New agency to enable a deeper faith and liturgical formation

31 Oct 2024

By Jamie O'Brien

Dr Suart is currently the Director of the Office of Christian Initiation and Interim Director of the Centre of Liturgy. Photo: Justice Goodrick.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last week announced a new agency.

The new Archdiocesan agency – the Centre for Christian Initiation and Liturgy – will further the work already undertaken by the two existing agencies, the Office of Christian Initiation and the Centre for Liturgy.

Development of the new agency will enable priests and parishes to be supported in worship, as well as through the ongoing provision of initial and ongoing formation to people as they deepen their relationship and encounter with Jesus through their experience of the fullness of our Catholic faith and tradition.

In making the announcement, Archbishop Costelloe said the consultations and discernment that took place highlighted and affirmed the strengths of the existing agencies and the long-standing contributions each have made over many decades, in their service of the church of Perth, and beyond. Photo: Ron Tan.

In making the announcement, Archbishop Costelloe said the consultations and discernment that took place highlighted and affirmed the strengths of the existing agencies and the long-standing contributions each have made over many decades, in their service of the church of Perth, and beyond.

“In furthering the mission of the Church in the areas of liturgy and Christian initiation, I have sought counsel on the opportunity to bring together these two key agencies,” he said.

Archbishop Costelloe has appointed Dr Carmel Suart as the inaugural Director of the Centre for Christian Initiation and Liturgy.

Speaking to The Record, Dr Suart said she is keen to ensure the mission of the Church is strengthened and renewed in the Archdiocese of Perth, through the work of the new agency. Photo: Samuel Chan.

Dr Suart is currently the Director of the Office of Christian Initiation and Interim Director of the Centre of Liturgy.

In recent years, Dr Suart has also made substantive contributions to Adsumus, the Archdiocesan Parish Renewal Project.

Archbishop Costelloe listens to two a candidate and their sponsor during the Rite of Election in 2017 at St Mary’s Cathedral. The celebration is a key event for the new Centre for Christian Initiation and Liturgy. Photo: Ron Tan.

Through Adsumus, Dr Suart has developed a deep understanding of the present needs of parishes, as well as renewal opportunities for parish life in the Archdiocese.

Speaking to The Record, Dr Suart said she is keen to ensure the mission of the Church is strengthened and renewed in the Archdiocese of Perth, through the work of the new agency.

“I’m particularly passionate about helping people to come to know Christ in their personal lives today, so that they can have a very meaningful relationship with him,” Dr Suart said.

“Liturgy and formation and two key components of our faith and I am really excited to be part of this new service,” she said.

Development of the new agency will enable priests and parishes to be supported in worship, as well as through the ongoing provision of initial and ongoing formation to people as they deepen their relationship and encounter with Jesus through their experience of the fullness of our Catholic faith and tradition. Photo: Ron Tan.

The Centre for Christian Initiation and Liturgy will soon be re-located to be co-located with Catholic Bioethics Perth in Jugan Street Glendalough.