The Commons from Spirit & Song

In this episode of The Commons, Catholic artist Ken Canedo presents his song, "Prayer of St. Augustine." Performed by vocalist Dominic Smith, the song is based on the words of St. Augustine in Book 10 of his spiritual autobiography, Confessions. Ken discusses Augustine's amazing life and how it inspired the message of his song: that it is never too late to turn back to God, no matter how far we may feel from him. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Thomas Muglia performs and discusses his song, "Let My Tongue Be Silenced." Inspired by Psalm 137 and the redemptive story of the prodigal son, the song is a prayer that Thomas returns to again and again. It can serve as a reminder that we have never strayed so far that God's mercy cannot reach us. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, popular Catholic artist Chris Muglia performs his song, "You Are Welcome Here." Chris then discusses how he was inspired to write the song after hearing a story about refugees and immigrants on the radio. The story made him think about how important hospitality is and how Christ can be our guide and example in creating welcoming communities. He recommends "You Are Welcome Here" as a song for Communion or for gathering. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Thomas Muglia performs and discusses his song, "Let Me Decrease." Thomas explains that he was inspired to write this song after he felt called to share his faith despite his fears. He realized that he had to trust in God rather than in his own abilities - that he wanted to decrease so God could increase. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Sarah Hart performs and discusses her song for Easter, "Our New Day." Sarah wrote "Our New Day" in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic when people were unable to gather in churches on Easter. She was reminded of the Apostles, similarly isolated and afraid in the upper room, longing for the new day which began with the Resurrection. The uptempo song beautifully expresses the joy that Peter felt when he ran from that upper room to the risen Christ, the joy that we anticipate and participate in every year at Easter. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Thomas Muglia performs and discusses his song "You're Not Done." Thomas wrote this at the height of the pandemic when he was struggling with doubt and discouragement. The song came out of a time of prayer when he realized that the hope we have in Christ means we can still experience joy through these difficult times - God is not finished with us./p> The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Ken Canedo talks with Chris Muglia about the importance of Lent and the lenten themes in his song "Lead Us to the Cross." Chris then performs the song. In this powerful ballad, Chris invites us to listen in the silence of our hearts as the Spirit leads us to the Cross. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Casey McKinley performs and discusses his song "When Jesus Comes to Jordan's Streams," with lyrics written by Michael Joncas. The song is based on the Lectionary readings for the Baptism of the Lord and is ideal to use in the liturgy for that day. Casey's contemporary arrangement has a traditional feel which makes the song appropriate for use in a variety of Mass styles. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Steve Angrisano performs and discusses his song based on hymn text by James Quinn, "Ave Maria (Mary Sing with Joyful Heart)." Steve explains how the five verses of James Quinn's hymn express the five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the finding of Jesus in the Temple. Steve reflects on the value of these beautiful prayers we are given by the Church -- that give us words to hold onto when we are struggling to find the right words to pray -- and offers suggestions for how to use this prayerful song in your music ministry. The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Sarah Hart performs and discusses her song based on the beatitudes, "Blessed Are You." She reflects on Jesus' teaching which flips all of our expectations -- that we are the most blessed when our circumstances are at their worst. It is a message of hope for those who are poor, hungry for more and struggling. Sarah concludes by acknowledging the timeliness of this message during the struggles and heartaches of the coronavirus pandemic: "We are so blessed -- still and even in this, in everything -- we are so blessed." The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Thomas Muglia performs and discusses his song "Stay with Me, Lord," based on the prayer by Padre Pio. Thomas explains that Padre Pio, also known as St. Pio of Pietrelcina, would pray this prayer after receiving the Eucharist. He resonates with both the desire to stay in a place of closeness with God and with the line "You know how easily I'll abandon you." Thomas recognizes the same pattern of clinging to God and then falling away in his own life and concludes, "the only thing we can truly rely on is the grace of God -- not our own strength." The Commons is a series of unplugged interviews with the top Catholic recording artists. These are candid interviews and intimate performances by the top contemporary Catholic musicians.

In this episode of The Commons, Tom Booth reflects on his and Sarah Hart's song, "The Feast Meant for Everyone," after a moving performance by Sarah and PJ Anderson. Tom explains that he and Sarah worked together to write a song that would emphasize how the Eucharist is meant for every one of us, no matter our station. Through his personal stories, Tom calls us all to reflect on how the Eucharist feeds us: "As we participate with grace, transformation happens." In this video, Josh Blakesley provides an in-depth tutorial for the chord stylings and fingerpicking techniques used in his song "Beautiful Is Your Love."

O God of Every Longing" is a reminder of God's comfort and faithfulness through these difficult times. Sarah Hart was inspired to write this gentle song of hope after a conversation with her parents during the coronavirus pandemic. Distraught that she could not be with those she loved and missed so much, Sarah poured out her feelings of longing and trust in God's presence and mercy into this song. She ends with an appeal to the God who knows everything we suffer, "O God of every longing, fill us with the hope of Christ. In this video, Josh Blakesley provides an in-depth tutorial for the chord stylings and fingerpicking techniques used in his song "Beautiful Is Your Love."

Steve Angrisano and Tom Booth share a live, informal performance of their gentle Eucharistic hymn, "I Am the Bread of Life," based on the compassionate words of Jesus: I am the Bread of Life.

Co-written with Sarah Hart and Tom Booth, Greg Walton's "Holy Spirit, Come" is a wonderful meditation for Pentecost and for confirmation celebrations. The song incorporates two different prayers in a petition for God's spirit to fill the hearts of his faithful: the Veni Sancti Spiritus and St. Augustine's prayer to the Holy Spirit. In this video, Josh Blakesley provides an in-depth tutorial for the chord stylings and fingerpicking techniques used in his song "Beautiful Is Your Love."

In a year fraught with anxiety, where do we find peace? Our faith brings us comfort, so we ask God for mercy, peace, and healing -- for ourselves, yes, but for our neighbor too. Sarah Hart's "Petition" is a song that lifts up in prayer many of those for whom we have found new gratitude: caregivers, health workers, teachers, and for those most in need of our prayer: patients in hospitals, struggling students, the hungry, the lonely. As we strive to understand that which those around us endure, we are grateful for the gift they give us. Sing or listen to this song in prayer groups and personal devotions. O Lord, have mercy on us all,

Based on Revelation 21, Ken Canedo's anthemic song "See, I Make All Things New" transforms the Biblical author's visions of a new heaven and new earth into lyrics full of hope and welcome. Especially useful throughout the Easter season and for the Order of Christian Funerals. Come, let us go to a bright and holy city,

This buoyant and joyful Easter song hearkens back to Bob Hurd's early folk style, yet bears the same hallmarks of all Bob's work, including its foundation in scripture and its theological depth. Useful throughout the Easter season, especially as a gathering song or for sending forth, the lyric of "Alleluia! He Is Risen" deftly connects the Resurrection with our baptismal call and the call to community. In this video, Josh Blakesley provides an in-depth tutorial for the chord stylings and fingerpicking techniques used in his song "Beautiful Is Your Love."

The Apostle Paul exhorted the early Christians in Philippi to think about "whatever is true...honorable...just...pure...lovely...gracious." In Hebrews, the author encourages "let us...persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus." Our focus is important! In "With Our Eyes on the Cross," Greg Walton's scripturally-rooted lyrics show how our focus on the sacrifice and call of Christ leads us to love for our neighbor and into unity with each other. Oh, the riches of this life.

Ken Canedo's tuneful setting of Psalm 91, "Be with Me, Lord," became a favorite for young people who in today's world experience challenges their parents never faced. The song helps them realize that even when they are in trouble, God is still with them. Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.