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. A classically trained musician, he served as Cantor of St Mary’s Cathedral for thirty years, and has been a reader there for forty years. He has regularly taught the Commission’s course on proclaiming the Word in parishes across Sydney. Pope Francis recognised François’ extensive service to the Church by creating him a Knight Commander of St Gregory the Great. François is a Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW.

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

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

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.

Mr Francois Kunc SC

The Liturgy Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

The Liturgy Office of the
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney