St John Paul II Parish
Sacred Music Program
Join us in Worship
St John Paul II seeks to foster a rich cultural and liturgical life through the celebration of sacred music. 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’ Series
Join us for sacred music, scripture and prayer in the beautiful setting of St Peter’s. Our sacred music series brings together Melbourne’s finest soloists with an ensemble choir, organ music and timeless works, revealing the presence of God and drawing us into deeper communion with Him.
Upcoming sacred music events:
-
Liturgy accompanied by sacred music
Friday 31 October
7:00PM • St Peter’s Toorak'Be taken on a journey as dusk descends into evening and the darkness of night approaches dawn: foreboding, fear and despair turn to hope.'
-
A sacred music concert with scripture and prayer
Friday 28 November
7:00PM • St Peter’s Toorak‘A season of anticipation, reflection and hope, inviting you to enter into its spirit through music inspired by prophecy and promise.’
-
An evening of adoration, sacred music and scripture
Sunday 21 December
7:00PM • St Peter’s Toorak“Be led through the ancient prayers of the Church, seven antiphons that give voice to the hope and expectation of Advent, guiding our hearts to the coming of our Saviour, Emmanuel.”
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.
Stay Connected with Parish Life
Subscribe to receive weekly updates on upcoming events, faith-related content, parish news and opportunities to get involved in the community.