A benefit video of Stephen Curtis Chapman performing an acoustic version of his song "Cinderella".

"The clock has struck midnight" in a way certainly not anticipated...

The tragic event that occurred May 20, 2008 are described in a brief news clip that follows.

Daughter of Stephen Curtis Chapman Hit, Killed by Car (AP

Nashville, TN - Tennessee authorities say the 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman has been struck and killed by a sport-utility vehicle driven by her brother.

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Tennessee Highway Patrol spokesman Laura McPherson saye the girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway at the family residence this afternoon south of Nashville. McPherson says the Toyota Land Cruiser was driven by the girl's teenage brother.

McPherson says several members fo the Chapman family witnessed the accident. Chapman is originally from Paducah, KY.

MdPherson says the bother apparently did not see the little girl. McPherson did not have the name or exact age of the brother. Vanderbilt Medical Center spokesman Laurie Holloway says the girl died later at the hospital.

Canadian Christian Pop/Rock duo, Lori-Ann & Curtis will release two new songs this Fall.

The first is a retro, disco-inspired track, entitled Wonderful Counsellor (Advent Version). This song was the written in 2006 in response to a lack of new music for the Advent season.

The second new release is Forest of Hope, a sparkling new holiday song about savouring the feeling of Christmas, without losing sight of the true meaning.

All of Lori-Ann & Curtis' song are recorded and released under their own indie label, P& B Productions (Kanata).

More Info: www.myspace.com/lorianncurtis

(d. 794) 

A "do not disturb" sign helped today's saint find holiness and peace.

Stephen of Mar Saba was the nephew of St. John Damascene, who introduced the young boy to monastic life beginning at age 10. When he reached 24, Stephen served the community in a variety of ways, including guest master. After some time he asked permission to live a hermit's life. The answer from the abbot was yes and no: Stephen could follow his preferred lifestyle during the week, but on weekends he was to offer his skills as a counselor. Stephen placed a note on the door of his cell: "Forgive me, Fathers, in the name of the Lord, but please do not disturb me except on Saturdays and Sundays."

Despite his calling to prayer and quiet, Stephen displayed uncanny skills with people and was a valued spiritual guide.

His biographer and disciple wrote about Stephen: "Whatever help, spiritual or material, he was asked to give, he gave. He received and honored all with the same kindness. He possessed nothing and lacked nothing. In total poverty he possessed all things."

Stephen died in 794.

(d. 36 A.D.?)

All we know of Stephen is found in Acts of the Apostles, chapters six and seven. It is enough to tell us what kind of man he was:

At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenist (Greek-speaking) Christians complained about the Hebrew-speaking Christians, saying that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.... (Acts 6:1-5)

Acts says that Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders among the people. Certain Jews, members of the Synagogue of Roman Freedmen, debated with Stephen but proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke. They persuaded others to make the charge of blasphemy against him. He was seized and carried before the Sanhedrin.

In his speech, Stephen recalled God’s guidance through Israel’s history, as well as Israel’s idolatry and disobedience. He then claimed that his persecutors were showing this same spirit. “[Y]ou always oppose the holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors” (Acts 7:51b).

His speech brought anger from the crowd. “But [Stephen], filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, ‘Behold, I see

the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God....’ They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him....As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit....Lord, do not hold this sin against them’” (Acts 7:55-56, 58a, 59, 60b).

He was born in Constantinople in 715 to pious parents named John and Anna. His mother had prayed often to the most holy Theotokos to be granted a son, and received a revelation from our Lady that she would conceive the son she desired. When the child was born, she named him Stephen, following a prophecy of the Patriarch St Germanos (commemorated May 12). Stephen entered monastic life as a youth, and so distinguished himself in asceticism and virtue that the hermits of Mt Auxentius appointed him their leader at a young age.  'During the reign of Constantine V (741-775), Stephen showed his love of Orthodoxy in contending for the Faith... Besides being a fierce Iconoclast, Constantine raised up a ruthless persecution of monasticism. He held a council in 754 that anathematized the holy icons. Because Saint Stephen rejected this council, the Emperor framed false accusations against him and exiled him. But while in exile Saint Stephen performed healings with holy icons and turned many away from Iconoclasm. When he was brought before the Emperor again, he showed him a coin and asked whose image the coin bore. "Mine," said the tyrant. "If any man trample upon thine image, is he liable to punishment?" asked the Saint. When they that stood by answered yes, the Saint groaned because of their blindness, and said if they thought dishonouring the image of a corruptible king worthy of punishment, what torment would they receive who trampled upon the image of the Master Christ and of the Mother of God? Then he threw the coin to the ground and trampled on it. He was condemned to eleven months in bonds and imprisonment. Later, he was dragged over the earth and was stoned, like Stephen the First Martyr; wherefore he is called Stephen the New. Finally, he was struck with a wooden club on the temple and his head was shattered, and thus he gave up his spirit in the year 767.' (Great Horologion)

Wonderful Counsellor (Advent Version), the most recent single by Christian Rock / Pop duo Lori-Ann & Curtis, written specifically in honour of the third Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Joy - was actually the inspiration behind the title track of their 2007 Christmas CD.


This retro-inspired track also features the vocals of Megan & Stéphan Gélinas.

A music video to promote Wonderful Counsellor (Advent Version) will soon follow.


Additionally, two new Christmas Singles, Forest of Hope and Ring the Bells are scheduled for release in early November 2008.

Lori-Ann McGrath and Curtis Harnanan began their musical collaboration shortly after they met in the Fall of 2001. They have worked and performed with several church-based and community choirs in Canada, Trinidad and the United States.

All of Lori-Ann & Curtis' music is recorded, mixed, mastered and produced at their home studio under their P&B Productions (Kanata) label.