We are happy to announce our new single, "Bring It Back to Soul" - now available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and other sources. Check out this song and our other releases on iTunes:

Streets of Rome Contemporary Catholic/Christian Rock
© 2004, Edward Patrick Mooney
Released: 2014
More songs at https://music.apple.com/us/artist/streets-of-rome/675866674

Nick Alexander writes: I was really taken aback when I heard this song for the first time. It is truly a remarkable achievement by Curtis Stephan, Sarah Hart and Marc Byrd. It's simple, but it's very deep and profound. I cannot endorse this song enough. (Now, only if the spiritandsong gurus provide a way for this MP3 to be made available for purchase...). Addendum by R.Schletty, 2/11/14: Purchase MP3 and sheet music at one of these sources: http://www.spiritandsong.com/search?query=take+up+our+cross http://www.ocp.org/compositions/81117#tab:sheetmusic http://www.amazon.com/Take-Up-Our-Cross/dp/B008PJ3HBW H/T: T.C. Long

CATHOLIC UNDERGROUND (Chicago) is held on the first Thursday of (nearly) every month. It is hosted by the JP2 Newman Center at University of Illinois Chicago, right in the heart of downtown Chicago. It started in September 2008and runs during the academic school year at UIC. It is produced by Spirit Juice Studios Catholic Underground was originally started by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and was a direct response to a call that began with Pope John Paul II, and is continued by Pope Benedict XVI. Pope John Paul II said that because the Gospel lives in conversation with culture, we must be fearless in crossing the cultural threshold of the communication and information revolution now taking place. Each Catholic Underground consists of three parts: PART 1 - Eucharistic adoration, which provides a window for each person to personally encounter Jesus Christ. PART 2 – The showcasing of Catholic artists which includes music, poetry, visual art dancers, film, etc. Here we experience the “new evangelization”. PART 3 - Food and Drinks are provided for fellowship with each other. Here is a video of the band Last Day at Catholic Underground.
H/T: Last Day

A guest post from Dr. Kevin Vost, author of Fit For Eternal Life: A Christian Approach for Working Out, Eating, Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul. (Sophia, 2007).

I was asked for an “ideal workout play list” so voila, here’s mine:

1. Irish Blessing by The Priests from the album The Priests
2. Benedictus by The Priests from the album The Priests
3. Salad Bowl by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
4. Nicene Creed by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
5. Pie Jesu by The Priests from the album The Priests
6. Hip to Be Square by Huey Lewis & The News from the album Greatest Hits: Huey Lewis & The News
7. Cry of the Celts by Ronan Hardiman from the album Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
8. Ave Maria by Kitty Cleveland from the album Sacred Arias
9. I Surrender by Sharmane from the album I Surrender Single
10. Mass No.1 in D Minor for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra: 1. Kyrie by Bernarda Fink, Christoph Prégardien, John Eliot Gardiner, Luba Orgonasova, Monteverdi Choir & Wiener Philharmoniker from the album Bruckner: Mass No. 1 in D Minor & Motets

This list should be good for at least two cardio or strength workouts. The Priests mellow tunes will gently warm you up and then boom, here come Nick’s fast-paced pieces (and Salad Bowl will help you eat right when you’re done). Let the heart rate settle down a bit with the reverent Pie Jesu, and then pump it up again with Hip to be Square. (Sure this one’s secular, but it has a good beat and Huey sings about getting in shape, to boot.) Speaking of boots (or at least dancing shoes), The Cry of the Celts from Lord of the Dance is a high-energy tune for the highest intensity portion of your aerobic session (or strength training set.) Proceed to cool down with Kitty Cleveland’s beautiful Ave Maria, until you are ready to surrender with Sharmane Adams’s I Surrender. Anton Bruckner was a devout Catholic composer of the 19th century and his Mass #1 is hauntingly beautiful and over a half hour long. Listen to it some day when you’re out taking a long walk. May God bless you as you psyche up your minds, pump up your muscles, lift up your hearts (and give your ears a good workout in the process). Kevin Vost, Psy.D.

Nick Alexander here... The King's Men is a great ministry serving the needs of Catholic men. I will be interviewed on their radio show this coming Friday. To support their ministry, I have compiled my personal favorite Catholic songs that call me, as a man, to follow God more ardently as a father, a husband, and a disciple. May these songs also bless you.

1. Despite by Greg Walton from the album I Won't Back Down
2. Change Me by Tom Booth from the album Change Me
3. Just Like You by Matt Maher from the album The End and the Beginning
4. In You by Paul Harrigan from the album Thank You 2
5. Press On by Bob Filoramo from the album My Beacon of Hope
6. Acclamation by Mike Harrison & Greg Walton from the album Spirit of Fire
7. Stand On the Rooftop by Chris Muglia from the album Innocence
8. No More Fear by Aaron Thompson from the album Mystical Radical God
9. Have No Anxiety by Ed Bolduc from the album Word for Word
10. This Time of Forty Days by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated

ETA: The episode was a success. The archive for the interview is available on Holy Spirit Radio's Archive Page.

Nick Alexander here... Every year at this time, special focus is given for January 22, for the national March For Life. This year, the need for support is especially vital, since we are on the cusp of a new historical administration, one which promises a quick passing of the Freedom of Choice Act. To align myself in solidarity with the Pro-Life movement, I have picked ten songs that I consider to contain very powerful sentiments towards the reality of the sanctity of life, in all forms. Please pass these songs along. Thanks!

1. Precious Unborn Child by Margo B. Smith from the album Sending Up a Prayer
2. Whispers from Heaven by Donna Lee from the album Whispers from Heaven
3. Malediction by Atomic Opera from the album Gospel Cola
4. Rock a Bye Bye by Extreme from the album Extreme
5. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Matt Redman from the album Beautiful News
6. It's Not the Time by Kendall Payne from the album Jordan's Sister
7. My Sweet Child by Sally Bolderson from the album Humble Beginnings
8. All My Life by Noel Paul Stookey from the album In Love Beyond Our Lives
9. What Was I Supposed to Be? by Acappella from the album Better Than Life
10. Gianna Molla (Mother's Song) by Fr. Kent O'Connor from the album Saints

Nick Alexander here... This is the Year of St. Paul, and to honor this special time, we are focusing on songs that use the texts of his writings as a basis for songs. This month, we are focusing on St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. As you can see, we have a pretty exhaustive list. This list encompasses all genres, from contemporary Christian, to praise and worship, to liturgical favorites. All of these songs use Philippians as a basis of its text. Enjoy, and be edified.

1. Advent: Introitus Zum Dritten Adventssonntag: Gaudete In Domino Semper by Capella Gregoriana from the album Mystic Gregorian Christmas (Phil 4:4)
2. At the Name of Jesus by Ed Bolduc from the album The Face of God (Phil 2:10-11)
3. At the Name of Jesus (St. Ann Catholic Church Folk Group) by St. Ann Catholic Church Folk Group from the album God In Music City: The Sounds of Religion In Nashville, Tennessee (Phil 2:10-11)
4. Be Anxious for Nothing by Wes Michael from the album Words of Life (Phil 4:6-8)
5. Canticle Philippians by John Michael Talbot from the album Chant from the Hermitage (Phil 2:1-3)
6. Do Not Be Anxious by Word Of God Speak from the album Hope (Phil 4:6-7)
7. Dog 2 God by Wayne Pascall from the album Acappella Scriptures 2 (Phil 3:2)
8. He Who Began a Good Work In You by Renee Bondi from the album Strength for the Journey (Phil 1:6)
9. I Can Do All Things by Renee Bondi from the album Let It Rain (Phil 4:13)
10. I Can Do All Things by Restine Jackson from the album Restine Jackson Live At Living Waters (Phil 4:13)
11. Jehovah-Jireh (Album Version) by Don Moen from the album Give Thanks (Phil 4:19)
12. Jesus Christ Is Lord by Ken Canedo from the album Doxology (Phil 2:5-11)
13. Let Us Have the Mind of Christ by Marty Haugen from the album Only You, O God: Simple Songs for Worship (Phil 2)
14. The Love of the Lord by Michael Joncas from the album God of Life and of the Living (Phil 3:7-9)
15. May the Peace of God by Margaret Becker, Kristyn Getty & Joanne Hogg from the album New Irish Hymns 4 - Hymns for the Life of the Church (Phil 4:7)
16. My God Shall Supply by Word Of God Speak from the album Shelter (Phil 4:19)
17. Only This I Want by Jenny Pixler & Tú-Lan from the album Chon Ngài, Vol. 1 (Phil 3:8)
18. Only This I Want by Who Do You Say I Am from the album Consecrated (Phil 3:8)
19. Peace That Passes Understanding by Wayne Watson from the album How Time Flies (Phil 4:7)
20. Philippians 2 (St. Francis Evening Prayer) by Michael Joncas & The Cathedral Singers from the album As the Deer (Phil 2:5-11)
21. Philippians Canticle by John Michael Talbot from the album Cave of the Heart (Phil 2:1-3)
22. Philippians Canticle by John Michael Talbot from the album Come to the Quiet (Phil 2:1-3)
23. Philippians Canticle (Lenten Chant) by Richard Proulx & The Cathedral Singers from the album More Sublime Chant: The Art of Gregorian, Ambrosian, Gallican, and Sarum Chant (Phil 2:5-11)
24. Press On by Bob Filoramo from the album My Beacon of Hope (Phil 3:14)
25. Rejoice In the Lord by St John's Childrens Choir from the album 100 Bible Songs for Kids (Phil 4:4)
26. Rejoice! by Paul Tate from the album Rejoice! (Phil 4:4)
27. The Secret by Seeds Family Worship from the album The Power of Encouragement (Phil 4:12-13)
28. Sunshine and Joy by Lisa Bevill from the album All Because of You (Phil 4)
29. Think About It by Seeds Family Worship from the album The Power of Encouragement (Phil 4:8)
30. To Live Is Christ by Charles Billingsley, Scott Krippayne & Shannon Wexelberg from the album Better Than Life (Phil 1:21)

David Burke writes: This song came to me in a special way, through God, of course, but I was thinking beforehand of all the things that are being said nowadays about the unborn having a voice. An unborn child is still a person and thus has a right to his or her life. We parents do not have the choice to change that. We used our choice when we enabled God to create this child, and that's where our options in that regard stopped and where our responsibilities began. So when I considered unborn children having a voice in their destiny, I envisioned these children speaking out in song and communicating with an angel about life on earth, as well as eternal life with our Almighty Creator. 

A song between unborn children and their guardian angels.  To download the song, sheet music and words for free go to www.wewanttoseetheworld.com

For more information visit www.cogforlife.org

Elizabeth Schmeidler writes... With the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act pending, (which will remove all limitations on abortions) I am sure your hearts have been as heavy-laden as my own. Just weeks ago I was inspired to write and compile the Pro-life video, "My Voice". I believe that this video may very well be the most important work that God has ever accomplished through me. Please take a few minutes of your time to watch it. I think that you will see where God's heart has led my own. All I ask of you is two things: that you pass this video on as far and wide as you possibly can, and to pray that the Holy Spirit prepares the hearts of those who are blinded to receive the message of life that the video proclaims. Our prayers and passion, along with this video, can make a difference in the hearts of the American people and I do believe that we CAN prevent FOCA from being signed, and more still, one day put an end to abortion. May God bless all of you and may He continue to have mercy on all those who have been affected by abortion. Thank you very much for your time and prayers!

Nick Alexander here... It seems a lot of people are talking up The Priests, a new, extraordinary singing group. If you want to know how The Priests got their record contract, be sure to check out Grapevine News.

Nick Alexander here... We are already into our second week of Advent, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception before us, as well as the Solemnity of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And Christmas is merely weeks away. Are you aware that TopCatholicSongs has a number of playlists already available to correspond to your Seasonal needs? And, as is the benefits of these lists, you can immediately link to the iTunes page, where you can listen to the tracks first, and then purchase them--and instantly have them downloaded onto your computer. From there, you can listen freely, or you can upload them onto your own MP3 player, or burn them directly onto a CD. If you like any particular song in the list, you are further free to explore that artist's full output, also on the iTunes page. Or, you can click to any number of direct links on these lists, and have access to a Catholic or independent music retailer, where you can purchase the full CDs (perhaps as a gift?) How do you have access to the Advent Lists? Or the Mary Lists? Or the Christmas lists? Easy. On the bottom of each entry there are a number of Tags. Click on the tag that you would want to listen to (say, Advent), and immediately all the Advent pages will come up. It will be fun just sorting through them all. In the meantime, do you have any favorite psalms/hymns/spiritual songs that are befitting for the season? Feel free to share them... leave a comment below!

Nick Alexander here... This is the Year of St. Paul, and to honor this special time, we are focusing on songs that use the texts of his writings as a basis for songs. This month, we are focusing on St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians. As you can see, we have a pretty exhaustive list. This list encompasses all genres, from contemporary Christian, to praise and worship, to liturgical favorites. All of these songs use Ephesians as a basis of its text. Enjoy, and be edified.

1. Glorious Grace by Michael W. Smith off of the project Michael W. Smith 2 (based on Eph 1:6)
2. Redemptive Glory by Sue Trimble off of the project God's Glory (based on Eph 1)
3. Because of the Lord's Great Love by Carl Tuttle off of the project Send Your Spirit - Touching The Father's Heart, Vol. 14 (based on Eph 2:4)
4. The Grace of God by Donna Lee off of the project The Grace of God (based on Eph 2:8-10)
5. Saved By Grace by Shane Barnard & Shane Everett off of the project Clean (based on Eph 2:8)
6. Just for Me by Sonja G. Whitmore & The High Praise Chorale Ensemble off of the project Praise On My Lips (based on Eph 2:8)
7. He Is Our Peace by Kelly Willard off of the project Worship Moments: The Power of Your Love (based on Eph 2:14)
8. No Longer Strangers by John Michael Talbot & Terry Talbot off of the project No Longer Strangers (based on Eph 2:19)
9. Ephesians 3 Prayer by Dave And Vicki McClellan off of the project As One (based on Eph 3:14-21)
10. How High and How Wide by Sovereign Grace Music off of the project I STAND IN AWE (based on Eph 3:18-19)
11. Bound by Faith Kids off of the project Yellow (based on Eph 4:2)
12. One Faith by Ed Bolduc off of the project Strong In Faith: Contemporary Songs of Faith (based on Eph 4:4-6)
13. One by Wayne Pascall off of the project The Gospel (based on Eph 4:3-6)
14. Ephesians 4:32 by Jody Varga off of the project Because of Love (based on Eph 4:32)
15. I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light by Polly Edmonds Baldridge and Walter G. Edmonds off of the project Christ Is All to Me (based on Eph 5:1)
16. Speaking to Yourselves by Wayne Pascall off of the project Acappella Scriptures (based on Eph 5:19)
17. Stand by Eli off of the project Second Hand Clothing (based on Eph 6:14)
18. His Armor by Will of Titus off of the project Awake My Soul (based on Eph 6:10-18)
19. Put Your Armour On by Ian White off of the project Move That Foot (based on Eph 6:10-18)
20. Armor of God by Shirley Caesar off of the project You Can Make It (based on Eph 6:13-17)

Nick Alexander here... Thanksgiving is upon us. Thanksgiving is that rare national holiday where the entire country slows down, celebrates with family, and gives thanks to God, for His provision and kindness. The following is a playlist of the best Thanksgiving songs from Catholic and contemporary Christian artists. Enjoy, and give thanks today.

1. Hallelujah, My Father by Annie Karto from the album Perfect Sacrifice
   
2. Thanksgiving Prayer by Bobby Fisher from the album If We Dare to Hope
   
3. Thanks by Ceili Rain from the album Erasers On Pencils
   
4. Thank You Lord by Denis Grady from the album Running Too Long
   
5. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise by The Festival Choir and Hosanna Chorus from the album 100 Church Classics
6. With All Our Hearts by Jesse Manibusan from the album Love Never Fails
   
7. Father, We Thank Thee by John Angotti from the album Testify
   
8. Thanks and Praise by John Angotti & Meredith Dean Joesph from the album Strong In Faith: Contemporary Songs of Faith
   
9. Give Thanks to the Lord by John Flynn from the album Cry Out
   
10. Jesus Christ, I Think Upon Your Sacrifice (Once Again) by The Kings Chamber Orchestra from the album String Heaven
11. Thank You, Lord by Margo B. Smith from the album Because You Love Me
    
12. Lead Me Home by Matt Maher from the album Welcome to Life
    
13. Thank You for the Blood by Matt Redman from the album The Father's Song
14. Unconditional Love by Nancy Krebs from the album The Journey
    
15. Now Thank We All Our God by National Philharmonic Orchestra of London & The London Philharmonic Choir from the album Hymns Triumphant, Volumes 1 & 2
16. Holy God We Praise Your Great Name by Nick Alexander from the album I Wanna Be Debated
    
17. What Can I Do by Paul Baloche from the album A Greater Song
18. We Plow the Fields by Ralph Carmichael from the album Ahh Capella Hymns
19. Jesus, Thank You by Sovereign Grace Music from the album Worship God Live
    
20. Thank You for Loving Me by Tommy Walker from the album Make It Glorious
    

Nick Alexander here... This is a list of my favorite songs that fit the theme "Formed by Living Water." This is the theme for NCCYM 2008 (National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry), to be held in Cleveland, OH on Dec 4-7, 2008. These songs are great songs for me to listen to while traveling to this conference. I, and some of the artists represented here (Bryan Murdaugh, George Lower, and Nick Cardilino, along with Paul Hilts) hope to meet you there...
Booth #429
sponsored by the Catholic Association of Music.

1. How Life's Supposed to Be by Last Day off the album Happy Medium
   
2. Living Water by Paul Harrigan off the album Thank You 2
   
3. You Alone Can Satisfy by Ross King off the album Soulspeak
4. Discover the Way by Nick Cardilino off the album Discover the Way
   
5. You Are the Lord by Jaime Jamgochian off the album Above the Noise
6. With Living Water by Margo B. Smith off the album Sending Up a Prayer
   
7. Thirsty by Bryan Murdaugh with Total Strangers off the album With Everything I Know, It's a Long Way Home
   
8. Rain Down by Delirious? off the album World Service
9. Universal Prayer by George Lower off the album Of Saints and Angels
   
10. Melt Me by Nick Alexander off the album Eternal Life - the Party Album
    

David Gawron writes: This one lyric line (the favorite I've ever written) sums the song up: "The broken shackles of humanity cannot compare at all to what lies ahead." The song stems from the phrase in the rosary, which prompted me to think, "Hmm... what IS it like at the moment we die?" So the lyrics explore that theme, and all the potential emotions attached to that. The verses were written rather easily, but I couldn't come up with a chorus, opposite of how I usually write. My housemate at the time (I was in graduate school at the Franciscan University of Steubenville), Jim Moran, had a little tune he'd wander around humming sometimes. He didn't have words for it or or verse ideas, but it was a great tune. It is now the At The Hour chorus, and it works fantastically as a complement to the verses. The verses are very pensive and melancholy, as we say goodbye to the corporal life we've known. The chorus is supposed to be the angels greeting us as we pass into eternity with our Lord Jesus. An artist created two watercolor paintings to illustrate the lyrics:
At the Hour of Our Death Words and Music by David Gawron Time stands still from where I lay I feel my life slippin’ away The Holy Spirit breathes into me, O Lord My bruised and battered soul is set free In communion with all the angels and saints I feel the Raw and Pure Energy I feel the overwhelming desire, O Lord Your hands lift me higher and higher It’s only now that I realize I see eternity in Your eyes I’ve never been, but I feel like I’ve been here before And into Heaven my soul soars I think of all I did with my life All the blessings, all of the gifts All the sorrow, and all of the pain But I pressed on, my love never strayed My prayers are answered, my debt is paid The broken shackles of humanity Cannot compare to what lies ahead -- And I heard the word He said