Speaking of Liturgy

Heartfelt Proclamation: The Ministry of the Word

Sr Judy Foster, SGS describes aspects of good preparation and proclamation for Ministers of the Word in the liturgy so that all who listen can respond with open hearts.
Sister Judith Foster, SGS is a Sister of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict.  She studied at the Irish Institute of Pastoral Liturgy and offered liturgical formation in parishes and schools across New South Wales for almost twenty years. Since 2008 she has been Liturgical Consultant for Townsville Diocese in Queensland. Judy is a former member of both Sydney and Parramatta Liturgical Commissions and was member of the ACU Centre for Liturgy's Board of Advisors from 2023 - 2025.

Francis’ Vision of Liturgy: A Jesuit’s Perspective

Professor Bruce Morrill, as a Jesuit theologian, reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis and the liturgy and how Francis’ pastoral vision invites us to enter into the spirit of the liturgy as a sacramental encounter with the risen Lord.
Rev Professor Bruce T. Morrill, S.J. holds the Edward A. Malloy Chair in Roman Catholic Studies at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee), where he is Distinguished Professor of Theology in the Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion. He has some two hundred publications in addition to a dozen books, including Practical Sacramental Theology: At the Intersection of Liturgy and Ethics (2021) and the forthcoming revised, expanded edition of Encountering Christ in the Eucharist: The Paschal Mystery in People, Word, and Sacrament (December 2026).

The Washing of Feet: Christian Love in Action

Diana Macalintal explores the significance and meaning of the ancient ritual of the Washing of the Feet and examines our pastoral practice in the liturgy. She invites communities to see the washing of the feet as a sacred act that signifies our participation in Christ’s limitless love given to all.
Ms Diana Macalintal is the co-founder and co-director of TeamInitiation.com and Liturgy.life and is a widely-recognised leader in the areas of the catechumenate and Catholic liturgy and music. With a Master of Arts in Theology from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, she served in campus, parish, and diocesan ministries for over 30 years. She is a prolific author and speaker, a published liturgical composer, and served on the advisory boards of several national Catholic organizations.

Sacred Vesture: Understanding its purpose and making good choices

Br Steven Kropp reflects on the significance of liturgical vestments and the importance of careful its choice. He describes how vestments contribute to worship and lead us more deeply into the celebration of the liturgy.
Brother Steven Kropp OFM Cap is a priest of the Midwest USA Province of the Capuchin Franciscan Friars Minor. He holds a Master of Arts in liturgical studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has served  as a Vocation and Formation Director, Provincial Vicar, and Director of the Solanus Casey Center. He is currently pastor of the Catholic Parishes on the Crow Native Reservation in Montana.

Initiation and Building the Church of God: Apprenticeship in Christ

Fr. Andrew Doohan reflects on initiation as an apprenticeship in Christ. He describes how this process needs to take place within the context of the whole community of faith, rather than in isolation. Catechumens need to experience the full range of activities that are part of the  life of the Christian community.
Rev Andrew Doohan is a priest of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, and is currently the Parish Priest of St Francis of Assisi Parish, Dungog Gresford. He is the Diocesan Master of Ceremonies and the current Chair of the Diocesan Liturgy Council for the diocese. He holds master's degrees in theology and Liturgy and is the Co-convenor of the working party responsible for preparing the Australian edition of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

Instruments and the Liturgy: Colouring and Supporting Prayer

Marty Haugen, speaking with Cathy Murrowood from the ACU Centre for Liturgy, explores the use of instruments in the liturgy and discusses how they can colour and enhance the rites. He offers some advice for using them well and describes some of the challenges that may be encountered.
Mr Marty Haugen is an internationally renowned liturgical music composer, musician, hymnbook editor and consultant and workshop presenter from Minnesota, USA. He is the author of The Liturgical Ensemble 2nd edition (GIA, 2017).  

The Prayer of the Church BY the Church: Morning and Evening Prayer in the parish community

Sr Elizabeth Murray explores the history of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, particularly the two main “hinges” Morning and Evening Prayer, and suggests ways parishes might introduce this ancient form of daily prayer – once considered the primary responsibility of clergy and religious.
Sister Elizabeth Murray SGS holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Arts degree in Liturgical Studies from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. A member of the liturgy committee within the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict, Elizabeth has worked as a liturgist and musician in the Order’s schools in different states of Australia, in addition to educational and formation work at Liturgy Brisbane, and the Benedictine Monastic Communities in New Norcia, WA and Arcadia, NSW.  Elizabeth is a member of the National Liturgical Music Council, an advisory body to the Bishops Commission for Liturgy of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. 

Pilgrimage: Praying with our Feet

Dr Veronica Rosier, OP explores the significance of pilgrimage as a passage into the presence of God with a spirit of faith and conversion. From the El Camino to the Communion Procession, she highlights aspects of the inner and outer journey of discerning God’s purpose.
Sr Dr Veronica Rosier, OP holds a PhD in liturgical studies (CUA Washington, D.C.). She has taught liturgy at CUA, Port Moresby, and Australia, including ACU where she established ACU’s MA(Liturgy) award in 2006. Veronica is the author of numerous publications including Liturgical Catechesis of Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (Leuven: Peeters, 2002). Currently, Veronica serves as a facilitator for Catholic Mission’s Immersion programs and pilgrimages in Australia, Asia and Europe.

That all Christ's followers may be one: Reflections on Ecumenism

On the night before he died Jesus prayed that all may one (John 17). After a lifelong commitment to Christian unity, Reverend Robert Gribben reflects, with Dr Paul Taylor, on the hopes and challenges of the Ecumenical movement and how we might work together as we look to the future.
Rev Professor Robert Gribben AM studied at Melbourne and Cambridge universities. During more than fifty years of ordained ministry, he has served Methodist and Uniting churches in Australia. He was Professor of Worship and Mission at the former United Faculty of Theology in Melbourne, Australia, a fellow of Ormond and Queens Colleges, Director of Ecumenical Relationships for the World Methodist Council and a member of the international committee of the Global Christian Forum. His books and published articles address liturgy, history, theology, evangelization, Christian unity and the future of the churches.

Receiving from the altar: a more complete form of sharing Holy Communion

Fr Brian Nichols discusses the significance of receiving Holy Communion from the same altar of sacrifice. One of the great teachings of the Second Vatican Council, this expresses the unity of the Body of Christ when we celebrate the Mass. It is an invitation to consider our pastoral practice.
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.