Lately, I have been getting asked a lot about my new album. What will it sound like? What are the inspirations behind it? Will there be saxophone again? ( In answer to the last question: there will not be saxophone again.:) )
As I prepared to write music for this new project though, Ite Missa Est, I wanted to work with other musicians who had a passion for the Liturgy. I wanted to work with people who understood the beauty of the Holy Mass and the need for music that would compliment it in every way possible. I am blessed to have worked on this project with great artists like Casey McKinley, John Flaherty, Jenny Pixler and Trevor Thomson. One thing holds true for all of these awesome musicians. They love our God and they all have a passion for the liturgy.
As I sat down, I knew that I wanted the album to be a mass from top to bottom. From gathering song to recessional with mass parts included. I had no idea what was going to come from this prayer, I just knew that if was to be blessed, I had to turn it over to God.
As the songs came forth, I also recognized the blessings in each piece. "Arise" was our call to wake up from our sleep and see the greatness of our God. "Offering to You" is a statement of bringing everything to the altar, not just the bread and wine, but each and every one of us. "Wake Our Hearts" is my Eucharistic hymn from a Eucharistic people. "Fall In Love" is inspired by the beautiful prayer by Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ.. It is a song about falling in love with the One who made us, in an "absolute and final way". As Hillsong United says in "Go... giving it all away, giving it all to go Your way".
The song that I had struggled with was the recessional. I wanted something that reminded me of Steve Angrisano's "Go Make a Difference". That song still brings back great memories to me and really is an anthem to change the world. As I struggled with a recessional, I recalled a reception I attended with Fr. Robert Barron and then inspiration hit: It was the theme of Fr. Barron's latest series, staring me straight in the face. "Priest, Prophet, King". That was it! The call for us to go out to all the nations -- to bring the Good News just as the Book of Romans tell us all, be "not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ".
Needless to say, I am very excited about the upcoming album. I am grateful to God for giving me so many great people to be with me on this journey. I am grateful for you and I ask that you pray for me and my family as we continue to work to build the Kingdom of God.