Music Ministry

John leads a joyful and engaging Celebration of our Catholic Faith which is suitable for children, staff and families.  Each Celebration includes:

• Song, movement, prayer, and story

• Strong links to the K-6 RE Curriculum

• Scripture, Doctrine and Sacraments

All celebrations are designed in consultation to meet the needs of your community. Please refer to the contact details below to book your initial consultation meeting with John to plan this unique Celebration for your school.

Contact: John Burland via 0416 047 815 or john.burland@syd.catholic.edu.au.

John leads the community on a prayerful and reverent journey through Holy Week.  Using song, movement, prayer and narration based closely on the Scriptures, the celebration recalls the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ.  

Suitable for children from Kindergarten to Year 6.  Each student is actively involved in bringing the journey of Holy Week alive.  

Please refer to the contact details below to make a booking for your school.

Bookings for 2026 now available!

Contact: John Burland via 0416 047 815 or john.burland@syd.catholic.edu.au.

John leads the community on a joyful celebration of Advent and Christmas. Using song and narration based closely on the Scriptures the celebration retells the events leading up to and including the birth of Jesus Christ.  

Suitable for children from Kindergarten to Year 6.  Each student is actively involved in bringing the journey of Advent and Christmas alive.  

Please refer to the contact details below to make a booking for your school.

Bookings for 2026 now available!

Contact: John Burland via 0416 047 815 or john.burland@syd.catholic.edu.au.

John works with school communities to write, produce, and record (onsite) a professional school song that celebrates the unique mission and vision of each individual school community. The process involves leading students and staff through the song writing journey as they create their own school song with John.  

This is a student focused process and authenticity empowers and values the voice and talent of each community.

John also reworks existing school songs to bring them up to date and adapt to revise school mission and visions statements. Please refer to the contact details below if you would like to engage John to rework or develop your school song.*

*Must be done after obtaining approval from the School Principal.

Contact: John Burland via 0416 047 815 or john.burland@syd.catholic.edu.au.

John and Cheryl have produced the Faith, Fun and Celebration video series resources for schools and families. These are Catechetical Evangelisation YouTube resources for students and families.  They are available via the Mission and Identity YouTube Channel. The videos available are:

• Lent

• Holy Week

• Easter

• Pentecost and Confirmation

• Eucharist

• Advent

• Christmas

• Healthy Friendship Week

• Back to Parish (Promo)

In 2026 John and Cheryl will be leading LIVE Faith, Fun and Celebrations in a Network or area near you.  (More details to come)

If you would like to register your interest to attend, or have John and Cheryl present/perform/record in your school, please email:

Contact: John Burland via 0416 047 815 or john.burland@syd.catholic.edu.au.

John is available to facilitate Professional Development for staff in the following areas:

• Using music to teach doctrine, Scripture and traditional Catholic prayer

• Incorporating music effectively into Classroom RE lessons

• Music for teaching and celebrating the sacraments

• Selecting appropriate music for Masses with children

• Songs for the Journey: Music to nurture our journey in faith.

 This can be customised to suit the specific needs of your team/group/school.  Please contact John via the contact details listed below to schedule an initial consultation meeting to plan this unique initiative for you and your target group.

Contact: John Burland via 0416 047 815 or john.burland@syd.catholic.edu.au.