Public Lecture by Sir James MacMillan

Musical Catholicity in the 21st Century: A Composer Reflects

Leading composer Sir James MacMillan will reflect on his music in the light of faith, drawing on recent compositions. He will explore his music’s contexts and give some self-assessment. He will also reflect on Jacques Maritain’s emphasis on the spiritual aspect of human nature and contemporary culture, asking whether Christian artistry is moving into a new stage. MacMillan will conduct Melbourne’s Polyphonic Voices in a selection from his Strathclyde Motets and the Australian premiere of his 2025 Salve Regina (commissioned by Australian Catholic University). Following the lecture, Professor Clare Johnson (ACU) will facilitate a conversation with MacMillan and panellists Professor Judith Wolfe (St Andrews/ACU) and Reverend Dr Christopher Willcock SJ (ACU).

Photograph credit: James Bellorini

Sir James MacMillan CBE KT is widely regarded as one of the foremost composers of our time and enjoys an international reputation as both a composer and conductor. Drawing deeply on his Scottish heritage, Catholic faith, social conscience and Celtic musical traditions, his distinctive compositional voice is celebrated for its rhythmic vitality, emotional intensity and spiritual depth. Since the breakthrough success of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie at the BBC Proms in 1990, his music has been performed worldwide, with major works including Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, five symphonies, concertos for Mstislav Rostropovich, Colin Currie and Nicola Benedetti, and the acclaimed Christmas Oratorio. In 2026–27, he serves as Featured Composer with the Hallé Orchestra and is Composer-in-Residence with the Dresden Philharmonic. MacMillan is also a distinguished cultural leader and is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Cumnock Tryst festival. Knighted in 2015, he was awarded the King’s Medal for Music in 2025 and the Order of the Thistle in 2026.

Date: Friday, 27 November 2026

Time: 5.30–7pm (AEDT) followed by light refreshments

Venue: Cathedral Hall, 20-22 Brunswick St, Fitzroy Vic 3065

Parking is available at Wilson Parking, 410 Albert St East Melbourne or 90 Victoria Pde East Melbourne. Limited street parking is available close to the university.

How to register: Registration by 20 November is essential for this public lecture. We warmly welcome guests to attend in person or online (a link will be emailed to registered online attendees prior to the event).

Cost: Cost: $20 per person – funds raised will contribute to an ACU scholarship in liturgical music

For more information Email the ACU Centre for Liturgy at [email protected] or call 03 9230 8539.

Register here

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Academic Publications


photo of Sacrosanctum Concilium

Sacrosanctum Concilium - Exploring Liturgical Futures (2025)

Editors: Clare V. Johnson, Gerard Moore, Peter G. Williams

RRP $249.00
Available for purchase


Pastoral Publications


photo of Celebrating the Lectionary Year A book cover

Celebrating the Lectionary Year A (Garratt, 2019)

RRP $39.95
Available for purchase

Celebrating the Lectionary Year A is designed for schools and parishes as a catechetical resource that focuses on the Gospels of the Liturgical Year. It can be used as a supplement to Catholic school religious education programs, as a resource for Children's Liturgy of the Word in parishes, and during the process of preparing children for Christian initiation. Celebrating the Lectionary Year A includes sessions for every Sunday of the liturgical year (Advent, Christmas Time, Lent, Easter Time, and Ordinary Time), sessions for each day of the Sacred Paschal Triduum, and sessions for holydays, solemnities, and feasts, including Australian Feasts, Saints and Seasons.

Each 15-20 minute session is designed so that you can lead group discussions and engage in activities which require minimal preparation and make use of resources on hand. Sessions can easily be adapted to your group's specific needs and time constraints.

Each session includes:

  • Background information for teachers and catechists
  • Ways to connect children's lives with the liturgical year
  • Full text of the day's Gospel reading and an age-appropriate guided reflection
  • Gospel-related activities
  • A take-home page for families to do during the week

Authors: Catherine G. Johnson, Mary Kathleen Kelley, SSJ, Maureen A. Kelly, Nora Malone, Christine Ondrla, James Philipps

Adaptations and Australian Content by: Clare Johnson

Watch the recording of Gospels for the Liturgical Year - General Introduction to the online guide to this resource

Watch the recording of Gospels for the Liturgical Year (Year A)


photo of Celebrating the Lectionary Year B book cover

Celebrating the Lectionary Year B (Garratt, 2020)

Celebrating the Lectionary Year B (Garratt: 2020) is the second volume of a rich resource of Lectionary-based catechesis designed especially for use in schools and parishes celebrating Children's Liturgy of the Word. Collaborating with authors from the USA, Prof Clare V. Johnson has prepared this text for use with students in years 5-8 in conjunction with the Year of Grace Calendar for 2021. Exploring the Gospel for Sundays, solemnities, feasts and holydays (according to the Australian Lectionary and liturgical calendar) through proclamation, reflection and engaging classroom activities, this attractive book will help young people to link each Gospel text with their Catholic faith and everyday lives.

Authors: Sr Ann Therese Chaput BVM, Christine Ondrla, James Philipps, Sr Ann Therese Chaput, Clare Johnson

Adaptations and Australian Content by: Clare Johnson

RRP $39.95

Watch the recording of Gospels for the Liturgical Year (Year B)


photo of Celebrating the Lectionary Year B book cover

Celebrating the Lectionary Year C (Garratt, 2021)

Celebrating the Lectionary Year C (Garratt: 2021) is the third volume of this valuable supplementary catechetical resource that helps bring the richness of the Lectionary and the liturgical year into the school or parish catechetical program. It can be used in Catholic school programs, during the process of preparing children for Christian initiation, or as a supplement to a traditional basal text for Catholic school or parish religious education programs.

Each session is easily adapted to meet specific needs and time constraints, with sessions designed so class discussions and activities can be led with minimal preparation and to make use of the resources on hand. Exploring the Gospel for Sundays, solemnities, feasts and holydays (according to the Australian Lectionary and liturgical calendar) through proclamation, reflection and engaging classroom activities, this attractive book will help young people to link each Gospel text with their Catholic faith and everyday lives.

Authors: Christine Ondrla and Clare Johnson

Adaptations and Australian Content by: Clare Johnson

RRP $39.95

Watch the recording of Gospels for the Liturgical Year (Year C)

For more information see: www.garrattpublishing.com.au

Online public lectures


View our previous public lectures here

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