St John Paul II Parish
Sacred Music Program
St John Paul II seeks to foster a rich cultural and liturgical life. Our Sacred Music Program supports the arts and continues the tradition of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony. Through music, we hope to deepen the beauty of the liturgy and invite people into a fuller experience of the Church’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
The ‘Encountering Beauty’ Concert Series
We invite you to join us for evenings of sacred music, scripture and prayer. Held monthly in the beautiful setting of St Peter’s, Toorak, each event is uniquely themed, offering expressions of beauty and worship, featuring timeless pieces performed by some of Melbourne’s finest singers and musicians. We invite you to enter this encounter with beauty, expressed through the Church’s rich musical tradition, revealing the presence of God and drawing us into communion with Him.
Music at Mass
Music plays a central role in our Sunday liturgies, drawing us deeper into the mystery of the Mass. Our churches are blessed with gifted musicians. With a dedicated cantor for Sunday masses, and dedicated organists for both our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter’s.
Prayer and Devotion
We hold evenings of Adoration accompanied by sacred music, including a cappella Gregorian chant. These moments create a space of worship and reverence, offering the chance to encounter Christ. We’d love you to join us, see our Parish Calendar for more information.
Our Historic Organ
The historic pipe organ now housed in St Peter’s Church on Toorak Road has a rich and fascinating story—spanning continents, parishes, and nearly two centuries of liturgical music. Today, the organ continues to serve the Church, supporting the celebration of the liturgy at St Peter’s. Its restored sound and beauty play a central role in the parish’s sacred music programme, enriching worship and contributing to the cultural and spiritual life of the community.
Our Director of Music
Conrad Helfrich is an accomplished musician with a deep love for sacred music and the role it plays in the life of the Church. He trained as a classical pianist and pipe organist at Brighton Grammar School at St Andrew’s, Brighton. His professional career spans decades, with work as a Music Director, Supervisor, Orchestrator, and Arranger across London’s West End, Broadway, the USA, and Europe. He has twice received ARIA Awards for his contributions to Music Supervision, Production, Vocal Arranging, and Conducting in Australia. Before joining our parish, Conrad served as Music Director at St Stephen’s, Richmond and St Bartholomew’s, Burnley. Now, as Director of Music for St John Paul II, he supports the beauty of the liturgy and helps to preserve and promote the Church’s rich musical tradition.
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