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Constitution

In 1996, a meeting was convened with a view to forming a Diocesan Liturgy Commission within the Bathurst Diocese. The following year the Commission's Constitution was approved and formal meetings began.

The Commission meets four times a year, with Bishop Patrick Dougherty attending each meeting and operates with three sub-committees:- Resources, Communication and Implementation of the Revision of the Roman Missal.

Since its inception, the Commission has been active in the Liturgical life of the Diocese and beyond. Members have studied Mass settings, proposed new liturgical documents, funerals and their celebrations and the RCIA within the Diocese.

Members have attended both National and State Liturgy Conferences to keep up-to-date and the Commission has:

·  Organised Regional liturgy gatherings throughout the Diocese;
·  Carried out training in the Diocese;
·  Assisted in organising and teaching Pastoral Liturgy programmes from the Catholic Institute of Sydney;
·  Liaised with the CEO and Catholic Schools ;
·  Hosted a State Liturgy Conference;
·  Issued material for inclusion in parish bulletins;
·  Contributed to the Liturgy and Life column in the Catholic Observer and
·  Contributed to the material for comment from the NLC.

Current members of the Commission are:-

	Sr Christina Morrissey is a Sister of St. Joseph (Perthville Congregation) and has been involved in Liturgy and Church music in the Diocese for many years. After completing a Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy at Carlow, Ireland Sr Christina was appointed by Bishop Dougherty in 1995 as his first step in inaugurating the Diocesan Liturgy Commission which officially began in 1996. Sr Christina has been Secretary to the Commission for the past eleven years. She is currently Mission Co-ordinator at St. Joseph's College Perthville, and is involved with the students of St Josephs' in preparing for the Saturday evening Parish Liturgy at Perthville.

	Mr David Nelson is Chairman of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission. David has been involved in parish liturgy committees since 1987 and has attended State and National Liturgy Commission Conferences since joining the Diocesan Commission. David is currently studying a Master of Theology (Liturgical Studies) degree through the Broken Bay Institute, which he anticipates completing in 2010. Married to Denise, with three young children - Kieran, Brendan and Grace - he is an active member of the Cathedral Parish where he is involved with the Baptism Sacramental Programme.

	Fr Tim Cahill was born in Wellington NSW, where he attended school and began his music studies. Tim was ordained priest for the Diocese of Bathurst in 1985, and has ministered in the parishes of Bathurst Cathedral, Orange , Cowra, Dunedoo-Coolah and Wellington , where he is currently Pastor. He was also the Catholic Chaplain at Charles Sturt University 's Bathurst campus for 8 years. Besides Liturgy, music and the study of languages, Fr Tim is an avid reader, and has been a member of several folk music groups. He enjoys history, architecture, cooking and is currently the Chair of the Commission for Ecumenism in the Bathurst Diocese. He also holds state and national appointments in the field of Ecumenism.

	Sr Ann Morrison is a Sister of St Joseph from Perthville currently living in Molong and working with Adult Faith Formation within the Diocese. Ann has previously worked within the Catholic School System both in Bathurst and Parramatta Dioceses. Ann also has experience of working in a Pastoral Role in parish life, being involved in such areas as Liturgy, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Bereavement Support, Adult Faith Formation, Effectiveness Training for Parents, Teachers and Children, to name a few. Ann has a Master of Arts Degree in Theology with a Major in Spiritual Direction. She has a passion for assisting people develop a deeper relationship with God.

	Dr Angelo Belmonte has been involved in Catholic education for over 20 years, during which time he has held a number of teaching and executive positions. At present, he is the Religious Education Consultant of the Bathurst Diocese. Following his initial teaching qualification, Angelo completed Master degrees in Religious Education and Educational Leadership. In 2006, he completed the Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Queensland and his thesis was recently awarded the Bassett and Grassie Award for Academic Excellence by the University of Queensland and the Australian Council for Educational Leadership. It explored the practice of leadership in Catholic schools, within the reality that Catholic School Principalship in Australia is now predominantly a mission of the laity.

	Fr Patrick O’Regan - With the retirement of Bishop Dougherty in 2008, Fr Pat was appointed Diocesan Administrator until Bishop Michael McKenna was Ordained and Installed on 26th June 2009. He is the Diocesan Chancellor, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Assistant Priest of the Cathedral Parish in Bathurst and a member of the National Liturgical Council. Fr Pat studied sacramental theology and liturgy at the Institut Catholique in Paris, graduating in 2002 with an STL. His interests are in pastoral liturgy and the theology of the Eucharist. He is also involved in adult education formation within the Diocese and beyond and the formation of trainee teachers, as well teaching at the Catholic Institute of Sydney.