Liturgy Share

Chris Wroblewski commented about his amazing new site but it deserves it’s own post:

I have launched a website (LiturgyShare.org) providing free simple liturgical resources for those interested in traditional style music for the ordinary form Mass including a selection guide for psalms and hymns for Sundays and major feast days. Links are provided to YouTube for my scratchy psalm vocals, piano/organ music for hymns, and singing at other parishes when available. The site targets those with limited resources.

Psalms have been composed specifically for this project and have been in use in my congregation for several months. There are only eight sets of psalm tones for the verses, making it easier for cantors to concentrate on the lyrics as they become familiar with the melodies. They deliberately have a low range (D to high C), and the responses are metered, but chant-like.

I have also provided links to some other psalm sources that follow the Australian lectionary, and show how my psalm tones can be used with Amanda McKenna’s responses (from Willow Publications) and can replace the verses in Kate Keefe’s psalm settings (MusicForMass.co.uk) for those who prefer more contemporary sounding responses.

Hymns are in the traditional style and in the public domain, though I also reference the more important copyrighted (metric) hymns, especially those in MacAuley & Connolly’s “Year of Grace” collection. Yes, you can find all the public domain hymns on many other sites, but the intention is to build a curated collection of hymns specifically suited to Catholic liturgy in the form a digital hymnal. In many cases there are two versions of the hymn: one in traditional language, the other modernised (usually from CWB2 when it’s not copyrighted).

Although too late for this year, all the Advent material is collated into pdfs on the landing page.

Going forward, the Christmastide collection is probably two weeks away and going to be too late for those not flying by the seat of their pants, but my focus after that will be Lent rather than the first weeks of Ordinary Time so that at least Sundays before Holy Week are available after Epiphany.

If you have any interest in this type of music, I would appreciate it you could have a look at the website (even if you, sensibly, have Advent already sorted out!) and return any constructive criticism.

The work that has gone into his liturgies and free hymn books is amazing and unlike CWB II he has versions with chords for guitarists and basic keyboard players. I have never had the privilege of being in a parish where the traditional repertoire is prominent and when you see what can be done with the enthusiasm and talent Chris demonstrates, I feel the absence. I also like his acceptance that many parishes will have meager resources. A combination of public domain, donated and self composed music is an attractive option for parish musicians.

I pray Chris has the time, good health and good humour to continue the good work. Three years passes quickly and his suggestions for Advent Year A will still be there with hopefully as much of the liturgical cycle he can manage. Perhaps the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference should sponsor his efforts (but not interfere!).