I think most of us have a ‘love/hate’ relationship with school (or memories of school!). There’s the social aspect of a traditional school education; many show up each weekday morning in the school hallways only for this reason – to be close to friends. For others, the social part of school is exactly why they hate coming.

There’s also the learning part. Some love it, some can stand it. It can be a good challenge for many, too hard for others, or not challenging enough for some. You might have great teachers, mediocre teachers, or you might have a teacher who should have retired 20 years ago, but didn’t! With all of this in mind, why do we place such importance on education? Why do we continue to push ourselves to learn as children, adolescents, and throughout our adult lives?

For many, the quest for knowledge and wisdom are a source of strength and power. There’s no doubt that the most powerful people in the world are among the most educated! For others, education can mean a life a success and comfort – it’s a means to an end. In order to make a lot of money, you have to know something about making money – that means learning, good things or bad things. Then there are those who learn so they can be better equipped to serve. The more you know about the problems in the world, the better you can be at working out how to fix them

For Christians, studying, learning, and growing in knowledge and wisdom is a part of historical and cultural fabric. Our spiritual ancestors, the Jews, place a high importance on education, more specifically in the study of the sacred scriptures. As Christians, we carry on this practice of learning, not only in our faith life, but into the rest of our life as well. We understand that knowledge and wisdom are gifts from God given by the Holy Spirit. We recognize that there is no end to the mysteries of God, or the depths of the beauty of our faith. We will NEVER know everything about God, but for as long as we strive to learn more about him, God will reveal himself and the intentions of his heart to us.

You see, striving after the wisdom and knowledge that God wants to give us is part of the Gospel call to ‘pick up’ our own cross and follow Jesus. It is a form of humility when we can say, ‘I don’t know everything; Teach me, Lord!’

As we begin this new academic year (or continue in one), let us be reminded that education is a gift that not everyone is privileged to have; that God himself is an infinite mystery and his love is deep and that he desires for us to learn about him and to know his ways ever more each day.

Peace, -Peter.

Read this Sunday’s scriptures here.

They tell you to say, ‘I am the greatest.’

Jesus says, ‘I am the least.’

They tell you to say, ‘It’s all about me.’

Jesus says, ‘Lay down your life for others.’

They tell you to ‘do what you want, how you want, when you want.’

Jesus says, ‘Be patient, wait for God’s time, and serve others first.’

They tell you to ‘seek the approval of your peers and of those in power.’

Jesus says, ‘seek only the love and desires of God.’

There’s a huge chasm between what ‘They’ want for you and what Jesus wants for you. On one hand ‘They’ are telling you that you need to look out for your own needs and passions and that you should get what you want, no matter the cost. Jesus, on the other hand, tells us that the true way to happiness is to humble ourselves, to become ‘less than,’ and to offer our lives up to God and to the service and love of others.

Humility is a bittersweet thing. Humble people are often respected, but not taken seriously. The Humble are lifted up as role models, but aren’t often replicated. Especially in American society and western culture, humility is viewed as a fault more than a strength. So why choose humility over individualism?

Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that those who humble themselves in this life, will be exalted in the next. The reward of a meek and humble life here is the glory of God in heaven. The first reading tells us that the humble of heart will be loved ‘more than the giver a gifts.’ We all know how much we love the people who give us presents! The writer, Sirach, lets us know that listening is better than talking, and that it’s better to speak ‘proverbs’ (wisely), than to pretend you know everything about everything. ‘Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.’

Humility is to put others before oneself, to understand one’s own limitations, to be okay with not being the ‘greatest,’ and recognizing that God is greater than everything. Humility is service without complaining, loving without conditions, making friends without boundaries, and forgiving no matter what. Humility IS the Christian way.

This week, say a prayer asking God for the gift of humility. As God for the strength to live humbly and to strength to be okay with it.

Peace, -Peter

Discipline is a word that makes most people cringe. Others love the word a little too much. Then there are those who seem to have never heard of the concept of discipline! But anyone who is good at what they do, embraces disciple. Professional musicians practice for hours every day. Athletes have regimented tasks in their workouts. CEO’s and successful business people have disciplined ways of working and getting others to work well.  As Christians, we are supposed to live disciplined lives in order to grow closer to God. A disciple follows the discipline of his teacher and Master.

In this week’s second reading God is likened to a parent who must discipline His children, but it is a discipline of love. What would life be like if your mom or dad didn’t use discipline? Of course it’s fun to think about what life would be like if you could do whatever you felt like, but just imagine the consequences of an undisciplined life. Your room might be so messy that it would be infested with rodents and insects. Your diet would be so unhealthy that you could get very sick. If you slept in and missed school everyday you wouldn’t be able to succeed well in life! Your manners might become so bad that no one would want to be your friend! Discipline in our lives is what helps to keep order and move us forward so that we are able to live full and healthy lives.

Discipline in our spiritual lives is the same. God encourages us to live disciplined lives free of sin, full of prayer, service, kindness, and humility. Discipline isn’t easy to have, and the writer of the second reading knew this when he wrote: “At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Following the ‘Way of Christ’ can be difficult at times and isn’t always fun. However, doing God’s will has rewards not only in the future, but others, especially those in greatest need, benefit from our disciplined Christian action.

Each day we must ask the Lord for strength to live out our faith with a sense of discipline and dedication. That way we can grow closer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Peace! Peter

Through out my life as a Catholic, one of the most difficult things for me to accept has been the emphasis given to Mary, the mother of Jesus. I’ve never been comfortable with the amount of attention she gets, nor have I been easy with some of the teachings that revolve around her.

A few years ago the state of my uneasiness came to a head. Up until that point I had refused to pay any attention to the reasons why such honor was given to Mary, I simply did my absolute best to ignore her existence. At this point in my life I was living with and surrounded by a group of devout Catholic young people who loved Mary. They didn’t worship her, they didn’t pray TO her, and they didn’t fixate on her 24 hours a day. Instead they honored her as the Mom of Jesus, as the mother of their best friend and King. I had a hard time being around people who acknowledged Mary as a part of their faith, but as I became closer to these friends, I found myself becoming softened to the idea of Mary in my life.

Soon I found myself comfortable enough to allow myself to address Mary as friend, advocate, and intercessor. In time I let myself ask her for her prayers as I would with a friend or any other Saint. I recognized Mary as a disciple of Jesus, the FIRST disciple! I realized that Mary was a beautiful example of Christian sacrifice and discipleship in her ‘Yes’ to becoming the Mother of God. I saw her as an advocate of Social Justice in her song of praise, the Magnificat, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant…He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” Mary became a real person to me. Mary wasn’t some sort of ‘goddess’ set up and worshiped by crazy people. No, Mary was an important figure in the coming of Christ and ultimately the salvation of the world.

Today is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. Tradition tells us that on this day, Mary did not die, instead she was taken up into heaven, body and soul. Rather than getting hung up on the details, it is important for us to remember that Mary, the mother of the Savior, seeks only to direct us to Jesus. She seeks no glory for herself, she is an example of discipleship and Christian humility. Through Mary the King of Creation came into this world. God continues to use Mary to draw us closer to his throne. On this day, let’s be thankful for Mary and all that God has accomplished through her. May God use us in a similar fashion. May God draw others to him through our lives of discipleship.

Peace. Peter.

When I was a kid my dad used to say, “When people know that you are a Christian, they will watch you do and listen to what you say more closely to make sure you are living out what you say you believe.”

It’s true, when others find out that you call yourself a Christian, they want to see if you can actually do it. Many watch, waiting for Christian to screw it up because being a Christian, although a simple idea, is extremely radical and difficult to live constantly. However, today’s Gospel reminds us that “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

As followers of Jesus, and as members of an ancient spiritual family that goes back to the time of Abraham (over 3,850 years!), we have been entrusted with something very valuable: the faith of our salvation in Jesus Christ. So what is it that is required of us who are ‘entrusted with so much?’ The prophet Micah gives us some insight to this, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

To do justice is to work for equality and rights in the life and dignity of every human person, to love and serve the poor, the immigrant, the elderly and the vulnerable in our families, in our local and global communities, and to care for all life and creation.

To love kindness is to treat all people with care and respect. Kindness is to refrain from gossip, sarcasm, swearing, and all other ways of tearing others apart through word. To love kindness is to respect all people whether or not they are your friends, even if they are your enemy.

To walk humbly with God is to remember who’s in charge, that our life and all we have are a gift from God and that it could all be taken away from us at any moment. Humility with God is to be able to pray to Him, to ask God for help, to be thankful to Him, and to admit our human failures and weaknesses, to reconcile our faults to Him when we have sinned. It’s to let God be God, and submit our lives fully to his will.

These are the things that people are watching for in our lives, and it’s what God is expecting from us as His children. It’s never easy to be the example, or to be watched so closely by others. That’s where God’s mercy and grace come in. We are always able to ask for guidance and help along the way!

Peace. Peter

When I was a teenager (you already know this is going to be good), I used to collect small trinkets, odds and ends that I could associate with a special memory or place. I collected a ridiculous amount of stuff (everything can become sentimental if one so desires!). I had all sorts of stuff cluttering my room like an Aladdin McDonald’s toy to help remind me of the time I ate at Mc Donald’s with my friends on the last day of my 8^th grade year – silly.

You should have seen my room! I was a packrat to the Nth degree! I had shelves full of odd Star Wars, characters, Superman things, and all thing Kermit the Frog! Bells and arrow heads, pictures and posters of beautiful images covering my walls and ceiling. I loved stuff. The more off it I could have, the happier I I thought I was! And if it was silly, random stuff, all the better.

Then something happened. I went overseas for a year, and all I had with me was a suitcase with a week’s worth of clothes, my guitar, and a few pictures and CD’s. I lived an entire year in utmost simplicity, and I loved it. When I returned home to my room full of stuff, I was  overwhelmed at the amount of things I had piled up. While I was away, I didn’t miss any of that stuff, so when I came home, I realized that this stuff wasn’t at all  important, and a lot of it was just junk.  Then I started sorting through it all. I kept some of the things that had held some importance attached to them, but the rest I just threw away. I felt free.

Stuff can get in the way. Things can become more important in our lives than they really are. The more we have, the less we are able to actually LIVE.  Today’s readings give us an understanding into something that plagues American culture – the NEED for stuff.

St. Paul reminds us that real life is found in Christ, not in material wealth or accumulation of things. God doesn’t care about how many ‘toys’ we pile up in our lifetime (the one with the most ‘toys’ in the ends actually DOESN’T win!). Instead, God cares about our relationships, how we treat one another, how we support those in greatest need, and how we live our lives as holy disciples of Jesus. It’s this kind of stuff that will bring us ultimate joy, not the short lived excitement of owning a new car, or 6 flat screen TV’s or even the latest generation of iPhone.

Jesus says this in the Gospel reading, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Life is so much more than the size of the house we live in, than the brand of clothes we wear, eating out every night, or having the latest and greatest of everything.  A simple life is the life of a Christian disciple, a life lived for others, not for one’s self.

This week might be a good time to sort through all of your ‘stuff.’ What do you own that has any real meaning? What is necessary? What helps you to be a better follower of Jesus? Everything else you can give away, or throw away!

Peace. Peter.

Have you ever had a great conversation that lasted into the wee hours of the night? Do you have a friend you could talk with forever about anything and everything? One of the signs of a good friendship is the ability to talk freely and listen well to each other. I know I’m blessed to have had a number of these kind of friends throughout my life!

Conversation is also important in our friendship with God. After all, what more is prayer than time spent talking freely and listening well to God?

St. Paul reminds us in today’s first reading that Jesus paved the way for us to speak one on one with our creator. Through his death on the cross, Jesus removed the sin and transgression that separated us from having a close relationship with the Father. In the Gospel, Jesus takes time to teach us how we should pray. It is in this passage that we are given the Lord’s Prayer, or the ‘Our Father…’

Our God isn’t a feudal lord who hovers over his slaves with a whip waiting for us to do something wrong. He isn’t a smug king who refuses to listen to his subjects, nor is he a neglectful father who ignores the needs and desires of his children. No, our God is loving master, a merciful king, and a loving father. He only wants what is best for us, he wants us to know and understand him, and to feel his unconditional love in our lives. So how do we get to know God and his love better? We talk with God

In the first reading, God is speaking to Abraham about the possibility of destroying the corrupt cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham feels free enough to able to ask God to spare the city if he can find innocent people residing there, and God listens openly to Abraham’s pleas. In the second half of the Gospel, Jesus says that when we pray we can ‘ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’

In our prayer with God we have been given the opportunity to ask God to fulfill the needs and desires in our life, and we know that listens and answers according to his plan. We have also been told to seek after God, to explore him and his many faces, to learn to know him and understand his way. And God wants us to run after him, to come into his family, to his home, to knock on his door and show him how much we want to be near him.

Prayer isn’t just meant to make us feel good, it’s not some superstition to satisfy our restless souls. Prayer does allow us to speak to God about anything and everything, freely and openly. It allows us to quiet ourselves and listen to the voice of the creator, to know and understand the love that brought the universe into being, and to delve deeper into the mysteries of life.

This week, take some time each day to have a conversation with God, to speak freely and listen well. You will be blest!

Peace. Peter.

Can you think of a time when someone important came to you home? Maybe family you don’t see often, a priest or religious, or friends of your parents? Can you remember how you prepared for their coming? How did you treat that person when he or she arrived? What did you and your family do to welcome them and make them feel honored in your home?

In today’s first reading, God shows up at Abraham’s home, and in the Gospel, Jesus is a guest at Martha and Mary’s house. In both stories, God is treated as honored guests. Abraham welcomes his guests with by washing their feet, giving them a place to rest, and by preparing a feast for them. Martha busies herself with cleaning and cooking, and Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and keeps him company.

We are reminded that God wants to be welcomed into our homes as well. How do we prepare ourselves and our homes to be welcoming places to God, our most honored guest? Are you willing to open the door of your heart and let him in and to serve him, to listen to him, to let him rest in you? Paul reminds us in the second reading that when we open our hearts to the love of God we are transformed into new dwelling places for his Spirit.

Our faith urges us to go one step further. We are to welcome one another, and most especially the stranger as honored guests. We are to treat the stranger as Christ himself. When we welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and serve those in need we honor God in these people. The monks and nuns in the Benedictan order practice hospitality as one of their most important rules. When a stranger comes to their monasteries or convents, the Benedictans honor that person as if they are Christ himself. They are given a royal treatment!

How do we treat the strangers in our society? In our Church? In our schools or workplaces? The immigrant, the illegal alien, the person with strange customs and foreign culture, these are the people to whom the most honor should be given when we welcome them into our lives and our homes. Having a guest of honor in your home can be hard work, but when that Guest is God himself we are blest beyond measure!

Peace. Peter.

It’s not rocket science, that’s for sure. You don’t even need a degree in theology to figure it out. You could probably even be able to get it if you were new to it. Being a Christian is all about two simple commands: Love God the more you love than anything else; love others like you expect to be loved. When God gave his people these commandments he made sure that they were simple and easy to understand. You didn’t have to be a holy prophet, a priest, or some sort of monk or guru to grasp the mysteries of the faith. God made sure that anyone and everyone would be able understand what it would take to follow him. Why then, is it still so difficult for us to actually live out these commandments?

The Good Samaritan is a story that almost everyone can relate to. A Jewish guy gets mugged on a dangerous road. Two supposedly ‘holy men’ walk by him and do their very best to ignore the broken man. In the end a random stranger decides to help him. One of the things that makes this story so powerful is that the stranger was a Samaritan. In the time of Jesus the Jewish people hated Samaritans! During the Babylonian conquest and rule over Israel (721- 538 BC) the Assyrians sent immigrants to occupy Israel, specifically in the region of Samaria, and many of these people married Jews and converted to Judaism. When the exiled Israelites returned, they were upset to find strangers living in their land claiming to be Jewish even though they were not descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. This was a major insult to the Israelites, and they decided to hate the people who were now living in their homeland.

So many silly things can get in the way of our following God’s simple commandments. Jesus was showing us just how foolish we can be sometimes. It shouldn’t matter who a person is, or where they come from, race, sex, belief or place in the social order, we should love others in the way that God asks us to – to love others as we love ourselves. It’s not rocket science, everyone deserves love – and love means helping those in greatest need.

There’s a lot of work to be done in our country, our community, our schools and even in our selves when it come to actually living out the most important parts of our faith. How we talk about others, how we treat them, even how we think about them can help us be better followers of Jesus. Remember, God made all of us, and he loves us all the same. Let’s take his example and love and serve all people equally. Peace. Peter.

Peace. What is peace? How is it obtained? How is it sustained?

In biblical times, the people of Israel were often living under the oppressive rule of some foreign emperor or ruling kingdom. This meant that they were treated less than humane, as if their lives were worthless. Often times the way the ruling government would keep control was to inflict war, torture, poverty, and slavery on their subjects. If there was any peace at all, it was only a façade, the absence of visible violence. Yet in this feigned peace there was always fear and the ever present possibility for violence against the downtrodden. The Jews experienced this way of life for almost a thousand years by the time Jesus came around.

So when Jesus spoke about being peacemakers, loving your enemies, and letting your own peace rest on someone, he was really making a huge, counter-cultural statement that must have rocked the boat in Israel. How could it ever be possible to show peace to those who will not give you peace, and will even take it away? What kind of peace must you have so that you can give it away so freely? Perhaps it can only be the kind of peace that comes from God.

This week’s first reading describes the depression the Israelites felt after the Babylonians destroyed their holy city, Jerusalem, and their temple. But it also urges God’s people to take comfort, because God is bigger than the evil that was done to them and his love and comfort is more powerful than the armies of the enemy. God reminds them that if they keep their heart on him, everything will be alright in the end.

In the Gospel, Jesus sends out his disciples to continue his work of preaching, healing, and performing miracles. As the go, he instructs them to share their ‘peace’ with those the encounter. The idea of sharing one’s peace is a powerful statement. As Paul describes in the second reading, we receive God’s peace through the love of Christ shown in his death on the cross. This peace lives in us as a fruit of the Holy Spirit and is an endless gift that we can give away freely to the world.

We are reminded that peace is shared and not forced upon others. Peace is grown out of love, not supplanted through acts of violence or war meant to establish peace. Peace is introduced through the humble and meek, not through the powerful and greedy. Peace can never truly come through war or hatred, peace can only come through selflessness and sacrifice. Peace can only be where love has made a way.

Peace.
Peter.

I just got back from an incredible week in Detroit, Michigan. How can anything be incredible about Detroit, besides the poverty and despair of the city? While I was in Detroit, I spent time as the prayer and music coordinator for Young Neighbors in Action (www.youngneighbors.org) with high school students from Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Ohio as they served the poor and those in most desperate need and learned what our Bishops have to say about social justice. It was a truly inspirational week as I saw nine work sites become transformed not only by the work performed, but more over by the love and hope these young people shared. Thanks to everyone who made it such a great week. Peace!

Check out my upcoming summer performances and events. I am also accepting bookings for summer and fall.

Contact me at booking@peterbierer.com for booking information.

All Creation Groans is now for sale at St. Paul, MN Catholic Book Store, St. Patrick's Guild! Stop in and ask for it:-)

Congratulations to Connie Bach, winner of a new iPod Nano from Peter Bierer Music! Thanks to everyone who bought a CD and entered the contest at last week's show with Steve Angrisano!

Check out my Peter's Peace blog at MyCatholicVoice.com

http://blogs.mycatholicvoice.com/peterbierer1/

Well, we're back from the National Catholic Youth Conference held last weekend in Kansas City! What an incredible event - as usual. I am constantly blown away by the passion and commitment shown by the 'young church' and I am amazed at their ability to change the world we live in all for the glory of God.

I just want to say thanks to everyone who stopped me to say hello and for those of you who used my Peace Pilgrim video series - thank you for watching!

Peace!
-Peter

Here's the final episode of my NCYC Preparation Series - Peace Pilgrim - Enjoy the walk back down the mountain!

-Peter
http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/GRibeA

Here are the latest episodes in my NCYC Prep series! A little over two weeks to go until the National Catholic Youth Conference!

Ep. 4 Community
http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/dLeOub

Ep. 5 Rest, Reflection and Prayer
http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/Vesq0L

Ep. 6 The Destination
http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/m6xJgV

Check it out! This one's about Baggage. Peace!

http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/ElsbXa

Check it out! A new CD review for 'All Creation Groans'

http://gvcatholicmusicreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/cd-reviews-rocking-romans-alexandra.html

Check out the second episode of my NCYC Pilgrimage Series!

http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/V1n6jc

Check out my latest project, a pilgrimage video preparation series for the National Catholic Youth Conference. This is my first episode of seven, check it out!

http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/X9L2hV

Just wanted to drop a line letting you know that 'All Creation Groans' is now available for download on www.MyCatholicVoice.com! Thanks to MCV for supporting the music and the faith.

I'll also be contributing content to MCV from time to time, so check it out :-)

Well, I just returned over the weekend from two intense weeks working for Young Neighbors in Action (YNIA), a nation-wide, week long Catholic service-learning experience for high school students put on by the Center for Ministry Development. That means it's good.

During the two weeks I worked in Green Bay, WI and Chicago, IL as the prayer and music coordinator. It was my honor and privilege to work with young people in developing prayer services to enhance the mission of the week. And let me tell you, these youth were amazing!

In Green Bay YNIA was test piloting an Environmental Justice Week. The young people came from all over (Iowa, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts). They worked diligently at an Organic farm, a self-sustainable retreat house, the the Brown county extension office, with a local park clearing invasive plant species, and a wildlife park; all learning in depth about the importance of caring for God's creation, the seventh principal of Catholic Social teaching.

In Chicago, there were 80 youth and adults from Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska. These groups were mainly working in the inner city in churches, food pantries, thrift stores, child care, and more. The work they did was amazing.

What I love so much about YNIA is that these young people who are so passionate about being change in the world, are also passionate about their faith. During the week we recognize that the good we do is a response to our faith, the call Jesus makes on our life. And that without these good deeds, our faith is dead. Inevitably these young people always understand this truth by the end of the week.

There are too many stories to share at this time, but if you were on one of these YNIA's, feel free to post you stories on my peter bierer fan page on Facebook or email me with your stories!

Thanks again to all of the youth and adults who worked so hard these last two weeks to be the hands and feet, the mouth and heart of Jesus.

Peace, -Peter

www.youngneighbors.org
www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Peter-Bierer/29199475904

I've just posted the dates I will be leading prayer and music for Young Neighbors in Action this summer! I'll be in Green Bay, WI June 14-20 for the first ever YNIA Environmental Justice Week! Then I'm off to Chicago June 21-27 for a good 'ol YNIA.

Young Neighbors is a summer service-learning program for high school youth from around the nation. I've been working with YNIA since 2002 and I believe it's one of the best 'mission trips' available for Catholic Youth today! Learn more at www.youngneighbors.org

Peace!
-Peter

Thank you to Sacred Heart Church in Waseca who hosted a concert on Saturday night! We celebrated an end to their Generations of Faith year with 'Music as Prayer.'

We had a great time, the full band performed, and the community who attended the concert were so welcoming and gracious. Thank you again! Photos will be up soon!

Hey Friends,

I just got word that All Creation Groans is now available for sale on www.catholicmusicnetwork.com

Check it out and don't forget to leave a review!

Peace.

Hello Friends! When you go to Peter Bierer's MySpace page you are now able to listen to more music from All Creation Groans!

We'll soon have all the music up here on peterbierer.com.

Keep stopping by for more info on upcoming shows and news.

Don't forget to leave reviews for All Creation Groans when you by the album or songs online.

Peace!

Hello Everybody! I just got word that Relevant Radio in the Twin Cities wants to air a song from All Creation Groans on their program 'The Nightwatch,' their contemporary Catholic music show.

"The Nightwatch" airs live on Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., with an encore play on Sunday night/Monday morning from midnight to 3.

You can listen online at www.relevantradio1330.com

Thanks to Relevant Radio for being the first to air ACG!

Peace,
-Peter

Well, here we are, a brand new website! I'm very excited about this because now you can get information on my music, shows, stay in touch and much more.

Take some time to hang around, listen to some music, and don't forget to spread the word!

Many thanks to Jonathan Kratzke of Creative Culture Media for his work on the site.

Enjoy!
-Peter

A little bit of everything, 'All Creation Groans' moves effortlessly between genres and styles taking the listener on a creative and spiritual journey.

Minnesota singer/songwriter, Peter Bierer, serves up a variety of tantalizing treats with his debut release, All Creation Groans. No two songs are alike on this album, written in a variety of styles and subjects, All Creation Groans is a journey through life. The listener travels from life’s joys, through the struggles of the “valleys” and the “dark night of the soul,” and on again to the mountain tops.

“The songs on this album represent eight years of writing and eight very different years of my life,” Bierer says, “That’s part of the reason why so many of the songs sound completely different from one another. I also enjoy different music styles and I don’t tend to write in one singular genre. It’s part of the challenge and the joy of composition, to write in a variety of styles.”

The opening track, 'Creation,' is a Tom Jones meets Sesame Street in church sort of song, complete with “la la las” and “beep bops.” However, as one continue through the album he soon runs into the jazzy pop sounds of 'In the Silence' and 'Through the Valley' the funk/soul style of 'Alone' and to the driving, folk-rock tune, 'Warriors' (complete with a classic reggae section at the end of the song). Peter changes things up again in 'Long Time,' a haunting pre-Messianic song with Appalachian folk-hymn-esque harmonies, and 'Dry Bones,' a stirring bluesy rendition of the biblical story of the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of, well, dry bones.

These songs are only the beginning, all twelve tracks on All Creation Groans are sure to please.

Hello again! This is just a note to let you know that All Creation Groans is now on iTunes! You can also get the music at CDBaby.com, Amazon Mp3, Napster, Shockhound.com, and eMusic.com.

Remember to leave a review when you buy the music. The more reviews I get the more publicity I get. Thanks everyone for your support!

Peace this Christmas season,

-Peter

Hello Friends! I just wanted to let you know that All Creation Groans is now available fro purchase online!

You can by a hard copy of the CD at www.cdbaby.com/cd/peterbierer
I recommend this so you can get the artwork and lyrics as well as all of the music!

You can also download the music at amazon.com and emusic.com.

iTunes will be selling the songs in a couple weeks, so check back often if that's your preferred method of music listening.

Don't forget to leave a review when you purchase the music, the more reviews the more free publicity I get from the stores!

Thanks for all of you support, peace and blessings!
-Peter

Hello Friends! It's been a while since I've been able to sit down and do some communicatin' (Work, wife, child, Summer Camps, YNIA Detroit, etc). Well, now that I'm about ready to fly off to Australia, I thought I should drop you all a line or two.

This Sunday I'm flying off to Australia for the World Youth Day Celebrations! Whoopee! My journey will begin in Brisbane, I'll be taking part in the Days in the Diocese there and performing at the Heart of the City Fiesta on the International Stage on July 12 at 11:50am. Just a short little set:-)

Next I'll be flying off to Sydney for World Youth Day! I'm very excited to be there for the celebrations! I will be performing on Friday night, July 18, at 8pm at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour. I have a full set and will be playing with a band of Aussies - Dan Ryan on Drums and Takimitsu Tanimoto on Bass. This should be a great show!

After that I'll be flying off to Adelaide - my wife's hometown - we'll be there for two weeks. I'm still in the process of setting up a show for late July/Early August. Stay tuned for more details!

Perhaps you've been wondering about this Recording project I've been working on. Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that it's almost finished! The bad news is that it won't be finished in time to take it with me to World Youth Day. The release date is set for Mid August (so, not really a 'date' yet - but stay tuned!) You will hear about the CD release concert/party and be able to download the music on your favorite website, or purchase a hard copy from a variety of venues.

Thanks for your continued support, you will be hearing from me again before I return from the Land Down Under. Pray fro our safe travels and my performances, and I'll be keeping you all in my prayers!

Peace, - Peter