Phibsborough
St Peter’s Singers Musical Director, Helen Walsh has recently been honoured by having I will bless your name, a Psalm setting of her own composition included in the World Meeting of Families Event. A piece very familiar to our Sunday congregations now has been performed for an International audience.
Congratulations Helen.
The origin of the piece is a lesson in simplicity,
Helen composed I will bless your name forever, a setting for Psalm 144, for the regular weekend Masses for St Peter’s in 1995. On her way to the Saturday evening liturgy, Helen penned the music very quickly on the back of an envelope! Later that evening it was sung by Bass, Mr. Myles Kinsella. In 1996 RTE ran a church music competition and Helen submitted the psalm given its popularity amongst the Mass going community. It was shortlisted and reached the final which was broadcast on RTE radio live and performed by Cor na Nog. The music was later published along with that of the other finalists by RTE. This year, in the preparations for the World Meeting of Families, Helen was approached by the organiser of liturgical music for the events, Mr Derek Mahaddy who sought permission for the piece to be shortlisted for use to which Helen naturally agreed.
I will bless your name was sung by the worshipping community in the RDS on the Friday liturgy and broadcast on television later that night. The psalm is noted for its gentleness and simple melody to which congregations can easily attune.