Podcast appearances and mentions of matt reichert

This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by Ministry Scheduler Pro. Take the pain out of volunteer scheduling with powerful, easy-to-use software designed especially for scheduling liturgical ministries. Get started with a free trial at MinistrySchedulerPro.com. Happy Easter! We hope your Holy Week and Easter Sunday celebrations were filled with music, prayer and joy at the Resurrection of our Lord. We know this episode comes to you on Easter Monday, a day where pastoral musicians are hopefully resting after Holy Week. We hope that this episode from the Ministry Monday archives allows you to strike while the iron is hot, whether that is today or later on in the Octave of Easter. One of the best practices I learned from a fellow pastoral minister was to take the time to write down what went well - and what didn't - almost immediately after a momentous liturgy took place. For events like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Triduum, it helped me to refine the following year's preparations and made my work more efficient. If I needed an extra song at the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday, for example, I knew to add another one just in case for next year. Truthfully, I also wrote down what didn't work, and earmarked that for next year. And so we listen into the episode. You'll hear former Ministry Monday host Matt Reichert interview Mike about this topic, with the hopes that it helps you to pause, regroup, and prepare for next year.

On a night time trek through the desert in Tucson, Arizona, Greg, Tom Booth, PJ Anderson and Matt Reichert process OCP Music's Composer Collective retreat featuring the music created by fellow participants.

We hear from so many of you in the NPM national office about the things you need most in your ministry. One of the most popular requests we receive involve the relationship between a pastoral musician, a clergy member and the music itself. For example, we get questions such as: “How do I encourage my priest to sing during the Mass?” and “What can I do to foster the relationship between pastoral music and my priest/deacon?” Well, starting this week we are introducing a multi-episode series focusing on this exact topic. For the next several weeks, Ministry Monday is offering a series on The Singing Priest: how to encourage singing with clergy; providing resources for clergy to develop confidence in their singing for things like the Exsultet at Easter Vigil; and, of course, developing the relationship between us as pastoral musicians, and the clergy that lead and guide us all. We're starting the Singing Priest series with an episode from the Ministry Monday archives. It was the most popular episode of 2018 here on the podcast, and it's a great place to start. This episode was produced and recorded by former Ministry Monday host Matt Reichert. I am pleased to bring you episode 25: The Singing Priest, featuring Ricky Manalo. Enjoy!

We are proud to bring you this interview replay! This episode was originally posted in December, 2018.Happy New Liturgical Year! Advent has just begun, and to kick things off, we’re bringing you one of our favorite seasonal episodes from the past four years. Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Carol Browning about “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,000-year-old chant hymn at the core of this piece. Plus, you’ll hear a bunch of great music in the OYH Playlist. So, please open your hymnal to "Creator of the Stars of Night."

Our next episode from the archives comes from Patti Such. This episode was originally released in May of last year and was produced by former Ministry Monday host Matt Reichert. Patti discusses how to recruit and manage volunteers for your ministry. While we understand that many parishes’ music ministry looks different, we know that new ministries are popping up and need volunteers at this time! For example: is your parish providing hospitality at the doors in the form of a “safety ministry”, assuring all have left their contact information who have attended a Mass? What about a cleaning ministry to clean & disinfect your church space after each liturgy?Even in the midst of a pandemic, volunteers in ministry are certainly still needed, and we’re happy to bring you this episode today.

Here at Ministry Monday we still have NPM conventions on the brain. Our next episode from the archives comes from Dr. Elaine Rendler. Originally rat the twenty-fifth NPM national convention in 2001, Dr. Rendler’s talk breaks open the rite of gathering and the liturgy of the word. This episode was originally hosted by Matt Reichert following the National Convention in Baltimore in 2018, and we’re glad to bring you this throwback episode today.

Our next episode from the archives comes from Msgr Ray East, and is a fan favorite of the podcast. Originally hosted by Matt Reichert, former host of Ministry Monday, we’re glad to bring you this throwback episode today. Please note that this is an archived recording from a previous NPM Convention, and for this reason, the audio quality has some bumps along the way. But Msgr. Ray’s message more than makes up for it, and we hope you’ll enjoy.

For the next four weeks, we in Ministry Monday will be taking a brief hiatus from new episodes, as we will be participating in the 2020 Virtual Convention. But don’t worry! We’ve combed through our archives and have found some great Ministry Monday episodes for you to listen to.Our first episode from the archives comes from Bishop Mark Seitz. Bishop Seitz is the bishop of El Paso, Texas, as well as NPM’s episcopal moderator. This episode originally aired on February 11, 2019. For this reason, Bishop Seitz discusses the still-raw wounds from the crisis facing the Catholic Church in light of the sex abuse scandals which rocked our country in August 2018. However, in a way, his discussion of maintaining unity in good times and bad still resonates today. Originally hosted by Matt Reichert, former host of Ministry Monday, we’re glad to bring you this throwback episode today.

Today we’re turning back the clock and hearing part of a previous episode of Ministry Monday, called “Physical Health and the Pastoral Musician”. Played in February 2019, former Ministry Monday host Matt Reichert interviewed Dr. Paul Schafer, a doctor from the Minneapolis region. We hope it is a good reminder of the things we can do to take care of our bodies, now and once we’re back in our churches for ministry again.

The Dameans and OYH! Darryl Ducote, Matt Reichert, Buddy Caesar, Gary Daigle, Mike Balhoff, Gary Ault, and Zack Stachowski (NPM 2019, Raleigh) The Dameans occupy a special place in the development of contemporary Catholic music following the Second Vatican Council. They made significant contributions to the growing repertoire of liturgical music, they helped shape the ways communities experienced the liturgy, and they influenced the way composers approached writing and recording music for prayer. Co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert were fortunate to spend time with the members of the Dameans at the 2019 National Association of Pastoral Musicians convention in Raleigh, North Carolina. In this conversation, Gary Ault, Gary Daigle, Darryl Ducote, and Mike Balhoff discuss the origins of the group, their writing and recording process, some of their favorite compositions, and more. So, please open your hymnals to the music of the Dameans!Episode linksFor more information about the Dameans and their compositions, visit GIA Publications. You can join the fun and play along with the 2020 OYH Hymn Tune Madness competition. Also, join us for our second “OYH Live!” event featuring a conversation with Dan Schutte. For more details, visit our “Events” page.You can purchase the song recordings you heard in this episode. All are available from GIA Publications: “Path of Life,” “All That We Have,” “We Praise You,” “O Antiphons,” “Evening Offering,” “God is Everlasting Love,” “The Lord is Near,” “Gloryland,” “Love is Forever,” “Rest in His Peace,” and “Song of Thanksgiving.”You can purchase a recording of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” from iTunes.Don't forget to "subscribe" so you'll never miss an episode! All content of this podcast is property of Look Up Here Productions or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. For information about the podcast and its use, please contact us.

This month we’re celebrating the shortest month of the year- even with Leap Year- by having shorter, bite-sized episodes focusing on different topics. This week we’re easing into the month’s topics by digging into our Ministry Monday archives. Back in the fall when I took over the podcast, I had the chance to interview former Ministry Monday host Matt Reichert.

We continue our Advent series of self-care by hearkening back to an episode from last Advent. To kick us off, we are beginning with Andre Heywood. An exceptional choral conductor and in-demand clinician, Andre will share with us his tips for choral vocal health during this time when extra singing meets “cold and flu season.” We’ll also hear an original Advent reflection from Luke Rosen in the form of a Ministry Moment. You’ll hear my colleague and former host of Ministry Monday, Matt Reichert, leading the interview from our 2018 Ministry Monday archives.

Many composers have a “sound,” a certain combination of style and musical influences that are unique to them. Paul Tate’s “sound” is a combination of the many influences that have shaped his musical life: liturgical music, musical theater, pop music, and more. Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Paul about his setting of Psalm 137: “By the Waters of Babylon” and dig into the Paul Tate “sound.” They’ll speak about composition, text painting, writing piano accompaniment, and more!So, please open your hymnal to "By the Waters of Babylon"!

It’s another OYH composer “repeat!” Last time, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert spoke with David Haas about his song, “You Are Mine,” his most-requested liturgical composition. Now they speak with him about his first published liturgical song, “We Have Been Told.” You’ll also hear about the beginnings of David’s collaboration with Marty Haugen and Fr. Michael Joncas, the compositional challenges and opportunities presented by the Gospel of John, and a surprise story about one of his most-beloved Psalm settings.So, please open your hymnal to "We Have Been Told"!

It’s our first audio “yearbook”! In this episode, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert bring you musical highlights from the 2019 One Call Institute. One Call exists to help support, empower, and engage young pastoral musicians and their advocates. This year, participants gathered from across the country to learn, pray, and make music together. Most importantly, the participants were sent out to continue using their skills and talents in their home communities. Today’s episode explores a selection of the music used by OCI participants during prayer, the end-of-week concert, and final Mass.So, please open your hymnals!

It’s the Season 3 premier! Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert are joined by composer Tom Booth to talk about his song, “I Will Choose Christ.” There is a lot packed into this episode! Conversion, encounter, vocation, evangelization, and the craziest recording story we’ve heard so far (teaser: Paul McCartney). You’ll also hear the first every OYH Playlist debut, as Tom shares one of the first songs he ever wrote, back when he was 17, never before recorded or published.So, please open your hymnal to "I Will Choose Christ."

To conclude our Lenten series, we are bringing you our Easter Vigil episode, originally released in March, 2018..Join hosts Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski as they return to composers Gary Daigle and Rory Cooney, this time in conversation together about one of their best-known and best-loved collaborations. You'll hear about "homiletic" texts, the song's intended use for rites of initiation, and the latest OYH liturgical music "bombshell". Our conversation is also joined by Diana Macalintal who shares more information about the RCIA and the concept of "covenant" in the ritual action of the Easter Vigil.So, please open your hymnal to "Covenant Hymn."

Often, the songs that resonate with people the most are those that originate in authentic experience. Join hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Tom Kendzia about his song, “I, the Lord,” a song of comfort with a very personal connection. Tom will also talk about the evolution of contemporary Catholic music, give a glimpse into the recording process, explore the role of the producer, and more!So, please open your hymnal to "I, the Lord."

This is a special re-release of our original episode from March, 2018. It has been expanded to include the OYH Playlist feature, and more!Join us as OYH ventures "across the pond"! In this interview recorded in July 2017, Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski spoke with composer Paul Inwood about one of his best-loved compositions and, in the process, learned a little bit about the trajectory of post-Vatican II music in the United Kingdom. In addition to earning extra frequent listener miles, this week's episode features another music theory lesson from Prof. Stachowski (and he busts out his guitar, back by popular demand).So, please open your hymnal to "Center of My Life."

Our Lenten journey continues with powerful personal witness from composer Ken Canedo. Join OYH hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Ken about his own return to the Church and how it led to the composition of one of his most beloved songs. They’ll also speak about Ken’s work chronicling the history of contemporary Catholic liturgical music, and Ken shares his experience as a person with hearing impairment. You won’t want to miss it!So, please open your hymnal to "Fly Like a Bird."

To mark the season of Lent, we are releasing one episode each week. This week, we are re-releasing one of our very first interviews.First published in 1991, "You Are Mine" is one of the most popular contemporary liturgical songs used in the Church today. It consistently appears at the top of "favorite liturgical song" lists and surveys and is heard in parishes around the world. In this episode, composer David Haas speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert to break open the song, sharing the origins and intentions behind the piece. Topics discussed include the emotional connections to liturgical music, singing text set in the voice of God, and what it means to "let a song go" when it has found a life of its own. David is joined by friend and composer Kate Cuddy. If you feel a connection to this beautiful piece, it will be deepened after you listen to this episode.So, please open your hymnal to "You Are Mine."

It’s our Lenten kick-off episode! To commemorate the start of the season, we are re-releasing our conversation with Alan Hommerding from February, 2017. You’ll hear the same great interview, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment.Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they chat with composer and text-writer Alan Hommerding. They discuss the way metrical hymns works, the "evaporating pool" of hymn tunes in American parishes, and the need for a moratorium on the tune BEACH SPRING (no, not really). Whether you know a lot about hymns, are new to hymns, or think you don't like hymns (you're wrong, by the way), you'll learn something new in this episode.So, please open your hymnal to "From Ashes to the Living Font."

We’re focusing on the rich heritage of the Black sacred music tradition, and we’re blessed to be joined by two important voices: Leon Roberts (recorded in a presentation from 1985), and Lynne Gray. Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert for an exploration of the treasury of hymns, spirituals, and gospel songs. You’ll hear lots of standard and familiar music, and you’ll also hear selections from several contemporary composers.So, please open your hymnals!

We are kicking off a new year with our second conversation with Dan Schutte! In this episode, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Dan about his song, “City of God.” They talk about its origins as an Advent song, the musical structure of the piece, the importance of the St. Louis Jesuits in forming a generation of guitar players, and more.So, please open your hymnal to "City of God."

Advent is going fast, but it’s not over yet! Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Carol Browning about “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Bob Moore stops by to talk about Carol’s music, and Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, gives some historical background to the 1,000-year-old chant hymn at the core of this piece. Plus, you’ll hear a bunch of great music in the OYH Playlist.So, please open your hymnal to "Creator of the Stars of Night."

Did you know that 2018 is the 200th birthday of the song “Silent Night?” To celebrate both this important anniversary and the start of the Advent season, we are re-releasing our interview with Dan Kantor about his song, “Night of Silence.” You’ll hear the same great interview from 2017, but with added features like the OYH Playlist segment.Dan Kantor's song, "Night of Silence," has been sung and celebrated in churches and concert halls around the world. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Dan about writing vivid text, creating harmonic structure, and the importance of celebrating Advent. We also learn new words like "Quod Libet," Matt gets Zack to both play his guitar and sing for our listeners, Rob Strusinski shares his memories of this song’s origins, and we explore the importance of Advent with a reflection written by Rachel Held Evans.So, please open your hymnal to "Night of Silence."

You likely knew that composer Steve Angrisano is very talented musician and speaker. But, did you also know that he’s a great foot washer? It’s just one of the many things we discussed when we discussed his setting of Psalm 63, “My Soul is Thirsting.” Join co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with Steve about songwriting, contemporary music, family ministry, mentorship, and what the Church gets wrong about young people. We’ll also get a little closer to answering the question that’s been on all of our minds: just how big of a nerd was Zack in high school? It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss!So, please open your hymnal to "My Soul is Thirsting."

Open Your Hymnal is making its debut on Catholic radio tomorrow (September 1st)! To celebrate, we are releasing a re-mastered version of our very first podcast episode, "On Eagle's Wings," with composer Fr. Michael Joncas. The re-release includes the addition of our newest feature, the Open Your Hymnal Playlist, and more. Please enjoy this episode, originally released in May 2017![From the original episode posting]: The song "On Eagle's Wings" is everywhere: hymnals, YouTube, funerals and memorial services, and even PBS television specials. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview the song's composer, Fr. Michael Joncas, to learn more about the story of the song, the writing and publication process, and the song's legacy. There is even a surprise revelation about the connection between this beloved piece and Stephen Sondheim, and you don't want to miss it.So, please open your hymnal to "On Eagle's Wings".

It's been a busy summer for Open Your Hymnal - conferences, travel, new interviews, new partnerships. Now, co-hosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert return from their summer break to a conversation with composer Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP, about his song "Many and Great." They discuss musical style, cultural idioms, compositional influence, cultural identity, and more! They also introduce a new segment - the "Open Your Hymnal Playlist" - featuring songs Zack and Matt picked that relate to one of the conversation threads from the episode.So, please open your hymnal to "Many and Great."

There is a lot to unpack in our Season 2 premier: the role and place of contemporary music, style wars, the synthesis of faith-culture-life, how we must do a better job of sending instead of just gathering, and more. Even Hootie & the Blowfish make an appearance! Listen as Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with composer John Angotti about one of his best-loved songs, "I Send You Out." They'll touch on all of the topics already mentioned, and offer insights into the pastoral, musical, and liturgical realities of being music missionaries, not just music ministers. In doing so, John shares about his creation of the song, his own journey and vocation as a music minister, and the critical work of ministry.So, please open your hymnal to "I Send You Out."

In just a few short days, we’ll be launching our second season of new episodes and interviews. Just in time for graduation and commencement season, we’ll start with our conversation with composer John Angotti about his song, “I Send You Out.” We’ll also be welcoming Carol Browning, Fr. Ricky Manalo, our second conversation with David Haas, and many more.Before we do, we want to share with you this special feature. A few weeks ago, co-host Matt Reichert was able to spend time chatting with Fr. James Martin for the other podcast he hosts, “Ministry Monday.” In that episode, they discussed a host of topics including evangelization, maintaining a healthy balance, and navigating culture wars. They had a great conversation, and not all of it fit into the episode. So, we saved a few nuggets for you.Today, you’ll hear the excerpts of that conversation that deal with liturgical music. Fr. Jim will share a little about his experience with liturgical music and some of his favorite songs. You can hear the rest of this conversation at ministrymonday.org.So, we hope you enjoy this excerpt. If you haven’t yet, make sure you are subscribed to Open Your Hymnal so you never miss an episode. Get ready for Season Two!

As we in the United States look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, we in the Church are celebrating “Mother’s Month.” The custom of honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May dates back as early as the Thirteenth Century, with special prayers, devotions, celebrations, and – of course – special music.Today, in place of our customary interview, we are bringing you an audio program from the Open Your Hymnal podcast. Open Your Hymnal, cohosted by Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert, is a special project aimed at breaking open the best-loved and most-common liturgical music in the Catholic repertoire. Each episode explores one song and features conversation with the composer and, sometimes, special guests.To commemorate this Marian month, we are pleased to present today our interview with composer Carey Landry about his song “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman.” Originally released in the 1970s, this song has been a staple of parishes around the world. Yet, though you may know the song well, there are new corners to explore and messages to consider.

We end our first season the way it began, with a setting of a Psalm text! Join cohosts Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they speak with composer Christopher Walker about his setting of Psalm 27. They discuss the sometimes not-so-helpful structure of responsorial Psalms, the clash of popular music culture and liturgical music culture regarding composer celebrity status, the importance of humility, and more. So, please open your hymnal to "The Lord is My Light."

It's our OYH Easter Vigil episode! Much like the vigil, this episode is longer and packed full of lots of beautiful moments. Join hosts Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski as they return to composers Gary Daigle and Rory Cooney, this time in conversation together about one of their best-known and best-loved collaborations. You'll hear about "homiletic" texts, the song's intended use for rites of initiation, and the latest OYH musical "bombshell"! Our conversation is also joined by Diana Macalintal who shares more information about the RCIA and the concept of "covenant" in the ritual action of the Easter Vigil.  So, please open your hymnal to "Covenant Hymn."

Brace yourself for a double whammy: our first Lenten episode and our first hymnody conversation! Join Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert as they chat with composer and text-writer Alan Hommerding. They discuss the way metrical hymnody works, the "evaporating pool" of hymn tunes in American parishes, and the need for a moratorium on the tune BEACH SPRING (no, not really). Whether you know a lot about hymns, are new to hymns, or think you don't like hymns (you're wrong, by the way), you'll learn something new in this episode. So, please open your hymnal to "From Ashes to the Living Font."

Rory Cooney is a not only a gifted composer, he is also a prophetic writer of texts. In this interview, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert speak with Rory about the background of one of his best-loved pieces, "Canticle of the Turning," to learn more about his theological and catechetical treatment of the Magnificat text. They also discuss the use of secular Irish folk melody with special guest, Ian Callanan, who joins the conversation from Ireland.  So, please open your hymnal to "Canticle of the Turning."

Dan Kantor's song, "Night of Silence," has been sung and celebrated in churches and concert halls around the world. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Dan about writing vivid text, creating harmonic structure, and the importance of celebrating Advent. We also learn new words like "Quod Libet," and Matt gets Zack to both play his guitar and sing for our listeners. Special guest appearances made by Rob Strusinski and Rachel Held Evans. So, please open your hymnal to "Night of Silence."

Fr. Francis Patrick (Fran) O'Brien is the guest for our Thanksgiving episode, and everyone is invited! Fran shares with Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski his approach to text and melody, his musical influences, and what it's like to be both a liturgical composer and a parish pastor. Plus, there are lots of cameo appearances from Lucien Deiss, Alexander Peloquin, Stephen Sondheim, the cast of Hamilton, and (if you wait for it) Doc Severinsen. We'll need to get a bigger table! So, please open your hymnal to "You Are All We Have."

aime Cortez has dedicated a significant portion of his ministry to promoting Hispanic liturgies and bringing cultures together. In this conversation with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert, Jaime shares the story of the beginnings of his working relationship with Bob Hurd, provides insight into composing bilingual music, and shares some of the intricacies of incorporating musical idioms into his liturgical compositions. This is another "must listen" conversation for anyone involved in a multi-cultural faith community. So, please open your hymnal to "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo."

Jesse Manibusan wears many titles: "Ambassador of Joy," "Catholic Ninja," "Itinerant Witness," and more. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert chat with Jesse about his journey to liturgical music, his work with - and advocacy for - young people in the Church, his experience with depression, and how he finds ways to radiate joy. If you work in ministry or work with young people, this is a conversation you will not want to miss. So, please open your hymnal to "Open My Eyes."

Tony Alonso is one of the most prominent voices in contemporary liturgical music. In this conversation, Matt Reichert and Zack Stachowski discuss with him the beginnings of his career, how he has developed his own compositional voice, the lessons he's learned, and the critical role of mentorship.  So, please open your hymnal to "What You Have Done for Me."

There are numerous Marian hymns and songs in each Catholic hymnal. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert discuss one of the best-loved and most-cherished, "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman." In conversation with the song's composer, Carey Landry, Zack and Matt discuss the imagery used to describe Mary, the surprising lack of congregational songs that incorporate the "Hail Mary" text, and the catechetical impact of Carey's music. Plus, Carey shares (and sings!) about his important ministry as a hospital chaplain. So, please open your hymnal to "Hail Mary: Gentle Woman."

The need for bilingual liturgical music - and, in some places, trilingual or quadrilingual music - is widespread in the United States. In this episode, Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert interview composer Bob Hurd about his song "Pan de Vida," one of the earliest and best-loved examples of purpose-built bilingual liturgical music. Bob discusses what influences his music, how he relies on scripture for his texts, and the best ways we can bring unity to a world and a Church that is increasingly divided. This is a great conversation for anyone who ministers in a multi-cultural setting.  So, please open your hymnal to "Pan de Vida."

First published in 1991, "You Are Mine" is one of the most popular contemporary liturgical songs used in the Church today.  It consistently appears at the top of "favorite liturgical song" lists and surveys and is heard in parishes around the world. In this episode, composer David Haas speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert to break open the song, sharing the origins and intentions behind the piece.  Topics discussed include the emotional connections to liturgical music, singing text set in the voice of God, and what it means to "let a song go" when it has found a life of its own. David is joined by friend and composer Kate Cuddy. If you have found a connection to this beautiful piece, it will be deepened after you listen to this episode. So, please open your hymnal to "You Are Mine."

The text of the traditional "Irish blessing" is well-known and well-loved by generations of Christians from across the cultural divide. In this episode, composer Lori True speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert about her setting of the text in her song "May the Road Rise to Meet You." Lori shares her experience crafting melody, setting blessings, and serving the Church as a female composer of liturgical music. Plus, there is a cameo appearance by Queen Elizabeth II!

To say that some people have strong feelings about the song "All Are Welcome" may be an understatement. While it has detractors it is also beloved by many, and when it is used in parishes the congregation sings. In this episode, composer Marty Haugen speaks with Zack Stachowski and Matt Reichert about "All Are Welcome" and, in doing so, shares his approach to composition, his philosophy of congregational singing, and his response to those who feel that liturgical songs are becoming too "political." Plus, listeners hear about Marty's original plans for the melody, and a unique congregation in San Francisco where the music ministry utilizes no instrumentation.