St. Joseph of Cupertino St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish

Cupertino, California ~~ Founded 1913 ~~

Flyer

November 2015

The Stories Behind the Songs

By Mike Hoffman

The purpose of this article, dear readers, is to tell you about the

stories behind some of the songs in the Breaking Bread

songbook. I am sharing these stories with you in the hope that

knowing the story behind the song will enhance your experience

of singing the song. Of course, there’s also the fact that they’re

wonderful stories I think more people should know.

While I have attempted to check out these stories, I do not

present them as being 100% historically accurate... All opinions

expressed herein are strictly mine.

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (732)

According to Wikipedia, this song is often called, “the national

anthem of Christendom.” The lyrics were written Edward

Perronet while he served as a missionary in India. They first

appeared in the November 1779 issue of the Gospel Magazine.

While serving as a missionary living in India in the 1800’s, the

Reverend E. P. Scott set out alone to share the gospel with a

dangerous and savage tribe. Several days into his journey, he was

surrounded by a group of warriors all pointing spears at him.

Expecting to die, Scott pulled out the violin he always carried

with him and began to play and sing, “All Hail the Power of

Jesus’ Name.”

After playing several verses, Scott looked around and saw that

the warriors had lowered their spears and had tears in their eyes.

Over the remainder of his life, Scott spent much time with the

tribe, sharing the good news with them.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand (692)

The composer of this song, Reverend Thomas Dorsey (1899-

1993) is, according to Wikipedia, known as “the father of black

gospel music.” While at a revival in St. Louis, he received a

telegram saying that his wife had died in childbirth. When he got

home to Chicago the next morning, he was told that the baby had

also died. Describing the event years later, he said, “After putting

my wife away, the baby in the same casket, I went to the music

room, just browsing over the keys and seemingly the words, like

drops of water seemed to drop in line with me on the piano.”

The song was a favorite of Elvis Presley and Martin Luther King

Jr. According to Wikipedia, “King’s last words before his

assassination was a request to play it at a mass he was due to

attend that night.”

Amazing Grace (58)

John Newton, who wrote the words this song, was a slave trader.

He had no religious beliefs. While attempting to steer his ship

through a violent storm, believing all hope was lost, he

exclaimed, “Lord have mercy on us.” Soon afterwards, cargo

shifted in the hold and plugged up a leak and the ship was saved.

Newton felt that this incident was the beginning of his

conversion to Christianity. Years later, he was ordained a priest

in the Church of England. Seen in the light of his experiences, it

seems quite clear to me that the song is autobiographical. The

line, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch

like me!” is a celebration of his conversion.

Jonathan Aitken, a Newton biographer has estimated that

Amazing Grace is sung about 10 million times a year. President

Obama sang Amazing Grace (solo) during the funeral of one of

the Charleston church shooting victims.

Lord of the Dance (570)

This song is identified in the songbook as, “A Shaker Melody.”

The Shakers were a religious sect. Led by Ann Lee, they came to

America in 1774 to escape religious persecution in England.

Their name comes from the vigorous dancing movements that

were an integral part of the religious observances.

Sydney Carter, who was not a shaker, wrote “Lord of the Dance”

in 1963. The song was inspired by a number of influences

including the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts” (#514), Jesus and an

image of the Hindu god Siva in a dancing pose. Mr. Carter said

of this song,

“I see Christ as the incarnation of the Piper who is calling us. He

dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality.”

and “I did not think the churches would like it at all.”

So, we have a song in the songbook based on a Shaker hymn,

written by a man who was neither a Shaker nor a Catholic who

thought it would never catch on as a church hymn.

Shall We Gather at the River (616)

Robert Lowry (1826-1899) was a professor of literature and a

Baptist pastor who wrote many hymns. One afternoon in July

1864, he had a vision of heaven which included saints gathered

around the beautiful river of life. According to sharethefaith.com

(a source I have used for this article), it’s often sung at baptisms

and funerals. It was sung at the funeral of Supreme Court justice

William Douglas and in the movie, “Trip to Bountiful.”

Lead Me, Guide Me (392)

This song represents a trifecta, matched, I think, by very few

other songs. First, it was written by an African American

composer, second, it was a favorite song of Elvis Presley, and

third, it is, according to ignatianspirituality.com, a “best Ignatian

song.” The author of the article, Mr. Jim Manney “a popular

writer on Ignatian topics,” urges us to sing these words from the

song when facing a decision:

Lead me, guide me, along the way,

For, if you lead me, I cannot stray.

Lord let me walk each day with Thee.

Lead me, O Lord, lead me.

Pretty good advice, I think.

November 2015 St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish Page 4

Solve the Cryptogram

By Lorinda Rodrigues

Directions: Solve the Cryptogram; a cryptogram is a block of text which has been rendered unreadable through the use of what is

called a "substitution cypher.” This means each letter used in the original text has been substituted with another (G becomes A, F

becomes P, etc.). Letter/word positions, spaces and punctuation remain unchanged. All the Cryptograms below use the same alphabet

and are all related to one bible passage. For the solution, see our Parish website: http://www.stjoscup.org/newsletter.php

6 : 5 1

R L C O 6 : 5 1

“

“H W U E C P J B F B O A I M P W X E C W E K W U P

.

X L D O G M L U C P W F P O. D C L P F P M P W E Q

.

E C H Q H U B D Y D H J J J H F P G L M P F P M. E C H Q

,

I M P W X H Q U S G J P Q C, D C H K C H D H J J

.”

A I F P G L M E C P J H G P L G E C P D L M J X.”

St. Joseph of Cupertino Flyer

Published Quarterly by

St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish,

Communications Ministry

communications@stjoscup.org

Pastor: Rev. Gregory Kimm

Contributors:

Steve Hill

Mike Hoffman

Justin Read

Lorinda Rodrigues

The Flyer, with color photos, is

posted on the parish web site.

Articles for the Flyer are welcomed

from parishioners.

Contact the Communications Ministry

with a topic before writing it,

communications@stjoscup.org

Parish Calendar

Nov. 30 10:00 a.m. Comm. Center Consolation of Grief Fr. Chris Bennett

Dec. 3 7:00 pm Church Parish Reconciliation

Dec. 6 12:30 p.m. Comm. Center Christmas Traditions & Customs

Dec. 10 9:30 a.m. Comm. Center Eucharist throughout the Bible

Dec. 11 6:30 pm Church Our Lady of Guadalupe mass with reception

Dec. 15, 20 5:00 pm Church Simbang Gabi masses; reception following

Dec. 24 5:00 pm Church Mass with Emphasis on Children

Jan. 3 12:30 p.m. Comm. Center Feast of the Epiphany Celebration

Jan. 10 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm Hall Crab feed, Holy Name Society

Jan. 17 9:30 a.m. Welcome mass & reception

Jan. 21 7:00 p.m. Comm. Center Bible Study on Galatians Begins

Jan. 24 1:00 p.m. Rectory Confirmation information session

Feb. 6 10:00 a.m. Chapel Anointing of the Sick, Msgr. Milani

Feb. 10 Ash Wednesday

Mon. & Sat. 6:30 pm Hall Bingo

Tuesdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm Comm. Center Meditation with Sr. Dorothy

Wednesdays 7:15 – 8:45 pm Rectory RCIA

Wednesdays 9:00 am –12:15 pm Eucharistic adoration

Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 pm Comm. Center Bible Study

4th Thursday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Comm. Center Prayer Group

1st Saturday 9:00 am Comm. Center Talk by Fr. Athanasius on Mary

Sundays 10:30 – 11:00 am Front of church Video Lending Library

1st Sunday Morning masses Comm. Center Hospitality after mass – coffee and donuts

2nd Sunday 12:30 pm Rectory Grief Support