Speaking of Liturgy

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. 

Eucharist and Justice: Becoming what We Receive

Fr Ronald Raab C.S.C reflects on the connection between Eucharist and justice in light of his ministry. He invites us to be truly transformed by the Eucharist so that we can participate fully in the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.  
Rev Ronald Patrick Raab C.S.C. ministers among the vulnerable and marginalized of society and the Church. He speaks and writes about prayer and service and knowing the love of God through our common poverty.  He is active as a retreat director, blogger, award-winning author, and visual artist. He serves as Religious Superior, Holy Cross House, Indiana.

From Anglican to Catholic: The Development of the Ordinariate and Its Ritual Forms

Fr Stephen Hill discusses the treasures of Anglican patrimony and ecclesial unity, inviting us to learn more about the Ordinariate in Australia. 
Rev Dr Stephen Hill is Vicar General of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia. He ministered as an Anglican Priest from 2008 and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 2013. He holds a PhD in Catholic Theology from the University of Vienna, specialising in liturgical language. 

Hymnody - the faith we sing

Sr Delores Dufner, OSB explores the significance of hymn texts we sing in the liturgy, describing how they express and shape faith. She invites us to consider the characteristics of a well-crafted hymn text. 
Sr Delores Dufner, OSB is a member of St Benedict’s Monastery in St Joseph, Minnesota. An internationally composer of renown, and text writer, she is published in hymn collections in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and China. She holds Master's Degrees in Liturgical Music and Liturgical Studies and is the recipient of a number of awards. Her prodigious work includes 65 special commissions and 5 published collections featuring more than 230 hymns.