Who are we and what do we do?

The Liturgy Office exists to assist the Archbishop in his role as promoter, moderator and guardian of the worship life of the Archdiocese and to help in fostering the liturgical life of the People of God in the Archdiocese of Sydney so that they can enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ.

The most important tasks of the Liturgy Office and the Liturgy Commission include:

Promoting high liturgical standards and active participation of the faithful in the celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments in the parishes and communities of the Archdiocese
Providing assistance in liturgical formation of the clergy and the faithful of the Archdiocese
Promoting a wide understanding of the liturgical norms and of their importance in the liturgical life of the Church

Assisting with matters related to sacred art, including refurbishment and reordering of existing churches and building of new churches / chapels
Assisting cantors and parish music teams in providing liturgical music that would be worthy and suitable for a dignified celebration, and that would be drawn from the whole of the tradition of the Church
Working together with other agencies and Catholic entities of the Archdiocese in fostering good sacramental catechesis and liturgical practice in the parishes and schools of the Archdiocese

Liturgy Office

Director

Dr Mariusz Biliniewicz

Mariusz Biliniewicz (MA/MPhil, PhD, GCLTHE) has been serving as Director of the Liturgy Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney since 2022. Before that he has worked at the University of Notre Dame Australia as Senior Lecturer in Theology and Associate Dean of Research and Academic Development. He has studied and taught in Poland, Ireland and Australia and has spoken and published internationally on a number of theological topics. In his role in the Liturgy Office Mariusz is particularly interested in working with parishes and schools in the areas of liturgical catechesis, training and formation.

Administrative Assistant

Bethany Buhagiar

Bethany joined the Liturgy Office in September 2023. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Philosophy majoring in Theology at the University of Notre Dame. She is also working towards the completion of her Piano Certificate of Performance. Her interests include aesthetics, anthropology, sacraments, and the role of art and music in the life of the Church.

Administrative Assistant

Maria Amaral

Maria joined the Liturgy Office in January 2023. She was a Catechist for six years for public primary and high schools. She also worked in the School of Philosophy and Theology and the School of Law at the University of Notre Dame as Administrative Officer.

Liturgy Commission

Mr Francois Kunc SC

The Hon François Kunc is currently the Chair of the Commission, having previously served as a member and then Deputy Chair. He has had a lifelong interest in liturgical and sacramental theology and extensive experience in liturgy planning in both a parish and cathedral setting, including children’s and school liturgies and major ceremonies.

Fr Danai Penollar

Fr Danai Penollar, BSc, STB, STL, was ordained for the Archdiocese of Sydney in 2007. He is currently Parish Administrator of Mary Immaculate Bossley Park and used to serve as Assistant Director of the Liturgy Office.

Mr Harry Stephens

Mr Harry A Stephens BArch DipLD FRAIA FDIA is a practicing architect and formerly a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Interior Architecture Program of the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales.

Catherine Hilder

Catherine currently works as a K-12 Network Religious Education Officer, Sydney Catholic Schools. She has served on the commission since her appointment as Director of the Catechumenate Office, Archdiocese of Sydney 2012-2017.

Fr Don Richardson

Fr Don Richardson B.Th, STB, MA (Liturgy) was ordained in Sydney in 1992. He was appointed Assistant Priest in the parishes of Mt Pritchard, Menai and St Mary’s Cathedral successively.

Fr Lewi Barakat

Fr. Lewi Barakat has been appointed as the Archbishop of Sydney’s Master of Ceremonies since 2019. He is currently based at St Mary’s Cathedral, where he ministers as an Assistant Priest.

Fr Benjamin Johnson, OFM Cap

Friar Benjamin Johnson is a Capuchin Franciscan of the Province of Australia. He is the guardian of their local community and serves on their Provincial Council. He completed his doctorate at the Lateran University in Rome on the relationship between the Eucharist and Marriage in the thought of Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio. Fr Ben lectures in sacramental theology at the University of Notre Dame, Australia.

Mr Daniel Justin

Daniel Justin has been Director of Music at St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney since October 2023. Prior to coming to Australia, Daniel spent eight years as Director of Music for the Diocese of East Anglia in the UK, and Master of Music at the Cathedral in Norwich. Daniel was a member of the Liturgy Commission in East Anglia, and responsible for the establishment of a Sacred Music foundation at the Cathedral, incorporating young singers for the first time since the 1960s. He has a passion for Sacred Liturgy and innovating music within the context of Divine Worship.

Who are we and what do we do?

The Liturgy Office exists to assist the Archbishop in his role as promoter, moderator and guardian of the worship life of the Archdiocese and to help in fostering the liturgical life of the People of God in the Archdiocese of Sydney so that they can enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ.

The most important tasks of the Liturgy Office and the Liturgy Commission include:

The Liturgy Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

The Liturgy Office of the
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney