LITURGY NEWS 2018
Christmas 2018

We praise you, gracious God,
for the glad tidings of peace,
the good news of salvation:
your Word made flesh,
and we have seen his glory.
Let the radiance of that glory
enlighten the lives
of those who celebrate his birth.
Reveal to all the world
the light no darkness can extinguish,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendour of eternal light,
God for ever and ever.
The National Centre for Liturgy wishes each and everyone a very Happy Christmas and every blessing for 2019
for the glad tidings of peace,
the good news of salvation:
your Word made flesh,
and we have seen his glory.
Let the radiance of that glory
enlighten the lives
of those who celebrate his birth.
Reveal to all the world
the light no darkness can extinguish,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendour of eternal light,
God for ever and ever.
The National Centre for Liturgy wishes each and everyone a very Happy Christmas and every blessing for 2019
December 2018
End of the First Academic Semester
The National Centre for Liturgy concluded the first semester of the academic year with an Advent Evening Prayer based on the 'O Antiphons'. The music setting was composed by Seoirse Bodley. The Faculty of Theology with its post-graduate students also celebrated Evening Prayer in St Mary's Oratory. The presider was Rev. Michael Mullaney, President of St Patrick's College and the liturgy was prepared by the National Centre for Liturgy.
The National Centre for Liturgy ended the 10 week course Leading the Christian Assembly in Public Prayer – forming lay leaders in the task of presiding. The course provided training for those who may be called upon to undertake roles of leadership when the Eucharist cannot be celebrated on weekdays. It included celebrating the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours - leading prayer when the Eucharist is not celebrated and leading certain rites of the Order of Christian Funerals. 24 people are participating in this course coming from the parishes of Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin, Blanchardstown, Hartstown, Clonsilla, Palmerstown, Celbridge, Maynooth.
The National Centre offers another 10 week course to parishes interested in participating, beginning the first week of February 2019. The title of the course is:
Sacraments: Parish Celebrations on Life's Journey
End of the First Academic Semester
The National Centre for Liturgy concluded the first semester of the academic year with an Advent Evening Prayer based on the 'O Antiphons'. The music setting was composed by Seoirse Bodley. The Faculty of Theology with its post-graduate students also celebrated Evening Prayer in St Mary's Oratory. The presider was Rev. Michael Mullaney, President of St Patrick's College and the liturgy was prepared by the National Centre for Liturgy.
The National Centre for Liturgy ended the 10 week course Leading the Christian Assembly in Public Prayer – forming lay leaders in the task of presiding. The course provided training for those who may be called upon to undertake roles of leadership when the Eucharist cannot be celebrated on weekdays. It included celebrating the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours - leading prayer when the Eucharist is not celebrated and leading certain rites of the Order of Christian Funerals. 24 people are participating in this course coming from the parishes of Dun Laoghaire, Sallynoggin, Blanchardstown, Hartstown, Clonsilla, Palmerstown, Celbridge, Maynooth.
The National Centre offers another 10 week course to parishes interested in participating, beginning the first week of February 2019. The title of the course is:
Sacraments: Parish Celebrations on Life's Journey

9-11 November 2018
Liturgical Conference Glenstal
Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Co. Limerick held their second liturgical conference In Search of the Holy from Friday, 9 Novembeer to Sunday 11 November 2018. Up to 65 people participated in the Conference.
The lectures and workshops were conducted by Carol Harrison (Christ Church, Oxford) - Music and the Conversion of the Affections in Augustine's Confessions; Dr John O'Keeffe (St Patrick's College, Maynooth) - Doors to the Sacred: The Communal Sung Texts of the Mass; Rev Mark Patrick Hederman OSB (Glenstal) - Between Fact and Fiction: the Forgotten Language of Symbolism; Dr Jessie Rogers, (St Patrick's College, Maynooth) - Standing on Holy Ground: Encounters with God on the Sscred Mountain; Rev Colulmba McCann OSB (Glenstal) - What would St Benedict Say? Johanna Wiese (Dinklage) - Making Space for the Holy; Rev. Henry O'Shea OSB (Glenstal) - Liturgical Spaces and Word of Art. Complement or Competition; Rev. Luke McNamara OSB Glenstal - The Transfiguration - A Holy God for a Holy People
Rev. Patrick Jones, former director of the National Centre for Liturgy was awarded the first Glenstal Liturgical Award for his "lifelong service to the study, promotion and celebration of the Sacred Liturgy". He was presented with the award by Abbot Brendan Coffey OSB, Glenstal Abbey.
Liturgical Conference Glenstal
Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Co. Limerick held their second liturgical conference In Search of the Holy from Friday, 9 Novembeer to Sunday 11 November 2018. Up to 65 people participated in the Conference.
The lectures and workshops were conducted by Carol Harrison (Christ Church, Oxford) - Music and the Conversion of the Affections in Augustine's Confessions; Dr John O'Keeffe (St Patrick's College, Maynooth) - Doors to the Sacred: The Communal Sung Texts of the Mass; Rev Mark Patrick Hederman OSB (Glenstal) - Between Fact and Fiction: the Forgotten Language of Symbolism; Dr Jessie Rogers, (St Patrick's College, Maynooth) - Standing on Holy Ground: Encounters with God on the Sscred Mountain; Rev Colulmba McCann OSB (Glenstal) - What would St Benedict Say? Johanna Wiese (Dinklage) - Making Space for the Holy; Rev. Henry O'Shea OSB (Glenstal) - Liturgical Spaces and Word of Art. Complement or Competition; Rev. Luke McNamara OSB Glenstal - The Transfiguration - A Holy God for a Holy People
Rev. Patrick Jones, former director of the National Centre for Liturgy was awarded the first Glenstal Liturgical Award for his "lifelong service to the study, promotion and celebration of the Sacred Liturgy". He was presented with the award by Abbot Brendan Coffey OSB, Glenstal Abbey.
10 November - Graduation 2018
Conferring at the Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth took place on Saturday, 10 November 2018 with Archbishop Eamon Martin presiding.
Five students graduated from the National Centre for Liturgy:
Catherine Daly, (Diocese of Cloyne) Master’s in Theology, specialising in Liturgy (in absentia)
Fr Fidelis Leburi, (Nigeria) Masters in Theology, specialising in Liturgy (in absentia)
Fr Anthony Sandanasamy, (Sri Lanka) Masters in Theology, specialising in Liturgy (in absentia)
Fr Charles Mariadas, (Sri Lanka) Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy.(in absentia)
Jacqueline Haynes, (Celbridge, Co. Kildare) Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy
Fr Aloysius Zuribo, (Archdiocese of Dublin) PhD in Liturgy. He began his study of Liturgy at the National Centre for Liturgy 2012-13. The title of his dessertation was "Eucharist and Solidarity: A Recurrent Theme In The Works of John Paul II"
Rev. Martin Donnelly, Permanent Deacon, Diocese of Clogher and former student of the National Centre for Liturgy 2013-14 received the Diploma in Deaconal Studies
Fr Danny Murphy, Fr Liam Tracey, OSM, and Sister Moira Bergin congratulate all the students on their awards.
Conferring at the Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth took place on Saturday, 10 November 2018 with Archbishop Eamon Martin presiding.
Five students graduated from the National Centre for Liturgy:
Catherine Daly, (Diocese of Cloyne) Master’s in Theology, specialising in Liturgy (in absentia)
Fr Fidelis Leburi, (Nigeria) Masters in Theology, specialising in Liturgy (in absentia)
Fr Anthony Sandanasamy, (Sri Lanka) Masters in Theology, specialising in Liturgy (in absentia)
Fr Charles Mariadas, (Sri Lanka) Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy.(in absentia)
Jacqueline Haynes, (Celbridge, Co. Kildare) Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy
Fr Aloysius Zuribo, (Archdiocese of Dublin) PhD in Liturgy. He began his study of Liturgy at the National Centre for Liturgy 2012-13. The title of his dessertation was "Eucharist and Solidarity: A Recurrent Theme In The Works of John Paul II"
Rev. Martin Donnelly, Permanent Deacon, Diocese of Clogher and former student of the National Centre for Liturgy 2013-14 received the Diploma in Deaconal Studies
Fr Danny Murphy, Fr Liam Tracey, OSM, and Sister Moira Bergin congratulate all the students on their awards.
11 October 2018
The death has taken place of Bishop Laurence Forristal, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Ossory. Bishop Forristal was a member of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy from 1980, shortly after his ordination as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin, until 1984. He was appointed Bishop of Ossory in 1981 and retired in 2007.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.
The death has taken place of Bishop Laurence Forristal, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Ossory. Bishop Forristal was a member of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy from 1980, shortly after his ordination as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin, until 1984. He was appointed Bishop of Ossory in 1981 and retired in 2007.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.
1 October 2018 - Liturgical Calendar
The Liturgical Calendar for Ireland 2019 is an adaptation for use in the dioceses of Ireland of the Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar. It is published by Veritas Publications for the National Secretariat for Liturgy
The cover image is taken from the Papal Mass, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 26 August 2018.
The cover image is taken from the Papal Mass, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 26 August 2018.

25 September 2018 - Academic Year Begins
The National Centre for Liturgy began its 44th academic year on 24 September 2018. In the first semester it offered parishes a ten week course Leading the Christian Assembly in Public Prayer – forming lay leaders in the task of presiding. The course provides training for those who may be called upon to undertake roles of leadership when the Eucharist cannot be celebrated on weekdays. It includes celebrating the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours - leading prayer when the Eucharist is not celebrated and leading certain rites of the Order of Christian Funerals. 24 people are participating in this course.
The National Centre for Liturgy is committed to the task of helping parishes to prepare people to lead daily gatherings of prayer.

16 August 2018
World Meeting of Families 2018
The National Centre for Liturgy extends good wishes and every success to the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin, 21-26 August 2018.
A Céad Míle Fáilte is extended to His Holiness, Pope Francis when he arrives in Dublin, 25 August 2018.
World Meeting of Families 2018
The National Centre for Liturgy extends good wishes and every success to the World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin, 21-26 August 2018.
A Céad Míle Fáilte is extended to His Holiness, Pope Francis when he arrives in Dublin, 25 August 2018.
29 July 2018
The death has taken place of Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh, OFM, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Dublin. Bishop Fiachra was a member of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy from November 1994, shortly after his ordination as bishop, until September 2009, when his resignation as auxiliary bishop was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI. While ill health prevented him from attending many meetings his presence was much appreciated by members of the Irish Commission for Liturgy and an Coiste Comhairleach um an Liotúirge i nGaeilge.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís.
25 June 2018
LEADING THE CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY IN PUBLIC PRAYER
Forming Lay Leaders in the Task of Presiding
10 Week Course begins 25 September 2018
LEADING THE CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY IN PUBLIC PRAYER
Forming Lay Leaders in the Task of Presiding
10 Week Course begins 25 September 2018

The National Centre for Liturgy are planning for the next academic year which begins September 2018. In the first semester it offers to parishes a ten week course Leading the Christian Assembly in Public Prayer – forming lay leaders in the task of presiding. The course will provide training for those who may be called upon to undertake roles of leadership when the Eucharist cannot be celebrated on weekdays. It will include celebrating the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Hours - leading prayer when the Eucharist is not celebrated and leading certain rites of the Order of Christian Funerals.
The National Centre for Liturgy is committed to the task of helping parishes to prepare people to lead daily gatherings of prayer.
For more information please download brochure:
Leading the Christian Assembly in Public Prayer
The National Centre for Liturgy is committed to the task of helping parishes to prepare people to lead daily gatherings of prayer.
For more information please download brochure:
Leading the Christian Assembly in Public Prayer

17 June 2018 - Past Student Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate
On Sunday 17 June 2018, the Diocese of Clogher and the St Michael’s Parish, Enniskillen, celebrated the Ordination to the Diaconate of Martin Donnelly, Enniskillen. Martin’s was the first ordination to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Clogher since its re-introduction following the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The ordaining prelate was Most Rev Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Raphoe. The principal concelebrants included Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Clogher and the Parish Priest of Enniskillen, Monsignor Peter O’Reilly.
Also present were a number of deacons from different dioceses across the north of Ireland, including those who participated with Martin in his formation programme in the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Martin’s wife Caitlín, their children Ciara and Brian and their spouses Cathal and Ruth, together with Martin’s mother Nan, were also be present and participated in the liturgy.
The National Centre for Liturgy congratulates Rev Martin Donnelly on his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate. Martin was a student at the National Centre 2013-14 and received his Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy.
On Sunday 17 June 2018, the Diocese of Clogher and the St Michael’s Parish, Enniskillen, celebrated the Ordination to the Diaconate of Martin Donnelly, Enniskillen. Martin’s was the first ordination to the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Clogher since its re-introduction following the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The ordaining prelate was Most Rev Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Raphoe. The principal concelebrants included Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Clogher and the Parish Priest of Enniskillen, Monsignor Peter O’Reilly.
Also present were a number of deacons from different dioceses across the north of Ireland, including those who participated with Martin in his formation programme in the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Martin’s wife Caitlín, their children Ciara and Brian and their spouses Cathal and Ruth, together with Martin’s mother Nan, were also be present and participated in the liturgy.
The National Centre for Liturgy congratulates Rev Martin Donnelly on his ordination to the Permanent Diaconate. Martin was a student at the National Centre 2013-14 and received his Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy.
22 April 2018
Television Mass RTÉ
The Centre was involved with the National Vocations Directors for the Mass televised on RTÉ on Sunday, 2 April 2018. Staff, students, past students and friends of the Centre participated in the Mass broadcast. Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns presided. Sr. Moira Bergin was the director of music.
Television Mass RTÉ
The Centre was involved with the National Vocations Directors for the Mass televised on RTÉ on Sunday, 2 April 2018. Staff, students, past students and friends of the Centre participated in the Mass broadcast. Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Ferns presided. Sr. Moira Bergin was the director of music.
2 March 2018
Courses in Liturgy, Academic Year 2018-19
The National Centre for Liturgy began the new academic year 2017-18 on Monday, 18 September 2017.
Classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the academic year beginning at 10.00am and concluding at 4.00pm each day. (See Courses)
For further information contact: liturgy@spcm.ie
29 January 2018
Second Semester Begins at the National Centre for Liturgy
The Second Semester of the academic year 2017-18 began on 29 January 2018.
Eight students continue their studies for MTh, specialisation in liturgy, Higher Diploma and Diploma in Liturgy. The students come from Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Indonesia, Limerick, Cork, Dublin and Belfast.
Eight students continue their second year taking the Diploma in Arts (Church Music) programme conducted by the Department of Music, Maynooth University in association with the National Centre for Liturgy. The liturgy component takes place at the Centre during the twelve weekend programme throughout the academic year.
Second Semester Begins at the National Centre for Liturgy
The Second Semester of the academic year 2017-18 began on 29 January 2018.
Eight students continue their studies for MTh, specialisation in liturgy, Higher Diploma and Diploma in Liturgy. The students come from Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Indonesia, Limerick, Cork, Dublin and Belfast.
Eight students continue their second year taking the Diploma in Arts (Church Music) programme conducted by the Department of Music, Maynooth University in association with the National Centre for Liturgy. The liturgy component takes place at the Centre during the twelve weekend programme throughout the academic year.