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.