Father Hemann wins Unity Award for best praise and worship song

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Oct. 25, 2007

Father David Hemann, a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City known for his original spiritual music, recently performed at the Orpheum Theater. But that theater wasn't the one located in downtown Sioux City, it was in Phoenix, Ariz. and was the venue for the 8th Annual Unity Awards.

Sponsored by the United Catholic Music and Video Association, the show was held on Oct. 6. Raymond Arroyo, EWTN journalist and book author, served as the master of ceremonies for the event that recognized excellence in Christian music, video and radio.

The diocesan priest was not only on hand to perform, but he was also up for five awards. He was nominated in these five categories:

*Gathered Wisdom was up for the best devotional album of the year.

*Gathered Wisdom was up for the best praise and worship album of the year.

*The song Mary Thrice Admirable was up for best devotional song of the year.

*The song Be Mine was up for the best liturgical/sacramental song of the year.

*The song Walk on Water was up for the best praise and worship song of the year.

"When I got to the hotel, they gave us a package of the overview of the night," recalled Father Hemann, who is pastor at Sacred Heart in Ida Grove and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Holstein. "After the intro was the opening song, Walk on Water. I was thrilled to see that I was the opening act."

Father Hemann played guitar and offered vocals and longtime friend Msgr. Michael Heras of Texas played piano.

"It was a highlight for me to perform," said Father Hemann.

When they were set to perform, it was Arroyo who introduced Father Hemann and Msgr. Heras.

"The curtain opened and there was a huge glitch in the sound system - a horrible feedback and buzzing sound that filled the Orpheum Theater. Then there was just dead silence, and I said, 'Don't worry, things like this happen to me every week at liturgy.'"

The sound system was fixed and he was able to perform "without a hitch."

In the end, Father Hemann took home one award. It was for Walk on Water - the best praise and worship song of the year. Given that it was the opening act, that is the one that he thought had the best chance to win.

"It is a powerful song with a powerful message," he said. "People seem to like it upon first hearing it."

When he offered comments as he accepted the award, Father Hemann explained that he thanked the people - other artists and people in the Christian music industry - for voting for him. He added, "I held up the award and said 'Things like this don't happen to me every week at liturgy, but something much greater happens every Sunday. Christ gives us his body and blood, soul and divinity through the Eucharist.' I asked my fellow musicians to continue to craft beautiful music that will continue to make the Lord known and praise his name in the world."

It was important for him to put the focus on God because that is why he and so many of the Christian musicians make their music.

For each category, there was an average of five to 10 nominations.

"I had told several people that if I receive one award, I'd be ecstatic and if I received none I would have still been happy because when you are nominated - you are already a winner," he said.

Artists from United States, Canada, South America and even parts of Europe were nominated for these awards.

While not many people could attend the awards show, several people caught it in the podcast.

This was not his first Unity Award. The priest received one in 2004 for an EWTN television show that he co-hosted with Msgr. Heras, Alive With Baptism. The award was for best religious television presentation for Catholic evangelization of the year.

"The show covered the seven sacraments and with it being a 13-part series, we addressed other dimensions of the Catholic life - living our baptism," explained Father Hemann.

After every episode, the show concluded with one of Father Hemann's original songs.

"What was disheartening was that the minute it went on the air, EWTN had just been pulled off the air in Sioux City," he said. "The funny thing is that we just got EWTN back in Sioux City and now the show is just running again."

That show is in reruns now on EWTN, airing at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays.

He will also be featured on another EWTN program called Backstage, which airs at 9 p.m. on Thursday. Father Hemann will perform songs and offer reflections during the 30-minute show. (No specific date for the airing has been set at this time but it is anticipated to air in next four to six weeks.)

The two priests are presently looking at doing another series.

Father Hemann is also working on his next album. He already has five songs for his next project titled, Psalms of David. It will be predominately classical guitar and vocals with the possibility of some harp.

The diocesan priest is also willing to present concerts at parishes in the diocese. With meditations and reflections sprinkled throughout the performance, many find his concerts to be like mini retreats.

"My concerts are prayers - 'whoever sings, prays twice' says St. Augustine," he said.

Father Hemann pointed out that he loves music at all levels. When he was a seminarian in Rome, he was the head of a liturgical music group for Masses and found there to be a "beautiful integration of organ and guitar music."

The two instruments can co-exist.

"You can play the organ, piano or guitar in a very irreverent way or you can play all three of those instruments in a very reverent and classical way. It is not the instrument - it's how you play them and pray them," he said.

Gathered Wisdom is for sale at www.fatherdavid.net or through traditional mail for $20 at Father David Hemann, PO Box 244, Ida Grove, IA 51445.