Diocesan News
Through the generous support of the Ballarat Diocese and the Star of the Sea – South West Coast Parish, I was privileged to recently attend APMN/NLC National conference from October 1 – 3, 2025.
The conference encompassed a great range of subjects relevant to music as a core and essential part of the liturgical and sacramental life of our church. I am passionate about music and a church devoid of music is unimaginable to me. We are blessed with a history of music that praises God and lifts hearts and voices to Him and to each other going back to the very beginnings of the church and even beyond to the chosen people of the Old Testament. The conference showed us the many and diverse ways that Catholic Music across the world can be an agent of Hope and Transformation – the conference themes. It also confirmed for me that a pilgrim people, need to sing together on the journey.
Fr Ricky Manalo, a Paulist priest, composer, missionary and theologian from the USA spoke inspiringly about the new multicultural face of our parishes and communities and how liturgical song is able to bring people together to share faith and life. I found this topic particularly relevant as we recently formed a Multicultural Choir at Star of the Sea Parish which has been a wonderful experience thus far. There are challenges however as we grow more diverse in finding ways to incorporate different cultures yet still express the unity and oneness we have as the church.
Rita Ferrone, also from the United States, is an independent scholar, writer, and speaker on issues of liturgy and catechesis in the Roman Catholic Church. The adult catechumenate has been a special focus of her work. In her key note addresses, Rita spoke eloquently and passionately about Pilgrimage. She used this metaphor to describe our life and faith journey with all its challenges, joys and sorrows and of the communal nature of pilgrimage – we travel the road together. The liturgy with music and song, sustains on us the journey. Rita also spoke of the transformative power of the liturgy and how central liturgy is to the evangelizing mission of the church.
Fr Richard Leonard also delivered a keynote address. He is an Australia Jesuit priest, scholar and was director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting for 22 years. He has lectured on faith and culture all over the world. Richard is dynamic speaker, moving us from bellyache laughing, to tears of deep emotion. His topic was ‘Anchored in Hope: Why Alleluia is Our Song’. He shared some of the deep challenges that our church, particularly the Australian church currently faces but tempered this with many signs and examples of hope. A small story about Pope Francis is an example. Fr Richard was in St Peter’s Square when the conclave concluded and Pope Francis was elected. Traditionally the new pope comes out onto the balcony and blesses the thousands of people gathered. Newly elected Pope Francis came out onto the balcony, took the microphone and with total humility asked the throng to ‘please bless me’ and bowed his head. Richard said the crowd went profoundly quiet, stretched out their hands and prayed for the new pope.
The Conference Mass was a really beautiful liturgy. Bishop Paul concelebrated with the Archbishop of Adelaide, Patrick O’Regan. We were led by a large and beautiful choir including a young girl with an angelic voice who sang the cantor’s parts.
There were a number of breakout sessions and workshops/electives covering a broad range of topics including the role music can play in the synodal church. A personal highlight was re-connecting with someone who was part of the music team at my wedding 40 years ago. She wasn’t a nun 40 years ago, but now Sr Anne Marie Obeirne is a Mercy sister and renowned scholar in the field of Environmental Theology. Anne Marie delivered a very interesting address about her role in a committee to advance the case for the church to establish a ‘Feast Day of Creation’. It was wonderful to re-connect with Anne Marie and hear of her work and mission.
It was also wonderful to connect with musicians, composers and music ministers from all over the country. I have recently completed a Mass setting called ‘Mass of Healing and Hope’ and I was able to share this with a few people at the conference. I would sincerely like to thank Bishop Paul and Fr John Fitzgerald, the Ballarat Diocese and my parish for supporting me by giving me the opportunity to attend the conference. I hope I am able to share some of my learnings and encourage others involved in music ministry in my parish and in our diocese.
Don Stewart
October 2025
Photos courtesy of APMN