Parishioners from across the Diocese of Parramatta gathered on Saturday 15 July 2023 to attend the ‘Liturgy conference: Faith Strengthened, Nourished and Expressed’ held at St Andrew the Apostle Parish in Marayong.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, over 100 parishioners listened to a keynote speech by Fr Peter Williams AM “Sacrosanctum Concilium and the Liturgical Reform 60 years on”.
The presentation reflected on the reforms that have been working and which ones needed to be improved. Parishioners were invited to give their thoughts on the major gains from the reforms as well as the losses.
Different Workshops Hosted at the Conference
After morning tea, parishioners joined various workshops to discover new ways to bring liturgy to their parish. Workshop presenters at the conference included Mr Eric Grella on “Expressing our Faith – Music at Mass”; Mr Chris Ohlson on “A walk through Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Desiderio Desideravi”; Ms Sarah Alimangohan on “Discovering Sacred Art”; Br Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud OFM Conv on “We are called to Serve”; Deacon Roderick Pirotta on “RCIA Mystagogia – Drifter vs Pilgrim”; and Mrs Kirrily Aguilera on “Children’s Liturgy – Nourishing Faith”.
How a Parishioner Became Involved in Children’s Liturgy
Mrs Kirrily Aguilera has been a parishioner at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta her whole life. She is now the Coordinator of the Children’s Liturgy program at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta. It was when she had four young children close in age when she realised there was not a lot of participation in liturgy for kids.
“One day, St Patrick’s Cathedral invited my children and I to participate in the liturgy. For the first time, they were actually able to participate in the liturgy. They were engaged and it was age appropriate. I found it so transformative and encouraging.”
“At the Liturgy Conference, I want to share what our parish is doing and to encourage others to consider implementing the children’s liturgy in their ministry.”
Discovering Sacred Art Workshop
A fashion design undergraduate from UTS, Ms Sarah Alimangohan hosted the workshop on Discovering Sacred Art. “The goal of Sacred Art is to lead people to prayer and to aid in active participation”.
Ms Sarah Alimangohan spoke about the meaning of Sacred Art, the role it plays in liturgy and examples of Sacred Art works. She gave insights about the church architecture at St Madeleine Sophia Barat in Kenthurst, Stained Glass Windows at Our Lady of the Rosary, St Marys and artworks by Michaelangelo in relation to Sacred Art.
The workshop impressed all who attended. Kerry Bailey from St Paul The Apostle Parish, Winston Hills, said she thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and found it insightful, “As a parishioner and a teacher, it is something I can take back to my parish and the school I teach at.”
Learning Different Ways to Serve the Parish and Community
Helen Zammit is the Sacramental Coordinator at St John XXIII Parish Glenwood-Stanhope Gardens.
“I came to the conference to gain new insights and learnings on how to become better at what I do in order to serve the parish and community. There are always opportunities to learn new things.”
Sr Mary Louise Walsh ISSM, the main organiser of the Liturgy Conference, said the agenda of the Liturgy Conference was set based on what enriches the parish.
“When we started promoting the Liturgy conference, we had a lot of interest in a small amount of time. There are parishioners here today who attended previous conferences.”
From the positive atmosphere and engagement amongst the attendees at the Liturgy Conference, it shows there is great interest in events where parishioners can learn and connect with others. The next Liturgy conference will be held in two years.
View Images from The Liturgy Conference HERE.
