Contact: Erin McClellan, 503-460-5363, erinm@ocp.org; Kelcee Marcum, 503-460-5358, kelceem@ocp.org; both with OCP 

PORTLAND, Ore., March 17, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- In the latest round of the OCP Parish Grants, 79 parishes throughout the United States received over $135,000 of assistance. Since the start of the program in 2001, more than 500 churches have been awarded over $1,250,000 in total. Parishes in every diocese across country have received benefits.

"When we speak of stewardship and the giving of time, talent and treasure, we know that through your gift, we will be able to continue our mission," said Rev. Steve Rukavina of St. Mark's Catholic Community in Boise, Idaho a recipient of a 2011 OCP Parish Grant.

Applications for 2012 grants can be submitted between April 1 and June 30, 2011, at 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.

"It is a tremendous blessing to give back to these communities that work so hard to engage and unite followers of Christ by spreading the word of the Gospel." said John Limb, publisher.

A full list of 2011 OCP Parish Grant recipients is available at ocp.org/grants.

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. Find OCP on Facebook at Facebook.com/OCPmusic.