The ACU Centre for Liturgy proudly presents an exciting array of local and international experts who explore a wide range of liturgy-related topics. Our podcasts feature thought-provoking discussions on Catholic liturgy, liturgical music, art and architecture, liturgy in Catholic schools, preaching, and more. Join us, and listen to some of the world's best, 'Speaking of Liturgy'.

Podcasts

Featuring liturgy specialists from around the world.
Produced by the ACU Centre for Liturgy, Australia.

 

Professor Clare Johnson

Professor Clare Johnson explores how schools embrace their ecclesial identity and strengthen their identity and mission through celebrating the liturgy well.

Professor Clare Johnson is the Director of the ACU Centre for Liturgy and ACU Professor of Liturgical Studies & Sacramental Theology. She chairs the National Liturgical Music Council, advising the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Liturgy.

 

Rev Dr Paul Turner

Rev Dr Paul Turner examines the art of celebrating ars celebrandi and invites us to 'get inside the liturgy' and reflect more on the meaning of what we do and say.

Fr Paul Turner is an international speaker, writer and publisher on liturgy who is Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri. He has served on many national bodies, including ICEL.

 

Rev Dr Stephen Hackett, msc

Rev Dr Stephen Hackett, msc asks what makes a church look like a church and how do communities preserve their cultural heritage?

Fr Stephen Hackett, msc is Chair of the National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council in Australia and General Secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

 

Rev Dr Richard Leonard, SJ

Rev Dr Richard Leonard, SJ offers some advice for good preaching and examines some key components of a good homily.

Fr Richard Leonard, SJ is a regular columnist for the Tablet, author of ten books and directed the Office for Film and Broadcasting for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

 

Sr Prof Julia Upton, rsm

Drawing on her rich teaching and personal experience, Sr Professor Julia Upton, RSM explores the multifaceted rituals associated with Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying and the Sacrament of Penance.

Sr Julia Upton, RSM is Provost Emerita and Distinguished Professor of Theology at St John's University, New York. She has served on national advisory bodies and is the author of many books and articles.

 

Dr Angela McCarthy

Dr Angela McCarthy encourages communities to consider the importance of art, particularly in relation to places of worship and the liturgy.

Dr Angela McCarthy is Senior Lecturer in Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. She is an editor of the Australian Journal of Liturgy and Pastoral Liturgy, and past president of the Australian Academy of Liturgy.

 

Rev Dr Chris Willcock, SJ

Rev Dr Christopher Willcock, SJ invites composers to consider how to help worshippers find a common voice.

Fr Chris Willcock is an internationally renowned Australian composer for the liturgy and
the concert hall and has taught sacramental theology and liturgical studies.

Rev Peter Slack


Fr Peter Slack
explores the growth of the Eastern and Western Catholic Churches in Australia and invites us to learn more about the Eastern Catholic Tradition.

Fr Peter Slack is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Lismore, Australia and the Associate Judicial Vicar of the Inter-diocesan Tribunal of Sydney.

 

Anthony Young.

Dr Anthony Young describes how to foster strong community singing at worship in the school setting, developing aspects of a school music program that supports student participation in the liturgy.

Dr Anthony Young is the Coordinator of Culture and Solidarity at St Laurence’s College, in Brisbane Australia, a member of the National Liturgical Music Council and the Brisbane Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy, and the Director of Music at St Ignatius Parish (Toowong).


 

Cathy Murrowood

Cathy Murrowood invites us to reflect on the Universal Prayer and its weekly preparation. She outlines how to write this prayer in a way that actively responds to the pressing needs of the world.

Ms Cathy Murrowood is a liturgy educator with the ACU Centre for Liturgy and a member of the National Liturgical Council. She has extensive experience as a local, diocesan and national consultant.


 

Sr Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ

Sr Kathleen Hughes invites us to consider how effective has liturgical formation been since the 70’s.   She proposes a new approach that emphasizes the importance of formation for all the faithful.

Sr Dr Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ is a former Professor of Word and Worship, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and former provincial of the United States Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She is the author of Saying Amen: Entering Into the
Mystery of the Sacraments
(Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2022).


 

Sr Judith Kubicki CSSF

Sr Judith Kubicki  invites us to consider how Christian communities experience physical unity and find their voice after a huge disruption.

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..


 

Dan McGrath invites us to harness the power of liturgical catechesis, the witness of married couples and the foundational role of families to better celebrate and understand the meaning of Christian marriage.

Dr Dan McGrath is a sessional facilitator in Pre-marriage Education for Centacare Brisbane, QLD Australia. A graduate of ACU, his doctoral thesis is entitled: Marriage as creative union: A liturgical theology drawn from The Order of Celebrating Matrimony.


 

Rev Dr Paul Turner  invites us to consider the benefits of technology rather than try to eliminate their use.

Fr Paul Turner is an international speaker who is Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri and Director of the Diocesan Office for Divine Worship. He has published numerous books and articles on liturgy, and has an extensive website: paulturner.org. He has served on many national bodies, including ICEL. 


 

Professor Clare Johnson

Professor Clare Johnson invites us to stop and pause to consider the importance and significance of fruitful silence in the liturgy.

Professor Clare Johnson is the Director of the ACU Centre for Liturgy and ACU Professor of Liturgical Studies & Sacramental Theology. She chairs the National Liturgical Music Council, advising the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Liturgy.

 

Cathy Murrowood

Cathy Murrowood  reflects on Ecology, Advent and the Australian summer and invites us to consider the images of creation in the liturgy and our stewardship of the earth.

Ms Cathy Murrowood is a liturgy educator with the ACU Centre for Liturgy and a member of the National Liturgical Council. She has extensive experience as a local, diocesan and national consultant.


 

Rev Professor John Baldovin  S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D. explores the origins and significance of the seminal liturgical document, Sacrosanctum Concilium, and the contributions it has made to the liturgical life of Catholics across the world. He notes some achievements that are still to be realized.

Fr. John F. Baldovin SJ is a priest of the Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus,
Prof. of Historical & Liturgical Theology, Boston College and past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and Societas Liturgica.


 

Dr Paul Taylor   offers some helpful strategies to invigorate parish music ministry and strengthen the assembly’s singing in liturgical celebrations.

Dr Paul Taylor is Assistant Director, ACU Centre for Liturgy and Director of Music, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Australia. His is the former Executive Secretary of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy, Australia.

 

Archbishop Denis Hart reflects on his many years of involvement in the liturgy and leadership recalling his early influences, the Second Vatican Council, and his involvement in the publishing of the Australian Lectionary.

In part 2 of his interview, Archbishop Hart reflects on key events and people following the Second Vatican Council, including the publication of the Catholic Worship Book (Collins-Dwyer 1985), and shares his hopes for the future.

Archbishop Denis Hart was Archbishop of Melbourne from 2001 - 2018, a former member and Vice President of the International Committee for English in the Liturgy and member of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy, Australia.

 

Rev Dr Andrew Cameron Mowat, S.J. explores the period of Lent, a season of
renewal, hope and healing which prepares us for the joy of Easter.   

Fr. Andrew Cameron-Mowat SJ is a member of the Society of Jesuits. He taught at Heythrop College and the seminary of the Westminster Archdiocese for twenty years and is a former Member of the Liturgy Committee of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of England and Wales. He is currently parish priest at St Ignatius
Church, Stamford Hill, north London.  


 

Dr Clare Schwantes describes the dynamic proclamation of the Word of God in the Liturgy and how this differs from a personal reading of Sacred Scripture.

Clare Schwantes, editor, teacher and liturgist, is currently the Chair of the National Liturgical Council. She is the Director of Liturgy Brisbane, Australia and secretary of the Brisbane Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy. /p>

 

Dr Paul Taylor   explores the meaning and history of the oils that are blessed and consecrated during the Chrism Mass in Holy Week.

Dr Paul Taylor is Assistant Director, ACU Centre for Liturgy and Director of Music, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Australia. His is the former Executive Secretary of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy, Australia.

 

Steven Warner looks back at his music ministry and creative works over his many years of service to the Church. He explores some key influences and the continuum of sacred music since the 60s.

Mr Steve Warner is a well-published composer of liturgical music and choir director of renown. He is Founder and Director Emeritus of the internationally famous Notre Dame Folk Choir.


 

The ACU Centre for Liturgy provides specialist expertise, teaching, research and formation in liturgical studies, sacramental theology, and the sacred arts.

Producer: Cathy Murrowood

Sound Engineer: Amiel Matthews

Music composed and performed by: Kylie Morrigan and Mal Webb

Announcer: Stan Murrowood

© ACU Centre for Liturgy 2023

 

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