These performers don’t strut on stage and wear dark sunglasses, and they’re not likely to audition for American Idol. But they’ve got a hit on their hands that’s much bigger than any of them anticipated.

The choir of Sacred Heart Parish in Red Bluff recently released its first recording as part of a yearlong parish centennial celebration. Response to “A Liturgical Year in Song” has been overwhelming in terms of both sales and positive comments, choir director Marie Stricker said.

“The way it has turned out has been so surprising to me,” she said of the numerous letters the choir has received from parishioners and former pastors. “Making a CD involved more than I ever imagined. It was a true learning experience.”

The first recording session at Patchord Studios in Redding, working with engineer Bill Staeck, took place last year in late spring. The two dozen choir members, accustomed to the expansive acoustics of their 100-year-old church, suddenly found themselves huddled in a small room. In place of stained glass windows and painted ceiling murals, they were surrounded by metallic high-tech gadgetry.

“There were floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall gizmos, screens and monitors. Microphones were sticking out of the piano,” said accompanist Denise Peters, who praised Staeck’s ability to capture and shape the choir’s best work. “He was a huge part of the artistic process.”

The 21 songs in the CD follow the liturgical year. They begin with Advent, progress through Christmas, Lent, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter, and Pentecost, and conclude with Ordinary Time.

Stricker has been involved with music at Sacred Heart Parish since 1967, after the Second Vatican Council laid the groundwork for liturgical change, including a focus on parishioners worshiping through song. Her experience was central in developing the CD.

“Marie has spent years picking just the right music for the right feast,” pianist Peters noted.

Among the selections are “Holy Is His Name,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” “Panis Angelicus,” “Were You There,” “Adoramus Te, Christe,” “On Eagles’ Wings,” and “Amazing Grace.” The final song is the Irish blessing, “May the Road Rise Up.”

Each season is different, and so are the styles of songs associated with the liturgical calendar, choir member Janet Winn said. “I think it was special to do songs from every season because that’s part of our experience and our liturgy.”

Paul von Rotz moved to Oregon last summer, but the longtime choir member known for his deep resonant voice returned to California for practices and recording sessions. He called Stricker the connection that wove separate tonal strands into a pleasing whole.

“Collectively we can do some nice things,” he said. “Through years of working with all of us, Marie was able to get the most out of our voices.”

Peters said the choir hopes its efforts ripple through the wider community, and help people reconnect to the church.

“Who knows? Someone might take the CD to a person in a rest home. The music might bring that person back to a time, and a place, and a moment,” she said.

“A Liturgical Year in Song” can be purchased by sending a check or money order for $18 (includes shipping) to Sacred Heart Parish Center, 2355 Monroe St., Red Bluff, CA 96080.

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