The central place of liturgy in the Church’s mission and how music serves as a vital expression of the Church’s sacred rites across cultures were explored at the National Liturgy and Music Conference in Adelaide. Source: National Liturgical Council.
More than 350 pilgrims from across Australia and the South Pacific took part in the Pilgrims of Hope – Transformed through Sacrament and Song conference on October 1-3.
The National Liturgical Council of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network organised the conference, which featured keynote sessions led by Rita Ferrone, Fr Ricky Manalo CSP and Fr Richard Leonard SJ.
Each of the speakers offered a perspective on the ways liturgy and liturgical music celebrate a countercultural hope anchored in the risen Christ.
A range of breakout sessions presented by practitioners from across Australia and Fiji offered formation opportunities on topics including sacred music for funerals, liturgical art and architecture, the role of music in a synodal Church, Gregorian chant, the daily prayer of the Church and evangelisation through worship.
Philip Matthias, director of music at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, was a first-time presenter at the conference.
His “Song of this Land” session explored how listening to First Nations and other cultural communities helps us to further embrace our vast and shared Australian heritage.
“It was terrific to see such a range of people across diverse ministries all coming together, sharing their skills and in conversation,” Dr Matthias said. “It’s quite an art form to bring people across sectors and ministries together in this way, and the conference allowed that to happen in a good spirit.”
The APMN Life Membership Award for 2025 was awarded to Br Michael Herry FMS, who, for many years, has offered his music free of charge on his Marist Music website.
The APMN also awarded scholarships to support the formation of emerging young liturgical musicians. These were awarded to Dorothy Nguyen and Sally Ryan from Adelaide, Simon MacFarlane from Hobart, and Brendan Moloney from Melbourne.
The National Liturgical Council also launched its new website at the conference, helping to address the significant formation and training needs of people across different dioceses in Australia.
The website – a hub for liturgy and liturgical music formation and resources across Australia – is endorsed by the ACBC and will continue to grow as new resources are added.
For more details on the conference, visit Pilgrims of Hope.
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Pilgrims of Hope Transformed through Sacrament and Song (National Liturgical Council)
