Marty Haugen has joined with composer colleagues Fr. Michael Joncas and Tony Alonso to produce a new collection of 13 songs for worship. The music reflects a wide diversity of musical forms and styles, from the classical “Lauda Sion” (Joncas) to the beautiful “In the Arms of God” (Alonso) to the call-and-response “God Is Still Speaking” (Haugen). Psalm settings, communion songs, and songs for specific feasts (e.g., Ash Wednesday, Easter Vigil) with texts by Susan Briehl, Mary Louise Bringle, Delores Dufner OSB, John Fennelly, Alan Hommerding, and James Quinn SJ ensure that there is music here to enhance any community repertoire.

In this collection you'll find a marvelous setting of the twenty-third Psalm for choir and assembly; a fine choral anthem, "Come Let Us Sing;" a retrospective carol, "Within Our Hearts Be Born;" and the title song—it sings itself! First published in 1990, the Mass for John Carroll was an instant success. Utilizing both English and Latin texts, this Mass provides satisfying yet challenging parts for choir with melodic and singable parts for assembly.

At long last, GIA proudly releases Michael Joncas’s first collection in over 8 years. Containing themes of divine providence, rescue, and sustenance, this recording comes from the heart of Joncas’s own suffering due to a bout with Guillain-Barre syndrome. After his recovery, Joncas experienced a new surge of musical creativity that gave birth to In the Sight of the Angels. The lush sounds of choral singing and the elaborate instrumentation of brass, harp, flute, organ, and other instruments makes In the Sight of the Angels a beautiful recording replete with psalm settings, including “Drink in the Richness of God,” “In the Sight of the Angels,” and “Till the End of My Days.” Also present are settings of the three New Testament Lukan infancy canticles—the “Canticle of Zechariah,” the “Canticle of Mary,” and the “Canticle of Simeon.” But, perhaps most appropriate in light of Joncas’s recent experiences are the songs delineating the work of the Holy Spirit, God’s breath (ruach): “All Who Are Led by the Spirit,” “Lord, Send Out Your Spirit,” and “Veni, Sancte Spiritus.” This tranquil recording has a pastoral feel. It is tender and depicts a merciful God who gives us hope in light of suffering. Joncas’s newfound wisdom resonates through this music. It is his sincere wish that those who sing it, play it, and/or hear it will grow closer to God.

Michael Joncas's newest collection, Deep and Lasting Peace, is as rich as it is varied. Here you'll find festive settings of great hymns scored for congregations, choir, brass, and organ, incorporating Joncas's original texts. Simple settings of the three gospel canticles found in Luke utilize a "psalm tune," while another setting of the Maginificat is ideal for festive occasions. Responding to frequent requests, Joncas has revised the Gloria from his Psallite Mass, casting it in a "festive" setting using a refrain format augmented by brass as well as in a "ferial" setting for everyday Sunday use with two woodwinds and guitar. Not to be missed is the title track "Deep and Lasting Peace," which is sure to enter mainstream congregational Communion repertoire.

Recorded in 1988 and still considered one of the most beautiful mass settings ever written, Michael Joncas's No Greater Love offers cathedral-style music that invites congregational participation. Multiple arrangements allow for flexibility in format and variety of instrumentation. Perfectly suited for Lenten liturgies, No Greater Love uses the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II, which has as its theme the mystery of reconciliation. The setting includes the beloved song "No Greater Love," which has become a popular "classic" and is used regularly at Catholic Masses year after year.

As one of the most respected liturgical composers of our time, Michael Joncas has earned his reputation by writing music for the Church that proclaims the Scriptures in song, fits the ritual moment, and speaks to the heart. This new collection will no doubt reaffirm his fine reputation and reestablish once again his valuable contribution to the art of pastoral music making. The rich, lyrical Joncas style is evident in the title song, "As the Deer," a beautiful setting of Psalm 42 usable as a responsorial or processional, scored for harp, winds, and strings. "Exultate Justi," "Cantate Domino," and "Wisdom Is Calling" are grand processionals, scored for brass and organ. There's also a lovely setting of the Francis Patrick Sullivan text "A Shepherd" for solo voice, and Joncas's ever-popular "Spirit of God within Me," with text by Timothy Dudley-Smith, is recorded with a full complement of instruments. Joncas's scholarly research and personal love of the Liturgy of the Hours has led him to compose a new setting of evening prayer entitled "St. Francis Evening Prayer." Composed in a classical style, this new and accessible setting should be explored by any community considering the Liturgy of the Hours.

Here, you'll find psalms and songs for the sacraments and rites of the Church which beautifully capture the spirit of the Christian journey. Two titles, "I Will Praise the Lord" and "Guiding Me," were composed for GIA's Hymnal for Catholic Students and are perfect for children as well as adults. "A Nuptial Blessing" is the answer for weddings, "Take and Eat" is perfect for communion, and "You Have Searched Me" is simply exquisite. The remaining titles make this an indispensable resource spanning a wide range of uses.