UK entry chosen for global Catholic song contest

Cherrie Anderson with Ooberfuse

Cherrie Anderson’s submission to the World Youth Day (WYD) 2011 global song contest has been given the thumbs up by a jury of ten young people. It is now in the race to be one of the top five songs to be sung to an audience of millions at the Madrid WYD later this year!*

Cherrie, from the electro-pop band Ooberfuse, said: "I am thrilled that 'Faith in You' has been approved by the jury responsible for selecting the songs. It is now up on the official website [http://madridmeencanta.org/nuevosvideo.php ] alongside 19 other entries... it is so exciting!!! It’s a bit like being in the Euro-vision song contest only entries come from all over the world. So far there are songs from the United States, France, Venezuela, Argentina, Italy and of course Spain. I really hope people like the track enough to give it their vote. It is a song that reflects upon my experience of the faith and my personal encounter with Jesus.’

The lyrics, inspired by the WYD theme ‘Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the Faith,’ explore what being rooted in the life of the spirit means for one young person. Taking a lead from Pope Benedict XVI’s message for WYD Madrid 2011, the song borrows Jeremiah’s image of a tree planted by a stream whose roots reach out to be nourished and sustained by the flowing water.

Cherrie said: "The video was shot in Walsingham. There is a fast flowing stream there that rushes through the Shrine with many trees extending their roots into the flowing water. Images of the Slipper Chapel are used to represent the house built on solid rock. The Slipper Chapel is of special significance for English Catholics as it survived the ravages of the Reformation being firmly grounded on the rock of faith that, as the song says ‘no river flood can shake."