Rev. Michael McGourty

Reverend Michael McGourty

Sessional Lecturer

EDUCATION

Diploma in Professional Addiction Studies from McMaster University (2019- 2021)
Doctorate in Sacred Liturgy, Pontifical Institute for Sacred Liturgy, Pontificium Athenaeum S. Anselmi de Urbe, Rome (1999-2004). Thesis title: “A Theology for a Parish Community: A Reading of Ordo dedicationis ecclesiae.” Supervisor: Reverend Doctor Casian Folsom, O.S.B.
Diploma in Architecture and Sacred Art for the Liturgy, Pontifical Institute for Sacred Liturgy, Pontifical Institute for Sacred Liturgy, Pontificium Athenaeum S. Anselmi de Urbe, Rome(1999-2000)
Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy, Pontifical Institute for Sacred Liturgy, Pontificium Athenaeum S. Anselmi de Urbe, Rome (1996-1999)
M. Div. St. Augustine’s Seminary, Scarborough, Ontario (1987-1991)
S.T.B. St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, Ontario (1987-1991)
Hon. B.A. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (1983-1987)

AREA OF SPECIALIZATION

  • Liturgy, sacraments and pastoral catechesis

BIOGRAPHY

Father Michael McGourty was born in Toronto at St. Joseph’s Hospital. His parents moved the family to Markham, where he grew up, when he was eight years old. He attended St. Joseph’s elementary school in Markham and St. Robert’s High School in Thornhill. After graduating from High School he attended McMaster University in Hamilton, where he received an honours bachelor degree in political science. While attending McMaster University he rediscovered his faith and spent a summer at the Cistercian Monastery that was in Orangeville, Ontario.  After this experience, he decided to apply to St. Augustine’s Seminary and discern a vocation to the priesthood. Fr. Michael was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Toronto in 1992 and first served as an associate pastor at St. Anselm’s Parish in Leaside. He went to Rome to study liturgy in 1996 and received a licence and doctorate in liturgy from the Pontifical Institute for Sacred Liturgy. Since then, he has taught liturgy and sacraments at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto and St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario. While at St. Augustine’s Seminary, he also served as dean of studies and students. He has served as pastor at St. John the Evangelist in Weston from 2009-2015 and pastor at St. Peter’s Parish in Toronto from 2015 to present.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS / SELECTED AREAS OF SERVICE / PASTORAL WORK

  • McGourty, Michael. Sent Out into the World: A Liturgical Theology for a Parish Community and the New Evangelization–A Reading of The Order of the Dedication of a Church (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024) 

  • A Theology for a Parish Community: A Reading of Ordo dedicationis ecclesiae (2004).

  • Pastor, St. John the Evangelist (2009 -2015) and St. Peter’s, Toronto (2015 to present).

  • Workshops:

    • The Ministry of Acolyte

    • The Ministry of Lector

    • How to Start and Sustain a Parish R.C.I.A. Program

    • The Theology of the “body of Christ” as a Vibrant Theology of Stewardship for a Parish Community

    • The Basics for a Parish R.C.I.A

    • The “Rite of Dedication for a Church and Altar.”

    • The History of the Liturgy