Regis Associate Professor Heather Josselyn-Cranson and colleagues in the North American Academy of Liturgy published a collaborative ecumenical anthology, "Living the Church’s Song,” that echoes the values of the university’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, further connecting the ideas of music and worship. Prof. Josselyn-Cranson co-edited the publication and wrote two chapters and the introduction.
The North American Academy of Liturgy is a group of scholars that works to further the understanding and practice of worship. According to the publisher, GIA Publications, in this publication, liturgical music scholars and practitioners from various Christian denominations explore twenty-four propositions relating to music and its role in corporate worship. The book is divided into three sections; The Function of Liturgical Music; The Repertoire of Liturgical Music; and The Makers of Liturgical Music. The publisher writes that the purpose of this book is meant to initiate, sustain, and further dialogue in this field into the future.
“Living the Church’s Song” is dedicated to exploring the ideas of best practices in church music that people from all denominations can agree on,” said Prof. Josselyn-Cranson. “More than 20 different authors from several different countries and at least seven different religious traditions collaborated to produce this resource. This book will benefit faith communities that seek to better understand their own singing, and also students on an educational path toward becoming priests, pastors, or church musicians.”
“As it relates to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Living the Church’s Song echoes the values of the Sisters, who teach us to invite others in graciously, and to respect them as dear neighbors without distinction of denomination,” added Prof. Josselyn-Cranson
Other scholars who contributed to the writing of Living the Church’s Song include Anthony Ruff, OSB, Associate Professor of Theology at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary; Steve Janco, Liturgy Resources Specialist at World Library Publications; Mary Fran Fleischaker, OP, DMin, Adjunct Professor of Theology at Barry University; Alan Hommerding, General Editor of Living the Word (weekly scripture reflections), as well as the WLP Organ Library; Jonathan Tan, PhD, Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor in Catholic Studies and Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University; and Kim Harris, PhD, Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University.
