We are truly unworthy sinners, but are loved by God for the Holy Name's sake; truly, our Lord is 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.' (Ps. 103:8). God even sent God's only Son to earth, being the suffering servant, to be crucified on the tree by His own people and priests, and pierced. On the cross, Jesus Christ, with his own blood, reconciled us with the Father, and established a new and everlasting covenant for us with God the Creator.

　If the tree in Paradise created a fruit of death for Adam, the Cross is the holy tree that creates fruit of Life for us. The Cross is hence our Tree of Life. The evil though once wined because of a tree, it was defeated and conquered by the Tree of Life on which our Lord Jesus Christ is crucified and pierced. The Apostle testifies this to us: 'Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."' (Rev. 1:7) As sinners, we, with lament and morn, fix our eyes on the One pierced and crucified on the tree; as Christians, we anticipate the coming of our Lord, watching Him comes in glory and honor, listening to Him saying this to His churches, 'I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God.' (Rev. 2:7)

　 'Beneath the Tree of Life' (Marty Haugen, 2000, 2001 ©GIA Publications, Inc.) is the latest work of Marty Haugen who is one of the most well-known American church musicians in the world. During more than 20 years of his music ministry, Marty Haugen has been composing more than 400 hundred music for various denominations including: hymns, psalms music and Mass-settings. In the English-speaking Christian communities around the globe, particular in the Roman Catholic communities, it would be rare to hear that no one has ever heard or sung Marty Haugen's music. Till today, Marty still works vigorously and, with his gifts and talents, devotes himself to music ministry both ecumenically and internationally. 'Beneath the Tree of Life' not only is Marty's the latest mass-setting, it is also a masterpiece and a milestone of his more-then-two-decade music ministry. Its music, liturgical design, creativeness, and ecumenical spirit inspire many music ministers like us, as well as the people in the pews.

　Since the release of our first liturgical CD album, Celebration of Light (2004, and 2006 international edition), we have been receiving many positive responds from our listeners. It, particularly the 'Mass part,' comforts many listeners' hearts who, due to a variety of reasons, are unable to celebrate the Mass with their parish sisters and brothers. Hence, in this CD, in addition to Marty Haugen's Beneath the Tree of Life mass-setting, we add some more pieces such as Greeting, Lord's Prayers, Sign of Peace, Benediction and the Dismissal, hoping to present a much fuller picture of a Mass, giving this CD a greater pastoral and ministerial function to those who are in need. In remembrance of Fr. Ma Hai-shen, CDD, we have applied his revisions of the Gregorian mass-setting for more then two years here in St. Paul's Catholic Church, we now include some of his Gregorian works as supplements to Marty's Beneath the Tree of Life in this CD. Interestingly enough, they fit quite well.

　Following our first CD's footstep, we include in this album many other different liturgical music that has different 'tastes of Christian traditions,' i.e. psalm music, hymns and chanting. Not only in music, we also use three different languages in this CD, they are: Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Latin. This CD is thus a product of the Holy Spirit, which reflects God's gifts bestowed on the people in music, languages. We are though many and different, in Christ we are one, singing in one accord with perfect harmony.

　Jesus says, 'when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.' (John 12:32). Indeed, beneath the Tree of Life, may all Christians and all peoples respond to Him, 'O Lord, only in you can we rest our restless hearts. You are our God, to whom could we go?'

Paulus-Petrus I. CHANG
【Beneath The Tree of Life】CD Producer and Conductor,
Choirmaster, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Taipei Archdiocese
Member, Liturgical Commission, Taipei Archdiocese

Conductor: Paulus-Petrus I. CHANG

Priest: Deacon Jing-Kwan CHANG, Diocese of Hwa-Lien

Choir: Dan-Lee Wang, Ya-Yin Wang, Yu-Yin Su, Nai-Hsing Tsao, Gia-Huei Lin, Chi-shuo Liu, Ler-Chi Hsian, Ya-Yen Hwang, Gia-Yen Son, Jing-Yi Hsie, Wen-An Chou, Bin-Chon Chang, Hsing-Wei Shen, Hsr-Lian Chen, Chi-Ren Wang, Wei-Hsou Tsai, Yong-Chi Lin, Ying-Ren Yiao.

Children's Choir: (St. Paul's Sunday School)
Wei-Chen Chang, Hsin-Chen Hwuan, Wan-Hsing Lai, Hsan-Yong Tang, Li-Hsing Chang, Li-Fan Chang, Yu-Hsuan Liu, Jia-Ron Kao, Son-Ping Kao, Mei-Juin Gin, Hsr-Yin Huang, Gia-Pei Hwang, Gia-Ling Hwang, Gia-Hsing Wu, Jir-Yu Gin, Kai-Han Lin, Hsr-Hsen Hsui, Chiao-Jen Hsui, Chiao-hsuan Hsui

Congregations: St. Paul's Catholic Church Choir and Fu-Jen Catholic University Faculty Choir

Musicians: Organ and Piano: Wei-Yi Lin, Chio-Fan Don, Wen-Ling Lwao, Chien-Fu Don/ Trumpets: Chien-An Chen, Ying-Chi Huwn, Jei-Lwen Chi/ Trombone: Ron-Huei Shie/ Bariton: Kai-Lwen Huan/ Flutes: Goo-Ning Chang, Shu-Han Chang/ Recorders: Wan-Yuei Lai, Fan-Ting Li, Juin-Lin Hsao/ Harmonica: Tz-Li Yang/ Guitar: Juin-Hsui Chen/ Timpani, Jazz Drum: Chien-Fu Don/ Conga: Tin-Ru Tson/ Marimba: Chien-Fu Don, Tin-Ru Tson/ Tubular Bells: Yi-Tz Chu/ Violin: Wei-Yi Lin/ Cello: Pei-Yi Ho

Live Recording: St. Paul's Catholic Church, Taipei Archdiocese, Taiwan (2007.7.14)

Audio Production: Hao-Loen Hwan (HMP) and / Mixing and Mastering: Yong-Fu Jan

CD Design: Brother Damasus F. Yong, CDD, Paulus-Petrus I. Chang, Gabby Tsai

Our special thanks to the following people who support us with generosity:

Mr. Chen-shi Chang, St. Paul's Catholic Church Parishioner Commission, Mrs. Pei-juen Gong, Mrs. Irin I. Chen (Fu-bon Foundation), Mrs. Fu-tz Yen (Youth Office, Taipei Archdiocese), Mrs. Lin-Yong Lin, Mr. Ming-Yi Chiu, Mr. Steven S. Yao, Mrs. Martha H. Liu, Mrs. Yu-Ying Chen, Mr. Chen-Chiu Li.