Earlier this week, via social media, I learned of the passing of the Australian Mercy Sister Janet Mead.  In 1974, she set the “Our Father” to an uptempo rock beat.  The single topped the charts at No. 3 in Australia and No. 4 in the United States.  The single earned her gold records. 

During the 17th Annual Grammy awards held in 1975, she, The Bill Gaither Trio, Elvis Presley, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Bill Pursell were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance.  Elvis Presley’s “How Great Thou Art” beat out the competition to win that year. 

She pioneered the concept of the “Rock Mass” in South Australia and the Mass was celebrated regularly in the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Adelaide.

I don’t know that I remember this setting of the Our Father as I was in grade school and wouldn’t become Roman Catholic until I was in college.  I listened to a YouTube video (linked below) of the song and was singing it throughout the rest of the day and up until now.

It reminded me of all the folk Masses I attended in the 80’s and early 90’s and how the music at those folk Masses soothed and lifted my soul.

Rest in Peace Sr. Janet Mead thanks for sharing your gift of music and charity to the homeless.