Professional development

The ACU Centre for Liturgy, in conjunction with ACU’s Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, periodically provides opportunities for musicians, liturgists, clergy, teachers, pastoral associates, parishioners, members of Liturgy Committees and Commissions to participate as Professional Learners in academic units in the study of liturgy. Teachers who wish to apply for professional development accreditation hours for attendance at these may request a certificate of attendance to support this.

Professional Learning Opportunity – THLS502 Liturgical Music - July 3, 4, 5 & 6: Melbourne Campus

THLS502 Liturgical Music

Music is an integral part of the Church’s liturgy – a living art form that voices the Church’s prayer and theology in an unsurpassable way. This unit explores the nature of liturgical music, its history, theology, and practice.

With a focus on the Catholic Church’s official teaching on music from Vatican II onward, this unit investigates theological principles and contextual issues to be considered when choosing appropriate music for liturgical use. After providing a general introduction to the Catholic Church’s definition, documentation and practice of liturgical music, this unit studies the functions, forms, and roles of music in the liturgy today. It identifies what constitutes suitable liturgical music and explores how to choose fitting music for different liturgical moments, purposes, and genres of liturgical texts, and how to evaluate what makes music effective in liturgy as a powerful means for bonding an assembly in its worship of God.

Download the flyer here

Musicians, liturgists, clergy, teachers, pastoral associates, parishioners and all who have an interest in Catholic Liturgical Music are welcome to register for this professional learning seminar (not for academic credit with no assessments) which is also being offered as a postgraduate unit (for academic credit or audit). This rich face-to-face learning opportunity will provide you with access to your choice of 12 learning hours drawn from Professor Johnson’s lectures and special sessions with guest presenters. Additional hours may also be selected beyond the minimum. 

Download the Session descriptions here

Those registering as professional learners will choose 8 out of 16 unit-sessions on offer, with no assessment obligations. If you wish to attend more than 8 sessions, a fee of $62.50 applies for each additional session. (You may wish to seek sponsorship from your parish or school to share the cost.)

Closing date for professional learning registrations is June 28.

Register here as Professional Learner

Teachers participating as professional learners can submit an application for Professional Development hours in accordance with individual State or Territory requirements.

THLS502 is also being offered as a postgraduate unit, for academic credit or audit. (N.B. The closing date for enrolment as a postgraduate student or auditor is June 19, 2023)

For more information about enrolling as a student, download the flyer here. 

We provide schools and Catholic education offices with targeted professional development sessions and workshops tailored to address the needs of primary and secondary school teachers, religious education leaders, and worshiping communities.

Topics include:

Pastoral training and formation sessions on these and other topics can also be tailored to meet specific school community needs.