Composer
Page 4
continued
On page 43 of Appointments II, Delaney read: "The Little King gave me a big hug and then turned to go up the ramp. When he had gone halfway up, he stopped, then turned to me and said, 'Mr. Zvonec, thank you for writing our book. The title must be Appointments II. An artist will soon be contacting you. She will find a publisher for our book. I am very pleased with you.'" Suddenly, a strong, unmistakable kick into Delaney's chest, near her heart, startled her. Delaney knew the words were directed to her! As tears flowed, she accepted the task the Little King set before her. "Who am I that You should ask me?" Each story is about "The Little King's Book of Peace." Father continued, "And so I am placing Appointments II and Appointments with the Little King in your hands." Please pray for a publisher, dear reader.
Our Lord impressed upon Delaney to come by Fr. Jim's side by 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 7, 2010. As she drove into the outskirts of Salt Lake City at approx. 2:20 p.m., huge gusts of powerful winds shook her auto. Sister knew there was little time left. She arrived at 2:40 p.m. The head Sister at St. Joseph Villa exclaimed, "I've never seen anything like this! Father has been waiting for you." Bringing the shiny porcelain Infant Jesus of Prague statuette from Our Lady Victorious in Prague, Delaney showed Father at his eye level. Father smiled.
Delaney sang my song, Before We Go (Our Separate Ways). The lyrics were nearing the end: "May the Angels lead you into Paradise and take you to the Holy City. Open the Gates of Paradise. Hasten to meet dear Jim. Receive his soul, O God. Receive his soul, O God. Open the Gates." Father Jim breathed his last breath. Jim's Appointment with the Little King was ordained during the 3 o'clock hour of Divine Mercy at 3:03 p.m. on August 7, 2010.
Delaney's music has been featured on radio stations KFAX Apostolato Radio Cristiana (ARC), La Parola/Radio Mass, San Francisco CA, and KKUP, Cupertino CA. Her first radio interview was on St. Valentine's Day, February 14, 2011. King of Hearts and other songs inspired listeners on the lay Catholic Radio show, Religion, Politics, and the Culture with host and interviewer, Dennis O'Donovan (+
) in South Florida.
On July 26, 2012, Delaney established the Foundation for Sacred Music Composers, a non-profit organization to further encourage and inspire composers, both financially and spiritually. Their first International Sacred Music Composers Competition opened in 2012. One of the foundation's goals is to establish a place of retreat at a monastery or abbey: a sacred sanctuary to provide a setting of serenity and openness to receive the promptings of the Holy Spirit. An artist-in-residence program also could be established, to spread the joy and depth of sacred, devotional, church, and liturgical music.
At 2:17 p.m., August 7, 2012, Delaney received a phone call from one of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart on the campus of her alma mater, Convent of the Sacred Heart (now Sacred Heart Preparatory), Menlo Park CA. Sister Ann was calling to donate an Infant Jesus of Prague statue to Delaney. The statue had been in a closet for two years. Sound familiar? Just as the original Prazské Jezulátko had been found by Father Cyril of the Mother of God, the statue was lain in the dust, damaged, and forgotten.
Delighted, Delaney visited Sister Ann at Oakwood to embrace the forgotten statue. Delaney believes this gift is from our Little King and from one now in the Kingdom, (Father) Jim Janda. When Delaney brings communion to the sick or shares the devotion, she lovingly brings this pilgrim statue to delight others. This ministry continues to this day.
Let the Beating Heart is Delaney's "Chant for Life," originally composed in 2009. This moving chant interjects names of the unborn, compiled from mothers who have experienced abortions or miscarriage losses. Delaney encourages women and men to name their unborn. This has proven to be an emotional experience, whereby the parent(s) feel(s) a greater connection to their lost one who is with God. As the chant is sung while marching, any name may be called/cried out.
Let the Beating Heart is also fitting for Prayer Vigils, masses, and prayer services. For the first time, during the Annual Walk for Life West Coast on January 25, 2025 in San Francisco, Let the Beating Heart was sung by Delaney and John Eke (Choir Director from St. Francis of Assisi Church, East Palo Alto, CA). The hope is to also have this chant sung for the annual March for Life rallies and marches in Washington DC, the Sanctity of Human Life (SOHL) Sunday, and the National Sanctity of Life annual observance.
Líbera Nos, Dómini (Free Us, Lord): A Litany for Our Time (originally composed in 1993) is on Delaney's second album, On Your Behalf. Currently, this chant is even more relevant during recent world struggles, such as technology clashes, political upheavals, religious wars, divisions in churches, collapse of societies, loss of cultural identities, family disintegration, addictions, and unrest. Each phrase reaches into one's soul, calling for a deeper relationship to God. "And it shall come to pass in that day, the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people from all four corners of the world..." (Isaiah 11:11).