I am excited to share the news of my new recording project. I wrote several of the songs and co-wrote a few of the songs with my friends Carl Herrgesell and Sarah Hart. Also included is a song entitled Ready and Willing, a co-write with friends of mine who live and minister in Hawaii. Soane and Margaret Uiagalelei minister full-time with the SSCC Congregation (The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary). The SSCC community gave us St. Damien de Veuster, who lived, ministered and died on the island of Molokai; giving his life to those afflicted with Leprosy, and banished from the other islands because of the disease. The title song, You Welcomed Me, has an interesting story. I was asked to compose it for a gathering that I could not attend. My friends Pipo and Joyce Coronel insisted I was the right person to compose and sing the song at the beautiful event they had planned, to support the plight of the Iraq Catholics who were fleeing persecution. I “sang” the song by way of a recording and video, and the song grew in my heart and in my ministry. It encapsulates all that I have tried to “say” on this recording project: welcome the stranger, no matter who they are and no matter where they come from. This is the call to us all from the heart of Jesus: “For whatever you did, to the least of these, you did to me”.
You Welcomed Me is available at OCP.org (click here). It is also available on iTunes.
What are people saying?
“Tom Booth has given us all another great collection of sacred song in his new recording, You Welcomed Me. With strikingly beautiful arrangements, each selection will carry you into a deep encounter with Christ. Our parish community picked up the melodies with ease and I found them to be liturgically engaging. Tom masterfully captures the beauty of Sacred Scripture and in one song, allows us a glimpse into the heart of St. Teresa of Calcutta. This will be your new favorite – It certainly has become mine!”
Msgr. Steve Avila.
Pastor, St. Anthony’s Parish. East Falmouth, MA
“Renowned Catholic songwriter/teacher Tom Booth has done it again! If you are director of music in your parish, or if you lead a music worship group at a church, or if you are just a casual listener of Christian or Catholic music, the new collection by Tom Booth, You Welcomed Me, is like musical manna. Tom has created a new and beautiful set of songs that have a common thread: that we are all part of the mission of the Church; serving and loving others, just as Jesus Christ asked his followers to do. From songs about being called by God, to songs about trusting in the mercy of God, and songs about going into the world to love those we meet, this is a wonderful collection that the whole church can sing and, more importantly, embrace in their collective heart. Get this recording! Listen to it, learn it and share it with your church! I love it and plan to sing it with my congregation. I know our faith will deepen and our hearts will rejoice at the good news in these songs.]”
Jaime Cortez
Renowned Liturgical Composer
Workshop Presenter /Parish Music Director
“Tom Booth has always given such beautiful songs to the Church to pray and sing. With this new recording, he has given us his best songs so far! I am in love with the gorgeous sounds, the truth in the lyrics and the deep honesty that is a hallmark of Tom’s music. With You Welcomed Me, Tom has truly done something beautiful for God!”
Sarah Hart
Composer/Performer/Mission Presenter
Spirit and Song/OCP.org
“From the first notes and chords of the opening song – You Called Me, Tom Booth has put together something that is musically vintage, and yet fresh and new. One of my favorites, Pilgrim Walk On, accomplishes much the same. You Welcomed Me is a musical breath of fresh air!”
John Michael Talbot
Acclaimed Catholic Musician
Grammy/Dove Award Winner
Author/Founder/General Minister of Little Portion Hermitage