your complete survey of this wonderful song by Sister Mary Paulina Finn.
Author: ronsue
t
Thanss for posting this wonderful collection of divine mer,y songs .Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
The first recording on your website of "Good Night, Sweet Jesus" sounds like it could have been used in a classic Hollywood black-and-white film. A very nice hymn. Thanks for your thorough research.
This info about the hymn's composer is quite interesting:
"Father Curry became a staunch defender against the proselyting efforts of certain sects and social reform agencies in the neighborhood. He carried out what some called a militant warfare against the efforts of...
Author: Richard Schletty
Yes, it was a brain misfire. I quickly corrected it to Perry Como. One can edit a comment but then choose to check the box "Do not send notifications for this update."
Author: Don9of11
Richard,
The other day I got an email from Top Catholic Songs from you stating:
"I forgot to mention that Bing Crosby sang Act of Contrition in the key of C."
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/node/1978#comment-10797
Did you later correct this?
Don
Author: Richard Schletty
The only thing I don't like about Sonaar so far is that the album title is displayed at the top of the widget player (to the left of the waveform). I would rather have the song title at the top. I have to go into my Media Gallery and change all the MP3s to have the album title the same as the song title.
Other than that, it is proving to be better than WavePlayer <waveplayer.info> which has abandoned me as a perpetual license-holder since the software was pulled from CodeCanyon/...
Author: Don9of11
I'm in no big hurry, get your taxes done and when you get yourself squared away and have some free time, you can do the vocal demos. The key of A or C is fine.
I like the Sonaar Plugin, it's easy to congfigure and add mp3's, my website developer suggested it to me and it has worked out very well.
Don
Author: Richard Schletty
The key of A arrangement should be good for you. I would be happy to sing the A and C versions for you. Would my vocal demos be useful to you? I just have to finish my dreadful income tax return first.
I listened to this: "The Christ Child sung by Don Howe". You had a marvelous voice in 1985!
I also listened to Tom McNeill sing "The New Born King". Fantastic upper range. God rest his beautiful vocal cords.
I am blessed to be conversing and collaborating with both you...
Author: Don9of11
Richard,
I had a chance to listen to all the different arrangments. I like the key of C the most, but my 66 year old voice, just can't hit the high notes anymore. I didn't know that Perry Como sang in the hymn in the Key of C, very interesting. Give your friend Andre my thanks. I sang a christmas song back in the 80s, called The Christ Child in the key of C, which reaches the high note F. Look under Midnight Christmas Eve 1985, #4
https://www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com/...
Author: Richard Schletty
Edited: I forgot to mention that Perry Como sang Act of Contrition in the key of C in that 1950's arrangement by Joseph J. Leahy.
Author: Richard Schletty
You are welcome, Don. André has also done original compositions for piano and orchestra for Ave Maria, Our Father and Prayer to St. Michael.
In fact, André's Ave Maria was performed this past weekend (April 5-6, 2025) by the Octava Chamber Orchestra in Lynnwood, Washington.
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/sites/default/files/Van_Haren_Ave_Maria_Octava_Chamber-Orchestra_4.5.2025.mp3
http://www.octavachamberorchestra.com/
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/sites/...
Author: Don9of11
Thank you Richard, let me look these over and listen to them.
Author: Richard Schletty
Don: Please review these three arrangements. Let us know which keys work best for you.
Download ZIP file
I'll create voice demos soon, but for now you have complete scores as well as nicely performed piano tracks by André van Haren.
Author: Richard Schletty
André and I will prepare sheet music and demo recordings for Act of Contrition in the keys of A and C. Your suggested changes are good. We are glad you like it! Talk soon.
By the way, André is very good with with piano arrangements but has not had training specifically in organ arrangements. Hopefully, a skilled organist can play from the piano scores we will provide.
Author: Don9of11
Rick and Andre,
I have to say that this is a very nice arrangement. I have listened to the mp3 you sent and I have listened to the original recording, excellent job transcribing the music. At measure 30, I think I would put some emphasis on "firm," perhaps a accent mark or fermata, just my opinion.
I think in measure 35, "sin" should be "sins." It is hard to say if Perry Como says one or the other in the original recording, but the old Act Contrition was "sins."
Having a...
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks, Ron. I reposted this because the gospel reading for 4th Sunday in Lent (cycle C) yesterday was Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Author: ronsue
Good lyrics that reflects the story/ ballad and music. Thanks for sharing Ron St Martin
Author: Don9of11
Thank you, this is unexpected and greatly appreciated. Let me look this over and get back to you.
Author: Richard Schletty
André van Haren and I have created an arrangement of "Act of Contrition" in the key of A for medium voice, based on the Joe Leahy composition. See if you like it. If so, feel free to make suggestions for improving it. We also have a version in C for high voice, if interested.
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/sites/default/files/mp3/Act-of-Contrition-key-A-rcs-3.29.2025.mp3
https://www.topcatholicsongs.com/sites/default/files/Act-of-Contrition-key-A-rcs-3.29.2025.pdf
We are...
Author: Richard Schletty
2nd edit: My colleague André has recreated sheet music for medium voice and piano/organ. No charge. I will donate his arrangement to your worthy project. I will send you the score soon for your evaluation.
Great to see the copyright information!
Author: Don9of11
Richard this is awesome. I was able to locate the copyright info in Google books.
Copyright Info
How much would your friend charge to make a piano/organ arrangement?
Don
Author: Richard Schletty
I found an image of the front cover of the Medium Voice arrangement. Unfortunately, it looks like this particular printed copy was sold in 2020.
https://avaluer.net/explore/30898871-act_of_contrition_vintage_sheet_music_performed_by_perry_como_1951___1954
Author: Richard Schletty
This is quite a challenge. I searched and have not found sheet music. As you probably discovered, Perry Como's recording is here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkKd26JP2mY
Apparently, you have the composer's name correctly as Joseph J. Leahy. The info provided in the YouTube description has his last name spelled incorrectly.
Act Of Contrition · Perry Como
Greatest Gospel Songs
Provided to YouTube by RCA Records Label
℗ 2000 BMG Music
Composer: Joseph J. Lacey...
Author: ronsue
I uploaded a new recording that is slightly different from the previous version
Author: ronsue
From Vatican ll document Gaudium et Spes it teaches: " Certainly, the Christian is faced with the necessity, and the duty, of fighting against evil through many trials, and of undergoing death. But by entering into the paschal mystery and being made like Christ in death, he will look forward, strong in hope, to the resurrection." Speaking out against
an evil is part of our witness as Catholics.
Author: Jeremy St Martin
Our hearts deapest desire was mentioned in the second reading of the Office of Readings today. Also that line about crypto is so good. It is the translation of the eternal in the now; calling out the evil in every generation. No fear.
Flash crash and fade crazy crypto and all deceptions.
Author: ronsue
This is a classic catholic hymn(tune) that is worthy to have lyrics added to the original lyrics. Thanks Pa
Author: Jeremy St Martin
It is a tradition to take a tune and make many lyrics for it. This is a wonderful thing to do. I think you did that here right?
Thank you in Christ
Happy Feast of Don Bosco
Author: Richard Schletty
So soothing and reassuring. Sung and played with great devotion to our Creator. Thank you for sharing. Barbados is fortunate to have you there, in person at Mass, to lift hearts and souls heavenward.
Author: Richard Schletty
I appreciate your kind note. I forgot to give this song a bump back in December 2024 during the Christmas season. We actually first published it back in May of 2017. Dan Vi and I were hopeful that OCP (Oregon Catholic Press) would accpet it into their library. But that did not happen.
Author: ronsue
The collaboration and current final version is wonderful. It is testimony of grace - of the Holy Spirit working in the body of Christ to work together for the glory of God and our
joy. Thanks for sharing this wonderful collaboration. Ron
Author: ronsue
Thanks for sharing this wonderful new version of a Christmas classic. The Herald angels are singing with you! Have a blessed new Year.
Author: Richard Schletty
I like it! Well written and played. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year.
Author: ronsue
Fr. Jeremy sent me the new lyrics and song you made recently of Hark the Herald Angels You gave it a wonderful guitar and vocal rendition. Why don't you upload it here and share with us on top catholic
songs Ron
Author: ronsue
Good to hear from you. May you and your family and friends have a blessed upcoming year. May your work at EWTN bear much fruit. Susan and I have been so blest by the good Lord. Adios Ron and Sue
Author: ckelley
Nice work Ron!
Your Christmas Joy shines through this heralding of Christ's coming - well done!
Deacon Chuck
Author: Don9of11
Thank You Richard.
I hope that this small memorial to my friends in the choir will encourage or inspire musicians both young and old to make their music ministry more holy, sacred, and not limit their repertoire to what is found in the parish missalette or pew missals.
Author: Richard Schletty
A heartfelt story about your "extended family" with organist Mary Leary and organist/choir director Ralph Jordan. "The day the music died" was a sad day indeed. Thank you for sharing this.
Author: Richard Schletty
You are welcome. I did this a long time ago with Dave Gómez but thought it could use a remastering in Logic Pro and with Steinberg WaveLab.
Author: ronsue
Your music composition and voice capture the hauntingly deep yearning we have in our hearts for the Lord's return. Thanks for sharing your inspiration! Keep on seeking and sharing your gifts with us. Adios Ron St Martin
Author: Richard Schletty
You light the darkness with the news of the light of Christ. Your lead voice is expressive and intimate. I like the contrapuntal vocal overlays. The sparseness of the guitar arpeggio is perfect for this proclamation. Well done.
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks for providing info about the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The Corpus Christi Watershed link you gave reminded me that I probably downloaded that Sunday School Hymn Book from Jeff Ostrowski's website a few years ago.
Author: Don9of11
Richard
Although the names are similar, the Sisters of Notre Dame are a different congregation from the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sisters of Notre Dame that I refer to in my write-up are the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. There are actually quite a few congregations with Notre Dame in the title. Whenever you see S.N.D., in the music score or hymn this is refering to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Whereas, S.S.N.D., would represent the School Sisters of Notre Dame....
Author: Richard Schletty
Thank you, Don, for your excellent in-depth exploration of this beautiful hymn. The descant in the audio file is wonderful.
You have drawn from a vast collection of historic Catholic hymnals. I am particularly interested in the 1920 and 1948 editions of "Hymns Used by Pupils of Sisters of Notre Dame". In Saint Paul, Minnesota, I was taught by the "School Sisters of Notre Dame" (based in Mankato, MN). Not sure if this order was affiliated with the Boston order that created...
Author: Richard Schletty
I thank Alexander John for writing the lyrics which I adapted. He has written a lot about his conversion journey. Thank you for your kind words.
Author: ronsue
Very good conversion song that I and I'm sure many others can identify with. You have a good affective voice . Thanks for sharing Ron St Martin
Author: ronsue
I posted the comment on the wrong song I meant to post it on your song God is on the scene. I was using a kindle tablet, and had difficulty posting my comment. I'll
try to fix it tonight Ron
Author: ronsue
I posted the comment on the wrong song I meant to post it on your song God is on the scene. I was using a kindle tablet, and was having difficulty posting my comment. I'll
try to fix it tonight Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
Ron, you have written good verses about humankind's ability to praise God with song. This would sound good with light piano, organ or guitar accompaniment, along with choral ahs or ohs. Thanks for sharing.
Author: Richard Schletty
Ron, is your comment meant for someone else? Your comment appeared under your own song. God bless. – Richard
Author: ronsue
Very good conversion song that I and I'm sure many others can identify with. You have a good affective voice .Thanks for sharing Ron St Martin
Author: Richard Schletty
Ron, thanks for your comments. I agree, More like this!
Check out this one – another collab with Alexander John: God Is on the Scene.
Author: ronsue
Wonderful lyrics good country ballad song. Thanks for writing and sharing. You should do more like
songs like this. Ron
Author: ronsue
I suspected that Google Sites would not be able to support all the options you offer on top catholic songs, Rebuilding the whole site, at this point, would be a huge undertaking. Thank God that the site works well and thank you for keeping it up and running. Ron
Author: Richard Schletty
Your website is actually http://innerwindows.net (you missed the s in your comment above).
It looks good. Lots of beautiful Catholic art.
Google Sites would not be a good alternative because it does not allow hosting of a Drupal CMS installation. Moving to Google hosting would mean rebuilding this site completely from scratch. The same would apply if I wanted to use WordPress CMS for this site.
Here's a comparison of Google Sites and Drupal: https://10web.io/builder-comparisons/google-sites...
Author: ronsue
Maybe this is an answer to prayer. My website, innerwindow.net, is on Google Sites and is free. It has never had any downtime, that I know of. Attached are two images from this site. Again thanks for all your work on this site and all your other endeavors. http://innerwindows.net
Author: Richard Schletty
I wish more people would take advantage of this opportunity to post their original songs of faith.
This website, hosted by InMotion Hosting, had been going offline for anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes at a time, daily, for the past few months. InMotion switched me to a different web server but that had the same downtime issue. Last week they migrated my websites to a third web server and that seems to be more stable now. Fingers crossed. InMotion is one of the few web hosting companies that...
Author: ronsue
Thank you Richard for developing, maintaining, contributing to, and funding this website
May the Good Lord bless you in all your work. Ron St Martin
Author: Richard Schletty
Thanks, Ron, for your heartfelt arrangement of this psalm of yearning for God. May God save us all and bring tranquility to the world.
Author: Richard Schletty
Reminiscent of 60s-70s folk ballads. Articulately and beautifully sung. I love the guitar arpeggio. Simple yet rich in the spirit of rejoicing. Good ambience.
Author: Richard Schletty
A most appropriate approach to reflecting on the goodness of the Lord. Your sung melody and guitar accompaniment soothe the weary soul and direct our thoughts to the God of Creation. Thank you for sharing.
Author: Richard Schletty
This has a prayerful, peaceful and calming feeling. Beautiful singing. Another psalm well done.
Author: ronsue
The good Lord always seeks his beloved lost sheep and asks us to help him to seek and bring him to him.
Author: ronsue
Yes, many saints have reminded us throughout salvation history of the presence of the angels in personal and social contexts. The Angel of Portugal appeared and prepared the children at Fatima for the coming of Mary, queen of angels. St Padre Pio often spoke of angels and the important work they do in our behalf
Ron St Martin
Author: ronsue
Your comments are part of our yearning to see the good Lord in his
radiant glory! Congratulations on your new archbishop Richard Henning!
Author: Jeremy St Martin
Help us now!
That great day is coming ever closer. This song helps ster in us the hope for our own salvation and glorification.
That will be a great and ever new glorious song.
And even our bodies will be saved!
To be carried will be great. No more trying and striving.
Thank you!
Author: Jeremy St Martin
It is so important to think of the Angels.
We read about them throught the Bible and we refer to them in detail in the Mass.
So many of us forget that we are not fighting the battle on our own.
There are armies of angels fighting along with us.
The bad angels are doomed.
Did you know that we know about the Chiors of angels from ancient science? It is hard to imagine but they are part of ancient Greek metaphisics.
It is similar to how modern science is discovers invisible...