LITURGIST

With the mentorship of the wonderful Fr JT Cribben, I first studied Liturgy in 2000-2001 at the National Centre for Liturgy at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth under Fr Patrick Jones. I was one of the first students to receive the Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy.

The more I learned, the more I vowed that I would share my knowledge with as many people as possible. Knowing where we have come from, and why we do what we do, makes the Liturgy of the Church come alive. Our churches would become  different places!

As a primary teacher I have been able to use my skills in the faith life of the school. I wrote a collection of liturgies for every Monday of the school year. Children became presiders and led whole school prayer. They OWNED their worship! Hymn practice was ditched in favour of ‘Liturgy practice.’ We practised gestures, postures and silence! We had a weekly quiz to learn about religious objects, feast days, phrases in Latin and Greek, saints and much more.

I worked with Fr Cribben to plan creative liturgies throughout the year, using signs, symbols and the senses, whilst keeping to the fundamental principles of good liturgy.

In 2011, I returned to Maynooth and completed my Masters Degree in Theology under Professor Liam Tracey, specialising in Liturgy.

My major thesis was on ‘Bread: Sign, Symbol and Sacrament.’

Since 2016, I have been visiting schools, parishes and religious communities, giving Liturgical, Musical and RE training to both adults and young people. 

I have written several articles on Pastoral liturgy for Intercom, a Magazine of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference and now write a monthly article on Liturgy for 'Reality' Magazine published by the Irish Redemptorists.