Come get to know Susan . . .
Susan’s ministry covers a wide range of activities but is centered on one thing: encouraging and deepening the faith of everyone she meets in Jesus Christ. As a singer/songwriter/recording artist, speaker, and publisher and editor of GRAPEVINE, the magazine devoted to Catholic performing artists, Susan has been actively sharing her ministry locally, nationally and internationally. Appearances at World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, on EWTN and on the Catholic Family Network are just some of the highlights.
Susan’s mission is to encourage, inspire and uplift Catholics in their faith, especially those who work so hard behind the scenes to bring the faith to others. She also feels called to minister to the dying and to those in mourning.
A devotion to the Blessed Mother coupled with openness to the Holy Spirit leads Susan in all of her ministry activities, whether it be directing her singing to God in prayer, speaking to women on retreat about discovering their gifts, or writing and publishing GRAPEVINE, and podcasting via the GrapeVine News Minute, about the many fine artists singing about their Catholic faith. Her soothing and inspiring music continues to invoke a prayerful and worshipful response from those in attendance while her talks inspire and teach. Her publishing and broadcasting work seek to let everyone know that God can speak His people in profound ways through songs dedicated to His glory.
Speaking and Retreat Ministry
Susan (who is from the Diocese of Worcester, MA) and her partner, Deacon David McDowell (from the Diocese of Wilmington, DE) offer a full day retreat on the power of forgiveness and the discovery of your gifts for the glory of God with talks, music, and an opportunity to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation while mediating on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary through Susan’s Sung Rosary.
Here are comments from participants:
“Loved Deacon Dave talks and Susan’s music and talk was beautiful.”
“Deacon Dave was on fire with the Spirit and Susan was a wonderful addition and helped with her talk and beautiful music.”
“Both speakers spoke from their hearts.”
“Deacon Dave’s energy and honesty was awesome and Susan’s ‘Simon Son of John’ song made me understand the whole day better.”
“I liked how Susan and Dave kept everything and everyone’s interest, made me want to make everyday of my life happy and to invite God into it.”
“Susan Bailey was good and her music is beautiful. ‘Simon Son of John’ made me cry.”
“Deacon Dave’s talks were inspirational and humorous and singing the rosary was the best event of the day. Susan has written a beautiful Rosary.”
“The day was very helpful on our journey of life. You could feel the holiness.”
“It was very emotional, lots of food for thought. Music and the stories told [were] very meaningful. [I was reminded] that God forgave me and I need to forgive myself. Susan’s song on forgiveness [‘As We Forgive’] summed up the day for me.”
“Group prayer and singing the rosary made me feel everything was balance and led to a blessed reconciliation.”
“I liked most singing the rosary.”
Write to Susan at susan@gvonline.net to find out more about this speaking and retreat ministry. You can also call and leave a message for her at 206-600-6940 - she will call you right back.
Music Ministry
Susan offers music in many settings. She would love to come to your church and can provide the following services:
Full-fledged concert, focusing on one of the following themes:
Mary
Advent and Christmas
Healing of the Church
Life struggles and triumphs (with personal testimony)
Life of Christ
Straight Praise and Worship* (*some praise and worship is incorporated
into every concert)
Coffeehouse concert in an intimate setting (which would include refreshments) based
on any of the above-mentioned themes
Praise and Worship for prayer meetings (specifically Charismatic Renewal)
Liturgies
Music for Marian cenacles of prayer and praying of the rosary
(Susan has a sung rosary setting)
Holy Hours and music for Adoration
Retreats, both for adults and young people
Parish Renewals and missions; providing musical support for a mission speaker
Women's Groups and Conferences
Write to Susan at susan@gvonline.net to find out more about this speaking and retreat ministry. You can also call and leave a message for her at 206-600-6940 - she will call you right back.
Susan's newest collection of songs includes Susan's #1 hit on Soundclick.com, "Amazing Grace." Visit her website at http://www.susanbailey.net to purchase this collection.
Susan is also recording a Sung Rosary which will hopefully be released in October 2007. Visit her website at http://www.susanbailey.net/ to pre-order your copy.
Teach Me to Love
(12 original songs of inspiration and hope, with 2 songs dedicated to Mother Teresa)
"SONGS OF INSPIRATION
Susan Bailey, a singer and songwriter from the Boston area, has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Karen Carpenter. Bailey's latest recording, Teach Me to Love, is a collection of 12 original tunes that showcase her pop-folk style. Two tracks, the title song and "Something Beautiful," honor Mother Teresa of Calcutta. "Come Holy Spirit" is a jubilant call. "Stand Up and Be Joyful" makes you want to do just that.
--Lisa Williams of Catholic Faith & Family"
Wait with Me (songs for Advent and Christmas)
"Advent season is almost upon us. Be prepared for it with the new CD by Susan Bailey. "Wait with Me: Advent of the Promised Son" is Susan's second album and contains a pleasing collection of soothing and simply arranged songs. Beautiful acoustic guitars, simple, earthy percussion, poetic lyrics based on scripture, and quiet yet passionate singing focus the listener on the true meaning of the Advent and Christmas season.
Wait with Me features prophecy from Isaiah ("A Shoot from Jesse", "The Lord Has Come to Save You"), a new version of the Magnificat ("He Looked at Me") original songs focusing on Mary's role ("Wait with Me", "Room in Our Hearts") plus covers of "O Holy Night" and Michael Card's "The Final Word". You will be touched by the duet with Susan's daughter Meredith featured on "Baby Jesus". Wait with Me's melodies, rhythms and messages pervade us and persuade us to focus upon the true meaning of this season--this season of hope--this season of the coming Savior!
--Catholic Music Network.com, November 2003"
Mater Dei
(songs for and to Mary, the Mother of God)
" "Mater Dei" is a gentle album, as befits the Blessed Virgin Mary, the subject of the music. A combination of Susan’s own compositions and familiar Catholic hymns, the entire CD pays tribute to the Mother of God.
Susan’s rendition of “Hail, Holy Queen” has a light beat added to the old hymn, and stands out as one of three tracks on the album performed entirely by Susan—vocal leads and harmonies, and all instrumentation.
Susan’s music can be somewhat deceiving as one listens to "Come Into His Presence": There is a temptation to think of her as limited to lilting, pleasant melodies; this misconception is shattered as one progresses through the tracks, witnessing her haunting vibrato on some, and enthusiastic exhortation on others.
In four of Susan’s own songs, "Come Into His Presence," "Immaculate Mantle," "Take Joy in Me," and "Wait With Me," she sings in the first person, from the perspective of Our Lady, a technique that can touch the heart as one envisions Mary telling us, "Don’t despair, oh my little child. Your mother still loves you!"
Franz Schubert based his "Ave Maria" upon a popular tune of his day, and in retrospect, he disliked the finished product. Today, the pop songs fade but "Ave Maria" has withstood the test of time. Not everyone can sing it, though many make the attempt. Susan is successful, adding multitracked vocal harmonies and countermelodies, along with a subtle 3/4 beat.
In an age of widespread indifferentism, it’s refreshing to witness a bold, unashamed tribute to Our Blessed Mother. Thanks, Susan! --Paul Sadet, Relevant Radio® 1330 WLOL"
Also available at:
www.Amazon.com
www.CatholicMusicNetwork.com
www.CDBaby.com
www.HeartbeatRecords.com GrapeVine Magazine
and GrapeVine News Minute Podcast
Another facet of Susan’s ministry is the writing and publishing of GRAPEVINE, the magazine devoted to Catholic performing artists. Visit the website at www.gvonline.net to read the articles online, download professionally designed PDF versions, or purchase the print copy. You can also listen to the GrapeVine News Minute for the latest news in the world of Catholic music - there is a player there for easy listening.
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