Contact: Ben Peterson, PR Specialist, OCP, 503-460-5363

PORTLAND, Ore., May 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- In the latest round of the OCP Parish Grants awards, 69 parishes throughout the United States received over $135,000 of assistance. Since the inception of the program in 2001, more than 450 churches in total have been awarded over $930,000. Parishes in every diocese in the country have received benefits.

"I believe the timing of this grant award is an act of divine providence," said Scott C. Pluff, Director of Music Ministries for Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Church in St. Louis, one of this year's grant winners. "I had no idea how to maintain four growing choirs without a budget for purchasing music. When I learned of this grant award, my heart leapt for joy!"

Applications for 2010 grants can be submitted between April 30 and June 30, 2009, at www.ocp.org/grants. All U.S. Catholic parishes are eligible to apply, even if they don't currently use an OCP worship program. The purpose of the grant must be linked to liturgy and/or music.

"Service to the Church is one of the guiding principles of our company," said John Limb, publisher. "We're a not-for-profit, but we are a successful company, thanks in large part to the support we've received from churches. Being in a position to give back to the communities that have helped us spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a tremendous blessing."

About OCP
OCP, a not-for-profit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources based in Portland, Oregon, has been in operation for more than 80 years. Worship programs produced by OCP are used in two-thirds of Catholic churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide. More information is available at 1-800-LITURGY (548-8749) and ocp.org.