Clare Schwantes

Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings. Background in creative copywriting, editing and directing projects for printed and web-based platforms. Skilled communicator adept at collaborating effectively and cohesively with multidisciplinary teams and contract professionals.

January 2021 - present

Chair - National Liturgical Council

The National Liturgical Council (NLC) is an advisory body established by the Australian Catholic Bishops under provisions 4.3 and 5.1 of the Mandate of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy for the purpose of advising the Commission on matters pertaining to Catholic liturgical worship in Australia.

As Chair of the Council, my role includes frequent consultation with the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission to monitor the progress of various projects,  including the Lectionary project whereby plans are underway for the revision and publication of a revised Lectionary using the Revised New Jerusalem Bible translation. This involves working alongside Bishops Conferences in Ireland and New Zealand, and seeking interpretations from canon lawyers about the implications of the recent Motu Proprio, Magnum Principium, which granted bishops’ conferences greater control over the translation of liturgical texts. It also involves the preparation of agendas for the five annual meetings held by the NLC.

For the 2022-2023 year, this role included co-convening a National Liturgy Conference to be held in Brisbane, with international keynote speakers and a range of liturgical and liturgical music experts from around Australia.

2018 - present

Member - National Liturgical Council

January 2021 - July 2022

Australian Plenary Council Liturgy Co-ordinator (QLD)

The Fifth Plenary Council of Australia was held to dialogue about the future of the Catholic Church in Australia. A Plenary Council is the highest form of gathering of local church and has legislative and governance authority. The decisions that are made at the Council become binding for the Catholic Church in Australia. The First Assembly, which took place from 3-10 October 2021 was the result of many months of planning. The Second General Assembly is scheduled for July 2022.

My role on this working committee in 2021 involved the preparation of the liturgical events which took place on each day of the Plenary Assembly. Planning these Masses required selection of prayers, readings, music, the organisation of liturgical ministers to fulfil the various roles, and working closely with the Cathedral staff especially the Director of Music and with the Archdiocesan Communications Team for the purposes of livestreaming these liturgies. Prayer experiences were also prepared from October 2021 to June 2022 in both printed and digital forms. My role also included working with the hub facilitator in QLD, as part of the broader Plenary Council Team.

2014 - present

Member - Liturgy News Editorial Board

Member of editorial board and contributing author. The board decides upon upcoming articles, commissions authors, and edits all submissions before publication.

2017 - present

Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy

Secretary and Member of this Commission which advises the Archbishop on matters pertaining to liturgy. The role includes preparing reports to send to schools and parishes 5 times a year.

2014 - present

Archdiocesan Catechumenate Committee

As a member of this Committee, I am involved in planning formation experiences for catechists who prepare catechumens for baptism. A key part of this group’s work is the planning of the Rite of Election held in the Cathedral each year where all catechumens from the Brisbane Archdiocese gather.

2022-   present

Societas Liturgica

Societas Liturgica is the international ecumenical society for the study of Christian   liturgy and worship. Societas Liturgica has around 300 members who are researchers, academics or practitioners.

2020 - present

Australian Pastoral Musicians Network

The Australian Pastoral Musicians Network   supports dioceses and Christian worshipping communities through promoting   excellence in liturgical, catechetical and religious music.

2019 - present

National Liturgical Council

The National Liturgical Council is an advisory body established by   the Australian Catholic Bishops to advise the Bishops Commission For Liturgy on   matters pertaining to Catholic liturgical worship.

2019  - present

Australian Liturgy Nexus

The Liturgy Nexus is an online network for professional   Catholic liturgists and those working in areas related to liturgy, sacraments   and the sacred arts. It is a subscription-based, closed network for   conversation on liturgical issues, resource sharing and problem solving.

2018   - present

Archdiocesan Commission on the Liturgy

Assists the Archbishop who is the moderator, promoter and custodian of the liturgical life of the archdiocese.   Reviews the liturgical life of the archdiocese and identifies areas of liturgical need. Provides a reference group for and works with Liturgy   Brisbane in its publishing and educational activities.

2017  - present

Australian Academy of Liturgy

The Australian Academy of Liturgy is an ecumenical association of specialists in   Christian Liturgy and related disciplines, with a particular commitment to   the understanding and development of liturgy in the Australian context.

2014 - present

Archdiocesan Catechumenate Committee

Plans formation experiences for catechists who prepare catechumens for baptism. Prepares the Rite of Election held in the Cathedral   each year where all catechumens from the Brisbane Archdiocese gather for Mass.