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. During this time, she completed her Certificate in RCIA Catechesis at the Maryvale Institute, Birmingham, England and built productive professional relationships with international leaders in the RCIA from the UK and USA. Catherine is dedicated to promoting the RCIA as a part of the liturgical life of the Church.

Catherine is an experienced educator having taught in a range of schools across Sydney, England, Germany and the Middle East. Her travels have led to a wide exposure to the universality of the liturgical life of the Church. A highlight of her travels was supporting the Carmelite priests from Kerala as a catechist to Confirmation candidates in the Parish of Our Lady of Arabia, Kuwait.

Catherine has her Master of Arts Theological Studies University Notre Dame Sydney and Master of Educational Leadership ACU Sydney with a highlight of both degrees being the study of Liturgy. She gained further experience in teaching Liturgy as a sessional lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Sydney. Catherine continues to promote liturgy in her current role mentoring Religious Education Co-ordinators.

Catherine also holds her Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama AMEB and was involved in redesigning and presenting the Reader’s Course for parishes in the Archdiocese.

Liturgical Office

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.

Director

Dr Mariusz Biliniewicz

Mariusz Biliniewicz currently serves as Director of the Liturgy Office in the Archdiocese of Sydney. 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.

Liturgical 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.

Dr Anthony Cleary

Anthony Cleary is the Director of Mission & Identity for Sydney Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Sydney. Prior to his appointment in 2006, Anthony was the Director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (Sydney).

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

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.

Catherine Hilder

The Liturgy Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

The Liturgy Office of the
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney