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Professor Clare Johnson invites us to consider the interrelationship of scripture, theology, and liturgy and expand our understanding of the study and interpretation of sacred scripture. This promotes a fuller recognition of Christ’s presence in the word proclaimed.
Professor Clare Johnson is Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology and Director of the ACU Centre for Liturgy. She has taught liturgical studies, sacramental theology, preaching, liturgical music and introductory theology at the University of Notre Dame (USA), Michigan State University (USA), the University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle) and ACU. Her research in liturgy, liturgical music, ritual studies, liturgical theology and liturgical inculturation has been widely published.
Abbot Gregory Polan OSB invites us to learn more about a recent translation of the psalms The Abbey Psalms and Canticles, that has been chosen for number of new Lectionaries of English speaking countries and the Liturgy of the Hours. The psalms are the basis of much of the prayer of the Church. As director, coordinator, and lead scholar of the translation project, he offers a unique perspective.
Abbot Gregory Polan OSB entered the Benedictine community of Conception Abbey in 1970 and was ordained in 1977. He studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and undertook theological studies at St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. He completed a Licentiate and Doctorate in biblical theology at the Pontifical faculty of Université Saint Paul, Ottawa, Canada. He teaches in the seminary at Conception Seminary College on the campus of his monastery. From 2016 to 2024, he served as the tenth Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation based in Rome.
Br Steven Kropp reflects on the significance of liturgical vestments and the importance of its careful 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.
Corinna Laughlin invites us to consider the ministry of Sacristan as more than knowing what sacred objects are needed for the liturgy and where to find them. She asks: 'What does it take to be a good Sacristan?' She discusses this important role and highlights some key aspects of training.
Dr Corinna Laughlin is a Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy at the Cathedral of St James, Seattle, USA. Since 1998, she has worked with clergy, Cathedral staff and volunteers, planning hundreds of liturgies each year. Corinna has written the Guide for Sacristans, Guide for Servers, and Guide for Celebrating Holy Week and Triduum for Liturgy Training Publications as well as articles for many other publications. Corinna serves as a Consultant to the Liturgy Office of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Rita Thiron describes how a synodal Church places importance on Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. She outlines the role of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and how it contributes to the vitality of the Church today.
Mrs Rita Thiron is the Executive Director of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions in Washington, DC. She previously served as the Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Lansing (Michigan) and an adjunct professor at Siena Heights University. Since 2013, Rita has served as a consultant to the Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She is the author of eight books and countless articles. She is a frequent workshop presenter in dioceses across the United States.
Hans-Jürgen Feulner explores the depiction of liturgical rites in film. Religion is a key part of life and filmmakers incorporate religious rituals in different ways for different effects. He notes how perspectives and interpretations have changed.
Professor Hans-Jürgen Feulner is professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at the faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Vienna, Austria. His research focuses include Comparative Liturgiology with the various Eastern liturgical rites, liturgical rituals in film, and Anglican liturgy. He was a member of a Vatican working group on the preparation of a liturgical form for former Anglicans in the three Personal Ordinariates, and was awarded the papal knighthood of St Gregory the Great by Pope Francis in 2015. More on this topic can be found at https://lit-ktf.univie.ac.at/en/research/research-projects/religious-rituals-in-film. An English article about the Dies irae in film music will be published in fall 2025 in the open access online Journal Ex Fonte: https://exfonte.org
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.
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