Speaking of Liturgy

The Roman Catholic Funeral: Celebrating the Mystery of Life in Christ

Chris Ohlsen describes how Christian funerals offer hope because of our shared destiny of eternal life in Christ and discusses ways to build a bridge between the expectations of mourners and the church’s faith in an era of increasing secularisation.
Mr Christopher Ohlsen is currently the Executive Officer to the Vicar General at the Diocese of Broken Bay. He holds a Master of Theological Studies (Liturgy) from the Australian Catholic University and was a recipient of the ACU Centre for Liturgy Scholarship. He was previously the Diocesan Master of Ceremonies for the Diocese of Parramatta. Chris is currently a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.

Preaching at Confirmation

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB reflects on the sacrament of Confirmation and describes his approach to the preparation and preaching of the homily during conferral of this sacrament.
Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB is the Archbishop of Perth, Western Australia and the President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. He studied at the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome and lectured at Catholic Theological College Melbourne, the University of Notre Dame, Freemantle and Australian Catholic University. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne in 2007 and has held numerous leadership positions, especially in the field of education.

The Liturgical Riches of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Cardinal Mykola Bychok, CSsR shares the richness of being a Ukrainian Greek Catholic today, with a particular focus on the history, worship and values of this venerable liturgical and spiritual tradition.
Cardinal Mykola Bychok, CSsR (b. 1980) is a Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) who has served as the Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul Melbourne since the year 2020.  He was made a Cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024.  Born in Ternopil in Western Ukraine, Cardinal Bychok joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (or Redemptorists) in 1997 and undertook formation in both Ukraine and Poland where he obtained a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology.  Ordained in in 2005, he has worked as a missionary in Russia as well as the Ukraine and New Jersey, USA.  His responsibilities as Eparchial Bishop take in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania

Presiding with style and grace

Fr Brian Nichols discusses the art of presiding and how the best ministers invite people into prayer. He describes some of the qualities associated with good liturgical leadership.
Rev Brian Nichols is a priest of the Archdiocese of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, and is currently Vice-Rector of Corpus Christi Seminary in Melbourne. He also teaches Liturgical and Sacramental Theology at Catholic Theological College (University of Divinity), Melbourne. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute (Sant’ Anselmo), Rome.

Reflections on a life - Part 2

In part 2 of his interview, Fr Frank O’Loughlin reflects on the way some of the sacraments and rites of the Church are celebrated and comments on Pope Francis’ recent emphasis on liturgical formation and training. 

Reflections on a life - Part 1

Fr Frank O'Loughlin reflects on his life as an academic, teacher and pastor in relation to the implementation of the liturgy in the years since the Second Vatican Council and makes some personal observations.
Rev Dr Francis O'Loughlin was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Melbourne in 1969. He served on the staff of Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 1977 to 1996, teaching courses in systematic theology and liturgy, following doctoral studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, and further study at the Irish Institute of Pastoral Liturgy. He also served as the director of the Diocesan Liturgical Centre in East Melbourne. He has taught extensively in Australia and New Zealand and is widely published.

Gathering the prayers and the people: the Collect in the Liturgy

Professor Gerard Moore investigates the origins of the Collect, an ancient prayer form frequently prayed in the liturgy, and describes its role and some of its main features.
Professor Gerard Moore is Principal of the BBI – The Australian Institute of Theological Education in Sydney. He earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with a dissertation on the Collect, and has written numerous books and articles on liturgy in scholarly and pastoral publications.

Advent: Wait in Joyful Hope

Dr Jenny O’Brien explores the season of Advent, discussing the first and second comings of Christ and key characteristics of this time of joyful expectation and hope. She offers some helpful pastoral music suggestions.
Dr Jennifer O’Brien gained her Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy from Sant’Ansemo Pontifical University, Rome, and also holds Masters degrees in Theology and Religious Education. A liturgy educator and consultant, she has served on numerous diocesan and national organisations. Recently retired from The Office for Worship, Adelaide Australia, she is currently the assistant editor of Studia Liturgica and a consultant for the National Liturgical Council, Australia.

From Latin to English: The work of ICEL

Fr Andrew Menke, the recently appointed Executive Director of the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL), outlines the work of ICEL undertaken on behalf of the English speaking Conferences of Bishops around the world. He describes some of the steps involved in translating Latin texts into English.
Rev Andrew Menke is a priest of the diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska and is a graduate of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute. He has served as an official in the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and the liturgy office of the United States Conference of Bishops. In 2023 he was appointed the eighth Executive Director of the ICEL Secretariat.

The Music of Taizé: A Rich and Versatile Resource for Liturgical Prayer

Sr Judith Kubicki explores the significance and versatility of music from Taize, France, highlighting its ability to unify diverse groups and encourage the participation of all worshippers.   
Sr Dr Judith Kubicki CSSF is assistant professor emerita in the Theology Department of Fordham University, New York.  Currently she serves as provincial minister of the Felician Sisters of North America. Her major interests are liturgical theology, liturgical music, and ritual studies.