In a message sent out on social media today, John Limb made known his intention to step down sometime next year as Publisher of Oregon Catholic Press. Next year will be Limb’s twenty-fifth year as Publisher at OCP, a quarter century which he calls “the best years of [his] life.”
Limb emphasized that he “care[s] deeply about OCP – our staff, composers, custumors, and all our partners in ministry.” This decision is being made so as to allow for a smooth transition.
Limb met earlier in October with Archbishop Sample, bishop of Portland, to discuss his decision, and he notes that Sample was complimentary of his years of service to OCP. Limb expresses his gratitude to the archbishop for his support the past three years.
The Archbishop and the Board of Directors have asked Limb to be available to the OCP in an “emeritus” role for the next five years. This is intended to provide continuity, institutional memory, perspective, and strategic input.
Kathleen Doyle-White of Scout Search Inc., who has worked for OCP for many years, will lead the process of identifying and hiring a successor. This task will begin immediately.
Limb stated,
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve these many years as OCP’s Publisher. The best part of the job has without a doubt been the people. I could not have achieved anything were it not for your hard work. Thank you for your support, for your friendship, and for the opportunity to serve God’s people at this very special place called OCP.
Oregon Catholic Press was founded as the Catholic Truth Society in 1922. It now employs over 150 people. OCP publishes liturgical music, books, choral collections, hymnals, missals, and support materials for the Catholic Church in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese.
Pray Tell wishes the very best to John, and to OCP!
Way to go, John!
Welcome to the rank of post Vatican II leaders, cantors, liturgists, and well wishers. This year marks my retirement from the editorship of the GIAQuaterly of GIA Publications ( 1990-2015).Some will see us as’survivors’ and other see us as being very, very wise. I sense that we see each other as ‘well done good and faithful servants.’
Ad multo annos. Fred Moleck
It’s difficult to overstate the contributions that OCP, GIA and WLP have made to sung Catholic worship in the US. I don’t believe John Limb has had a particularly high profile in Catholic worship circles, but his years of service manifestly have been very fruitful.
Recalling the hymn of the late 1960s by Michael Cockett and Kevin Mayhew, ‘Where would be with without Christ our Lord?’, I can’t but ask the same question of OCP: Where would we be without John Limb? Following the amazing leadership of Owen Alstott, John forged ahead into the 21st Century by collaboratively building a company which, in Martin Luther’s “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott”, has become both truly a mighty fortress and a city high on a hilltop rock. In his years at OCP, he has successfully absorbed the music of the Amsterdam Churches, the Glory and Praise repertoire of the St Louis Jesuits, the wealth of the London St Thomas More Center for Pastoral Liturgy, the fledgling Cooperative Ministries of Washington DC, the entire World Library catalgoue, the new Spirit and Song tradition, the integration of the Hispanic, Vietnamese and Filipino traditions, and this is only scratching the surface of his legacy. John, may you enjoy a peaceful and untrammeled withdrawal, because I know the word ‘retirement’ is not in your vocabulary.
@Tony Barr:
Just a clarification here; John Limb and OCP did not absorb “the entire World Library catalogue.”
@Jerry Galipeau:
You must have missed a memo on that…
@Jerry Galipeau:
I think he meant NALR…
@Tony Barr:
Very well-put, Tony Barr. Thank you.
I somehow managed to not notice, when typing my previous comment, that the preceding comment was from Fred Moleck. Mr. Moleck, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to you as well – GIA Quarterly has been a gift to the church. And I wish you a happy, healthy and long retirement.
And how nice to see Tony Barr commenting here 🙂
John, thank you for your dedicated and fruitful service to God and the Church. Twenty-three years ago a friend handed me a copy of Music Issue and Today’s Liturgy and I have been ministering with OCP worship resources ever since. May God bless you in your future endeavors.
Yes, assuming the mantle of post-Lutheran angst, and being able to pinpoint my distraction to having lived in St Cloud for a little too long, I mistakenly interchanged WLP with NALR, don’tcha know. This is the only known place in the United States where there have been no known alien abductions. When the aliens did land, they liked it so much they stayed!
Not only all the accolades but for John Limb…OCP is an annual top ten of “Best Places to Work In Oregon.” Not too many Catholic organizations would get that kind of recognition.
My best also to Dr. Moleck. He is one who could make a toy organ sing.