As we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Pope John Paul II this month, it is right that we look over his works and writings with awe. Surely, he will be called Pope John Paul II the Great and be in high honor in the history of the Catholic Church.

Inspired by recent encyclicals from the Holy Father, primarily the ones on the Rosary and the Eucharist, Chris Padgett, lead singer of the group Scarecrow and Tinmen, has released his second solo album, called Golden.  "Golden" has that funky edge and alternative sound that we have come to expect from Padgett. You can hear it in the very first cut from the album, called “Shake Your Head.” Don’t expect head-banger music with its title--it's more a message to shake off your cares and sins and give them to Christ. The tune is so catchy you will want to “shake your head” to it. Keep moving with the tune “Live It.” This is one song that should be played on all contemporary radio stations and could be a nice alternative radio crossover as well.  It has a 311 and Evanescence sound to it:  “Go into all the world and live, be like Jesus...”  Having a one-on-one personal relationship with the Lord is the idea behind the song, “Inside.”  “Instrument” tells about giving yourself completely to God, so he can form you into a instrument of praise. This theme is again taken up in “Surrender.” You must give yourself to Him. The very touching song, “I Worship You,” is an emotional mixture of Padgett’s vocals and piano that clearly speaks of his love of Jesus.  His true presence is with us in the Eucharist as He told us in John 6. The title track of “Golden” speaks of Christ’s body, soul and divinity being in that Host at every Mass.  While there are those that do not understand Christ’s words in John 6 and just see bread, Padgett sings that he knows He is there in the Sacrament of Sacraments. This is from a convert to the Catholic faith!  Padgett also sings of his love of the Blessed Mother in “Mary’s Son.”  We know that Jesus was Mary’s son, but Padgett reminds us that Christ gave us His mother while on the cross: “Since she's good enough for Jesus, then she's good enough for me.”  Chris Padgett has showed a wonderful talent and love of Jesus in Golden.

You missed a blessing if you weren't at this year’s Proud 2B Catholic concert in Salem, Massachusetts. One act that stood out and was extremely awesome was Aaron Thompson. I knew songs from his first CD, Mystical Radical God, but he gave us new ones at the concert from his recent CD, Turn The Page. This new CD has just as many directions musically, all reinforced with pure, solid lyrics that proclaim God’s love for us all. Take the song “Awestruck,” in which Thompson asks, with so many things going on in the world, why God would care for him and even die for him. It is an awesome thought! This song has one of those infectious melodies that will last even after the song is over. Thompson’s vocals radiate beautifully on “Dream 32603 (Two Gardens).” This song is inspired by the Scott Hahn book, “First Comes Love,” which looks for a connection between the families men and women create on earth and the Divine Family, the Holy Trinity. In the song we see Adam wanting a life with no death for him and his wife, while Jesus says yes to a death that would bring life to all. In the moving “Disturb Us,” Thompson asks the Spirit of God to guide our choices and to light the fire in our soul for Him. This song will get your head rockin’ with its beat and extraordinary electric guitar work. That same guitar work is wonderfully done again in “Above and Below.” The mock eastern music opening is Thompson’s tongue 'n cheek joke since the opening line deals with Gandhi, who says that Christ had good advice but few Christians follow it. The gist of the song is that we may be the only Christ that anyone ever meets, so we should show the reason for believing in Him, by living in Him. One of our best examples of this is Our Blessed Mother, Mary. In the song, “Mary, Pray For Us,” Thompson honors the Mother of God giving reasons why she is blessed among women and the best intercessor there is. The beautiful saxophone playing on this is not to be missed and blends wonderfully with Thompson’s soulful voice. Of course the most stirring song on the CD is the title track, “Turn The Page.”  It is a song dedicated to children past and present who have experienced the betrayal of sexual abuse. Powerful vocals and lyrics tell us that these souls hold a special place in God’s heart, where He reaches out to heal where they are wounded and torn. It is really a tremendously touching song. Aaron Thompson will take you on a rollercoaster ride with “Turn The Page.” It is deep and soulful at one moment then high energy pop the next, but it never loses sight of the faith-filled messages in each song. Turn The Page is a CD that every Christian should own.

Fr. Maximilian Mary left during his freshman year at music school after he received an extraordinary grace of conversion and a calling to be a Franciscan priest.  As a Franciscan of the Immaculate, the superiors have encouraged him to utilize his musical talents for the cause of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 
In Cantate Mariae, Latin for “Sing of Mary,” Fr. Maximilian sings an inspiring collection of Marian hymns varying from Gregorian chant, to a lively Mexican style, to an Irish flavor with the fiddle. If you are a fan of John Michael Talbot you will enjoy these songs. The songs are set to classical guitar, strings and vocal harmonies. Songs include:  Our Lady Queen Of The Seraphic Order, Immaculate Heart Of Mary, Salve Regina, Ave Maria, O Maiden, Hail Queen Of Heaven, Veni Sponsa Christi, As I Kneel (Ave Maria), and more. Check out Cantate Mariae