New Ross Choral Festival
17th - 19th May 2013 will see New Ross host its 29th AIMS Choral Festival
with 20 competitions across two days for Junior and Adult competitions.
The liturgical music competition is on Sun afternoon in the Parish Church
as follows: Competition H 1.50pm Sacred Music; Competition A 4.10pm Mixed
(40 voices & over); Competition K 4.40pm Gospel Music; Competition G 5.40pm
Chamber Choir.
Nightfever
Nightfever is a new initiative marrying prayer and music - so far two
events are planned for Clarendon St Church off Grafton St in Dublin. 6
pm Mass is followed by music, prayer and reconciliation until 11 pm. A
similar event is planned for Thursday June 20th from 7 pm. The event has
its origins in street ministry at World Youth Day. For more information
see this
article in the Irish Catholic, the Nightfever
website or the Event
page on Facebook.
Film
of the Month As
an initiative for the Year of Faith Veritas is highlighting a Film of
the Month online - click here.
Reviews and study guides are provided by Fr John-Paul Sheridan, and so
far the films covered are - The Mission, It's a Wonderful Life
and Shadowlands.
New
CD From Belfast The
folk group of St Therese's In the Holy Family Parish in Belfast has released
a Christmas CD. Te album was recorded in various locations and includes
many Christmas classics. The album is for sale in Veritas shops and from
the Holy Family parish office, Newington Ave, Belfast, at 10 stg.
Year
of Faith - Callanan Workshops Ian
Callanan, liturgical composer, is now taking bookings for music workshops
that will inspire active participation during the liturgy. The workshops
will awaken prayerful reflection and service to others and he will offer
resources to help you celebrate and share in the Year of Faith. Full day
and evening workshops are available. For more information contact Ian
at (086) 249 0779 or by e-mail info@iancallanan.com
World Youth Day Rio 2013
The
official song for World Youth Day 2013 in Rio is now available. So far
it's only in Portuguese, translations on the way. The lyrics are here.
New
Ian Callanan CD In
Beauty We Walk is the title of Ian Callanan's new collection of contemporary
sacred music which is now available from Veritas Shops and directly from
GIA Publications. It is a combination of real-world songs for worship
that implore us to become the body of Christ—to live together in unity
as “one holy people.” The songs are suitable for use throughout the liturgical
year and encompass a variety of musical genres infused with Celtic grace.
“Lord Heal the Darkness,” “Come and Eat This Bread,” and the title track,
“In Beauty We Walk,” all seek to encourage, embolden, and enliven the
spirit. A song of farewell, “The Warm Embrace,” offers courage and consolation
to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Callanan draws
us toward conversion and healing while inspiring us to live out the gospel
message every day of our lives. Samples and more info on the making of
the album are available at Ian
Callanan's website. Callanan is also available for school and parish
workshops - more info and contact details here.
Lourdes
CD The
story of Lourdes in music, prayer and reflection Music presented by Dublin
Lourdes Choir, Dublin Diocesan Music Group Soloists – Mihaela Loredana-Chirvase,
Rodrigue Marino Nguekam, Sharon Lyons, Mary Flynn and Paul Kenny Organist
– David Grealy, Harpist – Denise Kelly Director – Pat O' Donoghue. Available
from Veritas Shops and Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street Shop – €15. More
info here.
Year
of Faith The
official hymn of the Year of Faith is called "Credo Domine"
and the sheet music can be downloaded from the official Year
of Faith Website. Resources and information about the Year of Faith
in Ireland are available here.
Liam
Lawton's Irish Mass Workshops New
Irish Mass Setting - Fr Liam Lawton has written a new Irish Mass setting
for the revised missal. Following the success of the Glendalough Mass,
Liam has composed a Mass setting with a very Irish style, which highlights
the beauty of Irish melody and language. Written for soloist and choir,
it is also very suitable for Irish instruments as will appear on the recording.
Aifreann Muire na nGael (see below also) celebrates one of the
great Irish Saints, St. Brigid of Kildare – the 5th century saint affectionately
known as Mary of the Gael. I wanted to compose a Mass setting that celebrates
the life of one of our great saints but also to celebrate the beauty of
Irish music form. So the Mass setting has pathos, joy and melodic tones
that are unique to our beautiful and rich culture. Liam Lawton With musical
arrangements by Mark Cahill who has worked with Liam on a number of collaborations
the collection is very accessible and melodic. Along with arrangements
for Soloist, Choir and Instruments, participants will also receive a backing
track which will enable them to learn the Music with the help of the recorded
Irish instruments, which will be very useful in Church, school or other
settings. Workshops – Dates and Venues To help introduce the New Mass
setting to choirs and cantors- Fr Liam is hosting two workshops in Naas
and Graiguecullen. Tuesday November 13th 8:00p.m Parish Centre, Graiguecullen;
Wednesday Novmeber 14th 8:00p.m Church of the Irish Martyrs, Ballycane
Naas. Cost of Workshop: €15 to include Music Book and CD There will also
be a limited number of CDs available with backing tracks Booking Booking
is essential: Contact Christine 059 9164084 Email fds@kandle.ie
Restless Heart Restless Heart
is a new feature film on the life of
St Augustine. It is due for release this Autumn. Christian Duguay (Joan
of Arc) directed the film, and the cast includes Franco Nero, Johannes
Bandrup, Monica Guerritore and Alessandro Preziosi. Read more about the
film and see stills and clips here.
[added 15/9/12: Catholic News Service Review here.)
Fintan
O'Carroll Masses Veritas
has published a new book of Masses: The Collected Masses of Fintan
P. O'Carroll revised by his son Kevin in line with the new translation
of the Roman Missal. The Masses featured are: - Mass of the Angels - Mass
in onoir Mhuire, Mathair De - Missa Salve Regina - Missal Salve Regina
(SATB) - Mass of the Immaculate Conception - Mass of the Annunciation
Costing 24.99 It also includes accompaniment parts for Trumpet, Trombone,
Timpani, Tuba and Bass Trombone. Available separately - an accompanying
CD. More info, ordering and a facility to preview many pages from the
book here.
New
Taizé CD A
new CD of mainly French language chants from the Taize community, O
Toi, l'au-delà de tout is now available for download, costing €9.99
for the full album or 99c per individual song. Song previews and downloads
here.
Beauty
in Art A
Renewal of Beauty in Art - a Catholic Understanding of Beauty in Art
is a new book by artist Fintan Tracey. It is a book of essays from Tracey's
time studying this topic at the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham. There
are illustrations from some of his own work which was displayed at the
International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, June 2012, as well as consideration
of the work of other artists. The book includes detailed notes and bibliography.
Copies of the book are available from Fintan Tracey, 18 St Anthony's,
Laytown, Co. Meath for €10, including postage. Email contact: shamrockflair@gmail.com.
Aifreann
Muire na nGael Liam
Lawton has written a new Irish Mass setting for the revised missal. Following
the success of The Glendalough Mass, Liam has composed a Mass setting
in a very Irish style, which highlights the beauty of Irish melody and
language. Written for Soloist and Choir it is also very suitable for Irish
instruments as will appear on the recording. Aifreann Muire na nGael celebrates
one of the great Irish Saints, St. Brigid of Kildare, the 5th Century
saint affectionately known as Mary of the Gael. She is also the patron
saint of the Diocese of Kildare &Leighlin where Liam ministers. " I wanted
to compose a Mass setting that celebrates the life of one of our great
saints but also to celebrate the beauty of Irish music form. So the Mass
setting has pathos, joy and melodic tones that are unique to our beautiful
and rich culture." Along with arrangements for Soloist, Choir and Instruments,
participants will also receive a backing track which will enable them
to learn the Music with the help of the recorded Irish instruments, which
will be very useful in Church, school or other settings. The Mass will
be published in September and a number of Workshops throughout the country
are being arranged. Further details will be on www.liamlawton.com
The
Priests in Concert The
Courtyard Concert - An Open Air Musical Evening with The Priests and Wexford
Soprano Alison Doyle. Fri 3rd August Our Lady's Island, Co. Wexford. Adm
€27.50. Tickets from Our Lady's Island Parish Office (053-9131023)
and shops in Wexford, including Babooshka, North Main St and Blazing Embroidery,
Crescent Quay. More info at http://www.ourladysisland.ie/
Elation
Ministries - New Album Still
I Know is the second album from Elation Ministries, well known for
their parish retreat work around Ireland. These are self-penned songs
with scriptural themes by members of the group.The group will play in
the Youth Space for the International Eucharistic Congress in June (see
below). For more information including sample tracks and videos of performances
see their website www.elationministries.com
Jesse Box
The
Jesse Box is a new initiative to help parents tell Bible Stories at home,
but could also be used with younger children at school. The method is
based on drama and imagination, using Bible figures that the children
help to make. Story kits are now available for the Nativity and Easter,
and there are support materials available online to those who purchase
the kit. For more details see video clip above or go to www.jessebox.com
Virtual
Tour of the Sistine Chapel There's a 365 degree online
virtual tour of the artwork of Michaelangelo in the Sistine Chapel . Click
here.
New
CD Your Face O
Lord is a new CD by Domican Sister Ann
McGovern. Sr Ann, a soprano, sings with Our Lady's Choral Society. Liturgical
composrer Ian Callanan was involved in the recording which is available
fromthe Dominican Sisters in Ireland.
There
Be Dragons Film There
Be Dragons is a new film by Roland Joffé (The Mission, The
Killing Fields), is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. There's an associated
website
with resources related to the film. In part it features some key moments
in the life of St Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei. It aims to promote
a message of forgiveness, finding peace with the past and overcoming inner
dragons. THE
IMDB Entry for the film is here.
Faitharts review of the film here.
Christmas
CD from Redemptorist Choir A
Christmas Blessing is a new CD from the Redemptorist Choir at Mount
St Alphonsus in Limerick city. This is their first ever CD. The album
features the Redemptorist Church Orchestra , Tom Rozario on organ & piano
as well as solos from Eugene O' Connor and both Ellen & Conor O' Hara,
all under the direction of their conductor and musical director Brian
O' Regan. The 12 track album contains Christmas classics like "O
Holy Night", "Walking in the Air" and "Angels We Have
Heard on High" as well as more contemporary carols such as the "Shepherd's
Pipe Carol", "Candlelight Carol" and "A Christmas
Blessing". "A Christmas Blessing" is selling for €12 and is available
to buy at the Redemptorist Shop at Mount St Alphonsus on South Circular
Road. The choir will be singing at the Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick,
on Saturday the 10th of December from 11am - 1pm where the album will
also be for sale. For further details please call (061) 318352. The choir
normally sings at the 12 o'c Mass every Sunday (can be viewed by webcam
at www.novena.ie or
www.churchservices.tv
) and the CD will also be available at the Sunday Masses leading into
Christmas.
More
Christmas Albums Some Christmas
albums newly released: A Christmas Carole by Carole King (see mini-review
on blog) - familiar secular songs for the most part, with some originals
by Louise Goffin, King's daughter, and on the spiritual side "Do
You Hear What I Hear" and "Chanukah Prayer"; Libera:
The Christmas Album, spiritual and secular Christmas songs from this
popular boy-choir, including "Once In Royal David's City", "Oh
Holy Night" and "White Christmas"; Christmas by
Michael Bublé, secular songs primarily, but also with "Silent
Night" and "Ave Maria".
Limerick
CD Christmas -
A Journey of Hope, is a new CD from a
group of priests and lay people in Limerick, including Fr Tony Mullins,
Diocesan Administrator and member of the Sagart priests group from the
1980's. The music will be performed in St John's Cathedral on Fri Ded
16th. The CD costs €15 from St John's and the Abbey Book Store. More
info here.
Christmas
Stamp An
Post has launched a Christmas stamp featuring Joseph, Mary and the baby
Jesus on the way to Egypt. It's based on the painting "Flight into
Egypt" by Dutch painter Jan de Beer.
New
Book/CD from Lyric FM's Gloria Published
by Associated Editions, An Introduction to a Millennium of Sacred Music,
features art from Irish collections it also includes a CD of the finest
recordings of Christmas music from the Hyperion catalogue. This is a companion
book for Lyric FM's Gloria programme, broadcast for many years past on
Sunday mornings, and presented by Tim Thurston. The Book/CD package can
be ordered here.
At this link there are also links to podacasts and information on previous
programmes.
Liturgical
Arts Group The Vatican is establishing a new commission for liturgical
art and sacred music linked to the Congregation for Divine Worship. The
body will study church architecture projects and look the music used at
Mass.
Portlaoise
Choir CD The
Portlaoise Contemporary Choir have released a CD ‘In Praise’ to mark the
occasion of their tenth anniversary. The choir is the Contemporary Choir
who sing at the 12.30pm Mass in St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise.
The CD ‘In Praise’ is a culmination of 10 years Music Ministry in Portlaoise
and some favourite of the choir and congregations favourite tracks feature
on it – ‘Knowing You’, ‘You Are Mine’ and ‘Stand By Me’ to name but a
few. Their repertoire is mostly from contemporary liturgical composers
such as Liam Lawton, David Haas, Tom Kendzia and Graham Kendrick. The
CD costs 10 Euro and is availablr from Portlaoise Parish Centre. More
info here.
Death
of Jessy Dixon Renowned gospel singer Jessy Dixon died on Monday 26 Sept 2011
at the age of 74. He was best known in secular circles for collaborations
with Paul Simon, but he had a huge career in gospel music. For a New York
Times article on his passing click here.
Film: Soul Surfer The
faith based film Soul Surfer, starring Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid,
opens in Irish cinemas on 23rd September. It tells the true story of a
young girl who rises to the top of her sport after a vicious shark attack.
The US
Catholic News Service review has this to say about it: "Directed
by Sean McNamara ("Raise Your Voice"), 'Soul Surfer' is that Hollywood
rarity: a film that is not afraid to talk about God or to show a happy,
well-adjusted family that makes faith its foundation." Steven D.
Graydanus at Decent
Films writes: "Soul Surfer does nearly everything you
expect it to, but it does it more likably and satisfyingly than you might
think it would."
Pope
Speaks of Finding God in Art At a recent meeting with English speaking pilgrims in Rome Pope
Benedict had his to say: "Today we reflect on the need to draw near
to God through the experience and appreciation of artistic beauty. Art
is capable of making visible our need to go beyond what we see and it
reveals our thirst for infinite beauty, for God. Dear friends, I invite
you to be open to beauty and to allow it to move you to prayer and praise
of the Lord. May Almighty God bless all of you!"
New
Book from Sr Wendy Real
Presence - In Search of the First Icons, is a new book by Sr Wendy
Beckett, famous for her art programmes on BBC. This book looks at early
icons of Christ, including from a time in the Church's early history when
icons were frowned upon and even suppressed by some in the Church, especially
Byzantine Emperor Leo III who clashed with Pope Gregory who issued a document
in defence of icons. For a detailed review of the book click here.
Music
CD from Trim Songs
of Praise @12.30 is a new CD from a group
of singers in Trim, Co. Meath. The non-profitable, limited-edition CD
features some of the town’s most recognised soloists who have recorded
hymns and spiritual anthems that have been heard at the Sunday 12.30pm
Mass since music was re-introduced to that Mass. The performers are Teresa
Carley, Gwen Bagnall, Sarah Canny, Sarah Heary, Clare Murphy and Frank
Foley. Songs include Stand by Me, Only in God, The Deer's
Cry, Voice of an Angel and more.
The CD is
on sale at Veritas from 25th July, and due for launch at the 12.30 Mass
in Trim on Sunday 24th July. [corrected 22/7/11]
Poetry
Website Emptiful
Vessels: This site features the poetry of Fr Seamus Devitt CSSR, a poetic
priest of the Redemptorist Order. A wide variety of spiritual topics is
covered, and the site layout is attractively simple and uncluttered.
60
Artists Celebrate Pope's Anniversary
60
artists have donated mostly original works of art for the occasion of
the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Pope Benedict XVI. These include
composer Ennio Morricone.
Of
Gods and Men on DVD Of
Gods and Men - the award winning French film about monks in Algeria
being harassed by local extremists is available on DVD/Blu-Ray from Mon
11 February. It was nominated for a BAFTA Award and won the Signis Award
for
Best European film of 2010 (SIGNIS
is the World Catholic Association for Communication and Media).
It includes many scenes suitable for Religious Education classes. For
the Faitharts review of the film click here.
New
John Michael Talbot Album Due
for release in June - Worship and Bow Down, Talbot's first studio
album in over 2 years, 17 tracks with rich, orchestral arrangements and
multi-layered choral background harmonies . Includes John Michael Talbot's
new Mass of Rebirth in a beautiful "Contemporary Chant" style (New Roman
Missal Translation!). The album can be pre-ordered here.
New
film: Cristiada Due
out later in 2011, Cristiada is a feature film about resistance
to the enforced secularisation of Mexico in the 1920's. Andy Garcia plays
one of the leaders of the resistance, while Peter O'Toole plays a pacifist
priest. The film is directed by Dean Wright who worked as visual effects
executive producer on the Lord of the Rings and Narnia series.
Sacred
Music and the Young Sacred music has
a universal appeal, but a particular attraction for young people, according
to a monsignor promoting a concert series in Roman basilicas. Monsignor
Liberio Andreatta, who is vice president of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi,
and the commissioner of the artistic agency A Voce Sola, was speaking
about a music festival that will take place in St. John Lateran and the
Basilica of the Twelve Apostles on the last three Wednesdays of April.
For the full story see Zenit
newsagency article. Zenit also has a related
article on cris and hope in sacred music.
Stations
of the Cross for Our Time Kildare and Leighlin
Diocese has provided a Powerpoint and accompanying text of the Stations
of the Cross. The original art works of the Stations of the Cross that
accompany each written reflection are the work of Ken Cooke and are from
the Church of St. George the Martyr in Newbury. The
presentation is here
and the booklet here.
Scripture
Sharing for Lent Kildare and Leighlin Diocese has launched
a "Scripture Sharing for Lent 2011" booklet. The accompanying
artwork is from the enamels of Irish artist Anne
Murphy. For more information and ordering click here.
Passionist
CD Love
Casts Out Fear is a new CD of sacred music from the Passionist order.
This initiative is in aid of their Building Fund for Crossgar Monastery
in Co. Down. A donation of £10 + £1.50 postage and packaging is suggested.
To request CD please contact Eilish at 028 44830242 or Email: secretary@tobarmhuirecrossgar.com
Award
for "Of Gods and Men" The film Of Gods and Men (see
below) has won the SIGNIS Award for Best European film of 2010. SIGNIS
is the World Catholic Association for Communication and Media. Director
Xavier Beauvois' film tells the story of Cistercian monks under threat
from Islamist extremists in Algeria. For the Faitharts review of the film
click here. The film, as of early February
2011, is still running at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin. More
info and booking here.
Spirit
Radio Launches Ireland's
first national Christian Radio station launched 27/1/11. Music plays a
prominent role in the schedule, and will include specificaly Christian
music as well as positive and uplifting secular music. Frequencies: On
FM in Dublin 89.9 - Limerick 89.8 - Galway 91.7 - Cork 90.9 - Waterford
90.1 and online.
There's an iPhone app, and It can also be found on Nokia Internet Radio
app (Download from OVI store).
13th Day on DVD The
13th Day - A Story of Hope, is a modern
film (2009) about the apparitions in Fatima and is now available on DVD.
Veritas has it available for €19.95, click here.
For the Faitharts review of this film (and a trailer) click here
and see entry for 17/2/10. One quote from that review: "One thing
the filmmakers have achieved is to present this timeless story to a modern
audience in an idiom they can understand and relate to". The review
suggests possibilities for school use. There's
also a detailed review at Decent
Films. More information
is available at the Internet Movie Database here,
while the film's official website is here.
Official
Hymn for the Eucharistic Congress 2012 Preparations for the Eucharistic Congress
in Ireland in 2012 are well under way. The official hymn for the event,
Though We Are Many is now available. It's a specially commissioned
piece and was written by Bernard Sexton. Click here
to hear the song and to download the sheet music.
Priest
Poet Fr Martin Kelly from Belfast has released
a CD of original poems which deal with his life experiences. The Rhythm
of the Ordinary is available from Veritas.He discovered his love of writing in Portasferrry in 2004 and
is currently PP of Drumbo and Carryduff.
Word
of God at the Globe Theatre In 2011 Shakespeare’s
Globe Theatre in London will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King
James Bible which was completed in 1611, and the enduring power of
dramatic language with a season entitled ‘The Word is God’. The theatre
season will commence with a cover-to-cover reading of The Bible and a
small-scale touring production of Hamlet, presenting a rare opportunity
to experience the two foundation stones of the modern English language
back-to-back. Around the Easter weekend a simple, unstaged recital of
The Bible – one of the greatest pieces of world literature – will only
be interrupted by performances of Hamlet – widely celebrated as
Shakespeare’s intellectual masterpiece – which opens at the Globe on Shakespeare’s
birthday, 23 April, before it takes to the road for a UK and European
tour. The season’s theme will be followed through with the first Globe
production of Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, the greatest
tragedy in English before Shakespeare, which tells the tale of a man who
sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge. Later in August,
The Globe Mysteries will present a fresh perspective on The Mystery
Plays, using the Globe’s historically resonant auditorium to look anew
at the earliest form of English drama, which retells the story of the
bible, using street theatre and processional performance. More info here.
Hymn
for World Youth Day The official hymn for World Youth Day has been released. This
is the Spanish version - English version should be available soon. Called
Firm in the Faith it is performed by the Youth Orchestra of the
Community of Madrid and the Youth Choir of the Escolanía de El Escorial.
The accompanying video (left) features touching scenes from previous World
Youth Days, including a young adult Baptism. Fr. Enrique Vázquez composed
the music, while Msgr. César Franco, general coordinator of WYD and auxiliary
bishop of Madrid, composed the lyrics. More information, other versions
of the song, and sheet music is available here.
Sagrada
Familia On 10th Nov Pope Benedict celebrated
a Mass at the Church of the Holy Family in Barcelona, the famous Sagrada
Familia of architect Antoni Gaudi. In his homily he spoke of the element
of catechesis in Gaudi's marvellous artwork - He spoke of how Gaudí was
“filled with devotion to the Holy Family of Nazareth,” and “inspired by
the ardour of his Christian faith, succeeded in raising this sanctuary
as a hymn of praise to God carved in stone.” Benedict said that Gaudí
used his craft to “bring the Gospel to everyone.” “For this reason,” the
Pope explained, “he conceived of the three porticos of the exterior of
the church as a catechesis on the life of Jesus Christ, as a great rosary,
which is the prayer of ordinary people, a prayer in which are contemplated
the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of our Lord.”
There
Be Dragons Film There Be Dragons is a new film by Roland Joffe (The Mission,
The Killing Fields), due for release in 2011. A trailer is now available
(clip on left) as is a website
with resources related to the film. In part it features some key moments
in the life of St Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei. It aims to promote
a message of forgiveness, finding peace with the past and overcoming inner
dragons.
New
Lawton Album and Tour Due
out on Dec 1st, a new album from Liam Lawton - Courage Can Cry. Here's
what the official
website has to say about it: "Courage Can Cry is album about
hope over adversity. It's about the triumph of the human spirit when we
can lay the ghosts of fear to rest, and dare to journey within, finding
the hidden reserves lying within each one of us". New tours dates
are also available for the Chrismas season: click here
for details and booking.
Christmas
Album from The Priests Noel
is the title of a new album due out from The Priests. Release date is
the 6th December. Track list is as follows: 1.Ding Dong Merrily On High
2. First Nowell, The 3. Sussex Carol 4. Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth
5. Holly And The Ivy, The 6. Away In A Manger 7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
8. In The Bleak Midwinter 9. In Dulci Jubilo 10. Joy To The World 11.
Silent Night 12. O Come All Ye Faithful 13. What Child Is This 14. Hark
The Herald Angels Sing. More information and purchasing options at Amazon,
and at The Priests own website.
New
Album from Angela Hutchison Canadian
Gospel singer Angela Hutchison has released a new album - Unconquered
- which is available to order from her website
(click on the music page link) , or the album can be downloaded from iTunes
and from Amazon.
On these download sites track previews are available. All songs are original
except for the Rich Mullins song Quoting Deuteronomy.
Diocese
Susan Boyle Christmas CD The
Gift is Susan Boyle's new Christmas CD, due out on 15th November.
Tracks include The First Noel, Do You Hear What I Hear, Away in a Manger
and Come All Ye Faithful, along with some non-seasonal songs
like Make Me A Channel of Your Peace. More information, including
pre-ordering and a video exclusive at Amazon's page for the album.
Gregorian
Chant CD Voices
- Chant from Avignon is a new CD due out in November. It features
the singing of a community of Benedictine nuns from near Avignon in France.
The nuns from Our Lady of the Annunciation Abbey were chosen out of a
selection of 70 convents worldwide. More information, including a video,
and purchasing options is available on Amazon's
page for this album.
Christmas CD Our Lady's Choral Society is set to launch
their Christmas CD in late November. This will include original arrangements
of traditional and new carols, and there will be orchestral accompaniment
with guest artists. More info from their website: www.olcs.ie
First Holy Communion Book My
First Holy Communion is the first publication from a new publishing
company Clonmacnois
Press. It is written by Deirdre Mary Ascough and features colourful
artwork by Lisa E Brown. From the publisher: "this book takes young
readers, in the company of their parents and grandparents, into the mystery
of the Eucharist as they prepare for their First Holy Communion. This
fascinating presentation tells a bird’s eye version of God’s story of
love for his children that is found in the Bible and explains First Holy
Communion in the context of that great adventure". More information,
purchasing options and sample illustrations here.
Logos
Review
Logos Review is a "journal of arts and ideas" in harmony with
the teaching of the church, produced by the Logos
Institute. The 9th Edition is now available free online here.
Back issues are also available.
One
Billion Stories Seth de Moor is
the creative force behind this website, onebillionstories.com
featuring videos of Catholic witnessing, telling their individual faith
stories, singing their spiritual songs. Many of the clips were filmed
by deMoor as he journeyed through the USA. Religious educators should
find lots of useful material here.
Imogen Stuart Award Sept 2010- Famous sculptor Imogen Stuart
has been honoured with the McAuley Medal for her contribution to the arts
in Ireland. The ceremony took place at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick
which gave Ms Stuart one of her first big commissions. Peadar Cremin,
the current president of the College praised her "remarkable fusion
of early Christian imagery, German Romanesque art and 20th Century expressionism.
Alma
Mater Special Offer Universal Music
has a special offer on the album "Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican".
Featuring an illustrated book with an account of the Pope's pilgrimage
private writings from His Holiness and all the lyrics from the album.
Neatly packaged with the book is the CD album and accompanying DVD featuring
a 22-minute documentary on the making of the album. It's €11.99.
Available here.
Rap
Song For Papal Visit A
rap song has been chosen as youth anthem for the upcoming Papal Visit
to the UK. The song is Heart's Cry by Catholic trio Ooberfuse,
who are from London. Worldwide digital release date is 12th Sept, but
the song can be heard by clicking here.
The includes extracts from one of Pope Benedict's speeches, where he declare:
“evil will never reign in the hearts of men again.”
CALL
FOR PAPERS: Abstracts are invited for contemporary
art and Christianity conference on the 20th of November 2010 at the Avila
Centre for Spirituality, Dublin. The theme of the conference is The Baptised
Imagination. (Abstracts of 250 words for 20-30 minute presentations.)
The organisers are interested in submissions from across all artistic
disciplines as well as relevant theological papers. This is the third
in a series of conferences, primarily aimed at visual artists. An AGM
of the group will be held after the presentations. Further information
and submissions: Baptisedimagination@gmail.com
m: (+353) 87 4108165
Award
for Janey Mary Dubliner
Paul Brady has won the Best Director
Award for his short film Janey Mary, at the Mirabile Dictu International
Catholic Film Festival in Rome. The film is based on a short story by
James Plunkett. This is 5th international award for the film. For more
info, trailers and a facility to buy the film check out the film's official
website.
Tom
Jones Gospel Album The
next album from Welsh pop singer Tom Jones will be a gospel album! Praise
and Blame is due for release on July 26 and features many of the songs
Jones grew up singing in the Welsh valleys. There has been some controversy
about a leaked email in which the record company's Vice President is supposed
to have called the project "a sick joke", but others wonder
if this might be a marketing ploy by the company.
There's a video
about the making of the album at Amazon, along with track details.
The
Dream of Gerontius
To celebrate the beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman Our Lady's
Choral Society will present the Dream of Gerontius (Text by Newman, Music
by Elgar) at the National Concert Hall, on Thursday 2nd Sept at 8 pm.
Also taking part are the RTE Concert Orchestra and the UCD Choral Scholars.
More info and booking here.
New
Emmaus Album Ronan
Johnston and Emmaus have released their new album "Let's not go back to
Egypt", a reflection on things economic and spiritual in Ireland for these
past couple of years. The album begins with the title track "Let's not
go back to Egypt", a romp through the American spiritual landscape recently
so successfully occupied by the Blind Boys of Alabama. Then an immediate
change of pace with the orchestral (and choral) "Arise Shine", lyrics
taken from Isaiah 60. From folk rock (All who are born of the Spirit)
to Rock rock (I Belong), from quiet meditation of "because of the Lord's
great love" to the wig out of "Hush (and listen)" this is Emmaus back
to their collective ideal of having a real wild mix on every album. More
info here.
Oberammergau
Passion Play 2010 is the year of the famous Oberammergau Passion Play in
Bavaria, which is performed every ten years. This year it started on May
15th and will continue through to October. For more background information
and the history of the event click here.
Christian Artists The
International Society of Christian Artists is holding a conference
in September 2010, from 28th Sept until 2nd Oct. Location of the conference
will be the Abbey in the beautiful village of Schlierbach in Austria.
The aim of the conference is mainly to build on relationships and also
to provide the possibility of taking part in two workshops: leaded glass
and glass fusing.
New Liturgical CD Ancient
Promise is a new CD of liturgical music
arranged by Ronan McDonagh. At the recent launch in Maynooth it was presented
by music group Fuaimlaoi. The CD includes many musical settings, in Irish
and English. There is an accompanying book as well. Further details will
be available at the Fuaimlaoi
website.
Bleeding
Hands, Weeping Stone Bleeding
Hands, Weeping Stone - True Stories of Divine Wonders, Miracles, and Messages.
This is the title of a new book by Elizabeth Ficocelli, aimed at teens
and adults. It is a compilation of extraordinary phenomena in the Catholic
Church - Eucharistic miracles, the stigmata, incorrupt bodies, apparitions,
amazing abilities of the saints, and weeping statues and artwork. See
author's
website for more details. The book can be purchased from Amazon.
On the Amazon page it is possible to view the first few pages of the book.
Bible
Online Catholic.net has launched a new Bible search engine useful
to find quotes or full readings. The Bible can be searched by part, book,
chapter verse, phrase etc. It should be useful for teachers planning graduation
masses and other ceremonies. Quotes can be easily added to Facebook and
other social networking sites (You may have to temporarily allow pop-ups
to use this feature - e.g. by holding down the "Ctrl" button
when clicking the Facebook link). Try it here.
Music
to Unite East and West May 21st: At a concert in the Vatican with Eastern Orthodox
representatives Pope Benedict reflected on the potential of music to bring
East and West closer together. Read the full story here.
The Russian Patriarch of Moscow sent a message to the Pope for the occasion
- "To Understand a People, It Is Necessary to Listen to Its Music", he
said. Read his address here.
Pope
Benedict on Music After a recent (late April) concert in the Vatican Pope Benedict
spoke of the value of music in education - ""The study of music has
high value in the educational process of the person, inasmuch as it produces
positive effects in the individual's development, fostering his harmonious
human and spiritual growth," he said. "We know that the formative value
of music, in its implications of expressive, creative, relational, social
and cultural nature, is commonly recognized." In relation to spirituality
in particular he said that music is "capable of opening minds and hearts
to the dimension of the spirit and of leading persons to raise their gaze
on High, to open to absolute Goodness and Beauty, which have their ultimate
source in God."
Eucharistic
Congress CD A new CD of music
for the Eucharistic Congress (Dublin 2012) has been launched (April 2010).
Becoming the Body of Christ features music by the Dublin diocesan music
group directed by Fr Pat O'Donoghue. More info on liturgical music and
resources in Dublin Diocese here.
Nigel
Connell Album Nothing
Left to Say is the new album from Nigel Connell. Connell has performed
with Liam Lawton, a features some of Lawton's songs on the album. Much
of the material is self written, and some of the songs have spiritual
themes. The album credits feature one "to God above for blessing
me with my talents". Sample tracks can be heard on the artist's website
and on Amazon.
There will a special event to celebrate the album on Mon April 19th in
The Old Darnley Lodge, Athboy. Read the Faitharts review
of the album here.
Diploma
in Church Music at Maynooth Diploma in Arts (Church Music) is a part-time
course offered by the Department of Music, NUI Maynooth. It is conducted
in association with the National Centre for Liturgy. For further information
see www.may.ie/academic
for access to the Department of Music, NUIM or contact Professor Gerard
Gillen, Department of Music, NUIM, Maynooth, Co Kildare. Contact information:
The Pontifical University Office, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co.
Kildare. Tel (01) 708 3600/708 3890 Fax (01) 708 3441
Song
For Year of Evangelisation At the recent Emmanuel choirs event the
winning song in the competition for the Year of Evangelisation was performed
for the first time. Raise Your Voice was written by Padraig Meredith,
from Newbridge and Anna Keegan from Dun Laoghaire.The sheet music for the song can be downloaded
here
(piano) and here
(guitar).
Catholic
Novels Carmen Marcoux
has been writing novels with a romantic flavour for Catholic young people,
which aim to promote Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and to
encourage good values relating to marriage and relationships. Arms
of Love and Surrender are the two novels published so far.
For more info click here.
Stations
of the Cross Resource
The Kildare and Loughlin website is currently offering a Stations of the
Cross resource - it can be downloaded as a pdf file or as a Powerpoint
presentation. The resource is a combination of art works and meditation
- art work is by Ken Cooke. The Resource can be downloaded here.
Post
Grad Diploma
There's a Post Grad Diploma in Spirituality and Leadership in Education
organised by Marino Institute of Education. This one-year programme aims
to provide participants with the knowledge, values and skills in Catholic
educational leadership that will enable them to facilitate efficient and
effective leadership and administrative practices. For more information
contact: Aiveen Mullally Course Director Marino Institute of Education
Griffith Avenue Dublin 9 Ph: Email: aiveen.mullally@mie.ie
More info here.
There Be Dragons There Be Dragons
is a new film by Roland Joffé (The Mission, The Killing Fields,
City of Joy), which deals with incidents in the life of St Josemaria
Escriva, founder of Opus Dei. Arising out of the horror of the Spanish
Civil War, a candidate for canonization is investigated by a journalist
who discovers his own estranged father had a deep, dark and devastating
connection to the saint's life. A release date in 2010 is expected. IMDB
Entry here.
Official film website here.
The
Perfect Game Coming to cinemas in the USA in April - The Perfect Game,
the true story of young Mexican baseball players finding dignity and success
with the help of a dedicated coach and a helpful priest. It is reported
as having a strong faith element. No Irish release dates planned yet.
Check out the official
website.
New
Beth Nielsen Chapman Album Back
to Love is the title of Beth Nielsen Chapman's new album (released January
2010). This doesn't seem to be as overtly religious as her Hymns
and Prism albums, but it looks like there are some general spiritual
and uplifting themes. Tracks include, Peace, Happiness, and The
Path of Love. Previews of the songs can be heard on Amazon.
New
Teachers' Group The Association
of Catholic Teachers is a new network, mostly of Primary Teachers, with
the aim of sourcing good RE resources for the primary classroom. They
produce a regular E-Bulletin with lots of such ideas including arts resources.
Some of the resources would also suit junior classes in secondary school.
Anyone interested can email irishcatholicteachers@gmail.com
Patty
Griffin Gospel Album Highly
regarded US roots singer Patty Griffin has released an album of gospel
songs. Downtown Church was produced by Buddy Miller, no stranger
to gospel, and features guests like Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris and gospel
group The Fairfiled Four. Songs include All Creatures of Our God and
King, Wade in the Water, Virgen de Gaudalupe, We Shall All Be United,
and House of Gold. Previews of the songs can be heard on Amazon.
Book
on Stained Glass Windows Lumen Christi
- The Stained Glass Windows of Mount St Joseph Abbey by Laurence Walsh
OCSO is a new book from Cistercian Press. Mount St Joseph is in Roscrea
Co. Tipperary. There's a detailed review (by Raymond Gillespie of NUI
Maynooth) of the book in the Irish Times Weekend Review section for Jan
16 2010. Click here
to read the review.
Lassus
Scholars Dublin choir, The
Lassus Scholars, provided the sacred music for an event in Rome to
mark the Year For Priests. Choir director Ite O'Donovan described the
concluding mass as one of the highlights of the trip. Ms O'Donovan's diary
of the event can be read here.
For forthcoming events featuring the Lassus Scholars
click here.
Advent
and Christmas Psalms New
CD of Advent and Christmas Psalms: Catholic composer Brian J. Nelson has
released a new recording of Lectionary Psalms for organ, cantor and choir.
The music is deeply rooted in the chant tradition, reflecting both Brian's
classical training and immersion in the Liturgical life of the Catholic
Church. More info here.
Simpsons
and the Vatican Vatican Newspaper L'Osservatore Romano
has commented on the Simpsons, congratulating the show on its 20th Anniversary.
The show is praised for "realistic and intelligent writing", but there
is also a reference to "excessively crude language, the violence of certain
episodes or some extreme choices by the scriptwriters." More details here.
The Priests: New CD Harmony
is the new CD by the Priests. Their previous CD broke the Guinness world
record for the fastest selling classical debut album of all time. This
new album features well known songs like Amazing Grace, You'll Never
Walk Alone and How Great Thou Art, along with lesser known pieces
like When Thou Art Near, King of Kings and Lift Thine Eyes. There
are audio samples at the relevant page on Amazon,
along with a video of The Priests singing Amazing Grace live at
Gladstone Library.
Splendors
of the Magnificat Splendors of the
Magnificat is a beautiful art book and audio CD with 11 of the most inspiring
musical renditions of Mary's Magnificat. - 11 meditations on Mary's Magnificat
prayer of praise, along with 65 high-quality reproductions of sacred art
with commentaries - More than 1 hour of splendid music. More info and
sales here.
Mary
Duff CD Recently
released CD from Irish singer Mary Duff features 13 INSPIRATIONAL SONGS,
FEATURING THE PRAGUE FILM HARMONIC ORCHESTRA. Track Listing: 1. Voice
Of An Angel 2. Be Still And Know I Am With You 3. Panis Angelicus 4. Ag
Criost An Siol 5. There Is A Place 6. Nearer My God To thee 7. Ave Maria
8. If I Can Help Somebody 9. Amazing Grace 10.O Holy Night 11.Let There
Be Peace On Earth 12.How Great Thou Art 13.Goin' Home
Susan
Boyle CD "I
Dreamed a Dream" is the new CD from Susan Boyle (Britain's Got Talent
star) which features some spiritual music, including Amazing Grace,
Silent Night and How Great Thou Art, along with some popular
secular material, like Daydream Believer, Cry Me a River and title
track I Dreamed a Dream. Audio samples are available here
at CD Universe.
CD:
Christmas at St. Michael's Abbey This CD features
the propers of the 3 Christmas Masses sung by the choir of priests and
seminarians at St. Michael's Abbey, in Silverado California. The chants
of the Norbertine Order are slightly different from the Roman versions
and add a richness to the patrimony of Church music. They are recorded
here by the fathers in the abbey church. More info and audio samples here
Daniel
O'Donnell Gospel Album Daniel
O'Donnel's new album Peace In The Valley features 15 new recordings
of inspirational favourites, including "Peace In The Valley", "Mansion
Over The Hilltop", "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and "I'll Fly Away",
all of which have been recorded by some of the most famous artists in
the Country/Gospel genre, including the title track which was made famous
by Elvis Presley. Tracks can be previewed at Amazon.
Song for a Winter's Night Tommy
Fleming's new album Song
for a Winter’s Night is available
from Friday 4th December 2009. Tracks: Walking in the Air, Bells are
Ringing, Angels We Have Heard on High, In the Bleak Mid Winter, Christmas
1915, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel, It Came upon a Midnight,
Who Comes This Night, Wexford Carol, O Holy Night, Silent Night, Song
for a Winter's Night. Also released is the DVD of the same title,
recorded live in Belleek Castle, Ballina, Co. Mayo in a unique intimate
setting with an invited audience of family and friends. The DVD features
20 tracks including many Christmas songs from the album "Song for a Winter
Night", along with some of Tommy's favorites including "The Orchard",
"Wait ‘till the Clouds roll by", "Old Clothes" and many more. The CD and
DVD are available from the usual outlets and from the artist's website.
Alma
Mater Album Released The highly
anticipated album from Music From The Vatican, 'Alma Mater' featuring
the voice of Pope Benedict XVI is out now - Dec 09. You can order your
copy of this album now from Amazon, or buy in the usual oulets. At Amazon
you can also preview all eight pieces of the specially commissioned beautiful
blend of gregorian chants and contemporary classical melodies. At the
official
site of the album there are videos relating to the album including
a performance from the Vatican Choir.
Choirs
for Christmas Competition Now
in its eleventh year, the established RTÉ lyric fm Choirs for Christmas
Competition invites choirs from all around to country to share their music
making with lyric listeners throughout the Christmas Season. Choirs from
all corners of Ireland competed in last year's celebration with some outstanding
entries coming from Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Mayo and Wicklow.
Deadline for entry is Friday December 4th 2009. More info here.
Resonance
of the Gift
Theology of the Body inspires beautiful music - Resonance of the Gift:
Musical Reflections on Theology of the Body. A set of 12 piano hymns
by Peter Gerard Baklinski, to soothe the heart and uplift the spirit,
celebrating the truth, meaning, and power of human love within the divine
plan. Available on CD or downloadable mp3. Listen to a sample or order
here.
All orders shipped FREE until Christmas.
New
Christmas Albums New
Christmas albums for this year include: Christmas in the Heart,
by Bob Dylan (see left), My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli, A Cherry
Cherry Christmas by Neil Diamond, and The Irish Tenors Christmas.
There are also some Christmas songs, including
"Gabriel's Message" on Sting's new album If on a Winter's
Night, and Midwinter Graces by Tori Amos also features some
Christmas material, including "Coventry Carol". For more details,
including song samples go here
at CD Universe.
Music
From the Vatican - Alma Mater This new album, Alma Mater, is due out on 30th November
2009. It features a range of music and includes the voice of Pope Benedict,
who along with the Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome will be releasing
recordings of eight original pieces of modern classical music – proceeds
from the album will be used to provide music education for underprivileged
children around the world. The video clip on left provides a short introduction
to the project, which is produced by Geffen/Universal music. More info,
including the facility to pre-order the album, is available on the official
website for the project.
Pope
Benedict on Music At a piano concert in the Vatican on
18th October 2009, Pope Benedict reflected on the power of music: "Music
is a part of all cultures and, we might say, accompanies every human experience,
from pain to pleasure, from hatred to love, from sadness to joy, from
death to life ... We see how, over the course of the centuries and millennia,
music has always been used to give a form to that which we are not able
to speak in words, because it awakens emotions that are difficult to communicate
otherwise". He also referred to the ability of music to become prayer:
"Music," he said, "great music, gives the spirit repose, awakens profound
sentiments and almost naturally invites us to lift up our mind and heart
to God in every situation, whether joyous or sad, of human existence.
Music can become prayer." Full text of the speech here.
New
Film on Fatima Due for release in USA in October 2009, The 13th Day is
a new film about the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. There are no plans
currently to release it in Ireland, but the DVD can be pre-ordered from
the film's website - www.the13thdaymovie.com
where a trailer (also on left) from the film can also be seen. The film
is written and directed by Ian And Dominic Higgins.
New
Film on Life of Mary Mary, Mother
of Christ is due for release to cinemas in April 2010. It will star,
among others, Al Pacino (Herod), Camilla Belle (Mary), Peter O'Toole (Simeon)
and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Gabriel and Lucifer!). The script was written
by Barbara Nicolosi (a Catholic and founder of ACT One–a screenwriting
school aiming to empower Christians in Hollywood) and The Passion of
the Christ co-writer Benedict Fitzgerald. More info here.
Pope's
New Album Reported by Reuters
news agency: - A Muslim, a Catholic and an agnostic composer have contributed
music to an album called Alma Mater featuring Pope Benedict singing
and reciting prayers, which is due for release in November. Read more
here.
NEW
CD from Louth The
Louth Contemporary Music
Society has released a new CD featuring many spiritual pieces. The
new disc is titled A Place Between, and features world première
recordings of works by John Tavener, Arvo Pärt, Valentin Silvestrov, Alexander
Knaifel as well as pieces by Henryk Górecki and John Cage. All of these
composers have, in various ways, been deeply influenced by profound spiritual,
religious or cultural encounters. The CD intersperses beautiful works
for string quartet (Silvestrov's meditative “Ikon”, Tavener's deeply moving
“Ikon of Joy/Sorrow," Pärt's reflective “Da Pacem Domine”) with two solo
piano works (Pärt's uplifting “Hymn to a Great City," Cage’s melodic and
expressive “In a Landscape”). Górecki's memorial for Michael Vyner "Good
Night" and Knaifel’s mystical “O Heavenly King” both feature the haunting
voice of soprano Patricia Rozario. Silvestrov's 25.X.1893 lullaby is a
melancholic and lyrical piece for violin and piano.
Quilty
Artists Quilty Artists
is new group for Catholics intersted in the arts, especially those who
pratice the arts. Their new website
is in blog/forum format and is in the early stages of development. There's
an opportunity to share personal stories of one's experiences with the
arts and faith, a chance to share song lyrics, a prayer section, and ideas
to inspire beautiful artists!
Award for Secret of Kells Film Tomm
Moore, Director of Cartoon Saloon's THE SECRET OF KELLS accepted the prestigious
audience award for best Feature film at the 33rd Annecy Animation festival
in France on Saturday June 13th. Moore received his Crystal award from
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, director of Amelie and Alien 4. The
festival, one of the most respected events for animation film in the world,
screened 525 films including 27 feature films over a week. With over 120,000
tickets sold it is one of the largest film festivals in Europe. Henry
Selicks's feature CORALINE and Adam Elliots film MARY AND MAX shared the
Jury prize for best feature, with the audience choice going to THE SECRET
OF KELLS. Tomm Moore was not the only Kilkenny native to be honoured on
the night. David O'Reilly, who trained in Cartoon Saloon while a student
and also from Kilkenny received the Special Distinction Award for his
film Please say something, a film which won him a Golden Bear at
the Berlin festival earlier this year. THE SECRET OF KELLS is released
on DVD in Ireland August 7th 2009
Latest CD from the Hutchisons Songs
is the latest CD from Canadian group The Hutchisons- it's gospel folk,
acoustic style with great harmonies and subtle backing. Three songs from
the album can be played from their new
website, where there's also an option to buy the album and earlier
releases, including Angela Hutchison's solo albums. "Songs" has a particular
focus on heaven, and how the hope of eternity sustains us through earthly
suffering.
Little
Oak Glass
This is a stained class workshop in Kerry that produces all sorts of stained
glass works, some of a spiritual nature. Check out the "Glance at
Glass" series on their blog.
One of the items on the page is a stained glass window featuring Our Lady,
which can be seen in Waterville Church Co. Kerry.
CD
- A Song for all Seasons This CD by Emmanuel
Mc Stravick from Belfast will feature 10 catholic songs and a new song
dedicated to Our Lady that will be released as a single.This album will
help fund the Passionist Fathers in Ireland and also a major pro-life
organisation. Each song will be represent a particular saint from the
Catholic Church and features themes of hope and healing. It will be released
in September 2009.
Scorcese
Movie on Martyrs Renowned
director Martin Scorsese is reported to be working on a movie about the
Japanese Martyrs. Filming is due to begin in New Zealand in 2010. The
work will be based on a novel, Silence, by Catholic author Shusaku
Endo, which tells the story of a Portuguese missionary from the 17th Century
and the martyrdom of early Christians in Japan.
Resource
for Music Ministers The Diocese of
Kildare and Loughlin has produced a guide for music ministers. On their
website there is an introduction and extracts from the resource along
with a link for downloading the full resource. Click here.
New Album from Liam Lawton Healing
Song is the latest album from Liam Lawton, due to be released in May
2009. It is a new collection of liturgical music, featuring the orchestrations
of Mark Cahill, The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the St Colman's
Cathedral Choir under the direction of Dominic Finn. Added 7/6/09: Hear clips from the album here. Added 31/10/09: Read review of album here.
The
Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler This
is the title of a new TV movie premiering on April 19th in USA. It tells
the story of Irena Sendler, a Catholic social worker in Warsaw during
World War Two who risked her life to save Jewish children from the Nazis.
Anna Paquin stars in the title role, with Goran Visnjic co-starring. For
the official website of the film click here.
The site includes materials for teachers, including links for further
study, and a short video on the making of the film. Sendler died in 2008.
Ireland's
Own Article
The Ireland's Own issue of March 6th 2009 features an article on
"Holy Hollywood", a wry and lively view of the relationship
between Hollywood and religion, by Tom McParland.
The
Secret of Kells The
Secret of Kells is an animated film featuring a fictional story about
the writing of the Book of Kells currently showing in Irish cinemas. Music
is by Kila and Bruno Coulais (Les Choristes). The official website
for the film is impressive (www.thesecretofkells.com)
and includes related worksheets for primary and secondary schools. The
secondary version is here.
See also the blog entry for 24/3/09.
Celtic
Joy Celtic
Joy: A Celebration of Christmas - another new Christmas album for
2008 - this time featuring Nóirín Ní Riain with her
sons Eoin and Micheál Ó Súilleabhain. Style ranges
from Sean Nós to Gregorian Chant, and tracks include: Coventry
Carol, Ave Maria, Salve Regina, The Holly and the Ivy, Song for Jerusalem
and The Beatitudes.
Enya
- And Winter Came Enya
has released a seasonal album And Winter Came, which features some
Christmas music - including the standards O Come O Come Emmanuel
and a choral version of Oíche Chiúin (she released
a solo version a few years ago). Other tracks include Journey of the
Angels, Spirit of Christmas Past and White as the Winter's Night.
The lyrics are available here.
Chant
- Re-release for Christmas Chant
- Music for Paradise (Universal Music) an album of Gregorian
Chant recorded by a group of young
monks of Holy Cross, a Cistercian Abbey in Austria. was
released in May 2008, and has now been re-released in a 2-disc edition
for Christmas, with extra tracks for the season, including music
for Advent Vespers, Advent Mass, Christmas Lauds and Christmas Mass.
For more information
and reviews see the Amazon
listing.
James
Kilbane Christmas Album Irish
gospel singer and former You're a Star finalist James Kilbane has
released (Nov 2008) his first Christmas album. The Christmas Collection
features many Christmas standards like Little Drummer Boy, When A Child
Is Born, Away In A Manger, One Holy Night and Mary's Boy Child, along
with some lesser known Christmas material. This is James' seventh album
- check out his other gospel material on his website.
All James Kilbane's music is available on download at iTunes,
Napster or CDBaby.
The
Priests Album Three
Northern Irish priests, Eugene O'Hagan, Martin O'Hagan and David Delargy
have a new album (Nov 2008) which is expected to do well in the Christmas
market. Released by Sony BMG, tracks include Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus,
Benedictus, Pie Jesu , Abide With Me, Ag Crióst an Síol and O Holy Night.
There's a full track listing, a video interview with the Priests and a
chance to buy at Amazon.
See The Priests singing here.
Mary Chapin Carpenter Christmas album Just released
(Oct '08) new Christmas album by Mary Chapin Carpenter - called Come
Darkness Come Light - Twelve Songs of Christmas it features traditional
songs like Once in Royal David's City and Children Go Where
I send Thee, with new songs writen by the singer. Genre
spans country/acoustic rock/folk.
Saints
and Scholars Saints and Scholars, a CD of rare liturgical plain chant sung by
the group Schola Gregoriana from Maynooth is now available from Veritas
shops, the National Concert Hall music shop and St Patrick's College Maynooth.
Vision
- The Musical Vision is a musical re-telling the story
of Bernadette of Lourdes in a modern idiom, with rick, pop and jazz influences.
Written by Jonathan Smith and Dominic Hartley, and originally performed
in 2002, this year has seen performances in England, Nigeria and Lordes
itself. Check out the website
for more information, including upcoming performaces, a downloadable score
and a recording of the Lourdes event.
Irish
Priest's New Novel Fr
William King, parish priest of Drumcondra, has published a new novel -
Leaving Ardglass. Set in 1950's Ireland it tells the story of two
brothers, one of whom becomes a priest and one a builder in England. This
is his third novel. More info here.
Vatican
Bans Filming The Vatican has
banned the use of churches for the filming of Angels and Demons,
a new film based on one of Dan Brown's books, a prequel to the Da Vinci
Code story. Some scenes are set in the Vatican and other churches.
A Vatican spokesperson said that Brown has "turned the gospel upside
down to poison the faith".
New
Musical on Mary Mary of Nazareth,
a Story that Continues is a new musical
on the life of the Virgin Mary, which has Vatican support. Alma Menera,
a former Miss Italy plays the title role. The musical is also sponsored
by the Italian Senate. More details here.
Church
Architect North by Northwest: The Life and Work of Liam McCormick is a new
book by Paul Larmour and Shane O'Toole about one of Ireland's most prominent
architects of modern church buildings. His best known churches include
St
Aengus' Church, Burt, Co. Donegal.
Chant
Music Chant
- Music for Paradise (Universal Music) is a new CD (released in May)
of Gregorian Chant recorded by a group
of young monks of Holy Cross, a Cistercian Abbey in Austria.
Lourdes
CD Lourdes Where Miracles
Happen is a new (Feb 08) 17 track
music CD launched to mark the 150th anniversary of the appearances at
Lourdes. It is dedicated to the people who have travelled to Lourdes with
those who are ill.
New
John Michael Talbot Alum Living
Water is John Michael Talbot's latest album, his 50th. There are samples
to listen to on his website,
and the album can also be ordered from there. It includes more songs for
worship - A Kyrie, Sanctus, Gloria and many other
tracks. On
the news section of the Catholic Music Network site there's an enjoyable
account of a presentation made to JMT on the occasion of this 50th album.
Read it here.