Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

Chris Skinner

Chris Skinner music goes digital

Chris Skinner
Chris Skinner’s new album, “Making music to your name”.

All Fr Chris Skinner’s music is now available digitally.

It is a significant departure for Chris Skinner music, meaning all 20 albums have been digitally remastered and along with the playlist categories of songs have bee uploaded, to his website www.chrisskinner.org.nz

Albums range in price from $19.99 – $10.99 and are available for purchase on the website.

Individual songs can also be sampled and purchased for between $2.29 – $1.79 each.

Chris’ latest album “Making music to your name” is taken from Psalm 92 and has 10 new tracks.

The album follows a request by the Dunedin Diocese to help people understand why Catholics do certain things during Mass.

Incorporating some of his songs into classroom prayer, Chris says he was motivated to compose this new collection of songs mostly based on the Psalm.

He hopes the track, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord” will appeal to a younger audience and enable those who enjoy it to experience a sense of joy.

Chris Skinner concludes Jubilee Year of Mercy tour

Fr Chris Skinner recently concluded 10 day tour of the Dunedin diocese offering a series of music workshops in parishes and schools.

Fr Chris Skinner
Fr Chris Skinner

The diocese was keen to promote a number of activities during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, and Chris focussed on a number of his songs with a mercy theme.

Offering workshops, concerts, he also played at several Masses.

On its website the Diocese says he “delighted all ages with his music”.

“Throughout all ten days, Fr Chris’s joyful energy remained high, delighting people from ages 2 to 92 with his melodious voice and prayerful presence”, says Amy Armstrong of the Dunedin Diocese in a statement.

A significant focus of the visit was three workshops in Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill where he spent a lot of time teaching parish and school musicians.

A new album from Chris Skinner; with a little help from his friends

Angel of the Forest - Chris Skinner
Frs Chris Skinner SM and James Lyons at the launch of “Angel of the Forest”

A large crowd attended a concert at St Peter and Paul’s Lower Hutt last Friday to attend the launch of “Angel of the Forest“, a new album by Fr Chris Skinner SM.

A special feature of the concert was the performance of five songs with lyrics by well known Wellington priest and writer, Fr James Lyons.

During the concert both artists had time to explain how the words and music came about.

Lyons said that the phrase ‘thieves of innocence’ compelled him as he wrote “Mother of Mercy”; saying the song carried a message about how sorrow and pain might be met by compassion and mercy.

Skinner says the album contains some very moving songs and some lively upbeat compositions.

“This is truly something quite different given the collaboration that has taken place and the arrangements have a real celtic flavour,” he says.

The last song from the album was Mum and Dad which Chris wrote after looking at his parents’ wedding photograph.

It was a gentle reflection on love, hope, dreams and memories.

For concert-goer Margaret Riordan, the line “You hold seeds for the planting in the soil of our sorrow,” that spoke gently and powerfully to her.

Another song “Into my Life” had lyrics by Lyons that spoke of thankfulness for precious friendships in our lives, and as Fr Chris wove the beautiful melody with his voice, I was grateful for all those who came to my mind,” she said.

Click to order “Angel of the Forest”

angel of the forest - chris skinner

Sources:

Chris Skinner sings at Government House Armistice dinner

Chris Skinner at Government House
Chris Skinner at Government House

On the eve of Armistice Day, Chris Skinner sang his song ‘Sons of Gallipoli’ during a dinner for veterans and service personnel at Government House.

Host of the dinner, The Governor General, The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae heard Chris sing the song at the National RSA Conference earlier this year in Wellington and invited him to help mark the occasion by singing it at the function.

Chris says he was particularly moved by the reaction of the elderly veterans to the song wanting to know the story behind it.

One of the highlights for Chris during the evening was a surprise meeting with Mr Terence Flannagan, a veteran of the Casino Campaign, and youngest brother of the late Fr Maurice Flannagan SM.

Terence asked after many Marists he knew and Chris said meeting Terence and the connection with the Society made the night for him.

Terence was accompanied by his son, Paul.

 

Marist priest mixes it with the stars at Mission Concert

Billed as the Pop Star priest, Chris Skinner, Saturday, helped warm up the crowd at the annual Mission Concert at the Mission Estate, Hawkes Bay.

Fr Skinner was one of the lead in acts for female composer and singing sensation Carole King and the Bee Gee’s legend, Barry Gibb. [Read more…] about Marist priest mixes it with the stars at Mission Concert