Christopher Reilly was born in Manhattan and has spent the majority of his life as a resident of the Bronx. After parochial and high school, he attended Saint John’s University, after which he has furthered his study in the areas of Gregorian Chant, Liturgy, and leadership and organizational development.
In the Archdiocese of New York, he has ministered at Saint Raymond’s Parish in the Bronx, Saint Anthony’s Parish, Nepera Park, Yonkers, and Holy Name of Jesus, New Rochelle, and has taught at Dominican Academy in Manhattan.
Before coming to OLPH, he has spent the last decade working with two missionary organizations: the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers at their Generalate in Ossining, and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (Marymount Sisters) at their Provincialate in Tarrytown. In that time, he has also held leadership positions for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, with a particular responsibility for colleagues who are full-time employees of parishes and other institutions (laity & clergy), as well as organizing and facilitating workshops throughout the
United States.
Christopher has also served/is currently serving on the liturgical commissions for the Carmelite Province of Saint Elias, Capuchin Province of Saint Mary, National Religious Brothers Conference, and the Archdiocese of New York. He has also planned and facilitated retreats, gatherings, and other workshops for various groups of clergy and religious in different areas of the country.
In addition to all of his work in the Church, Christopher maintains a private practice for Leadership & Transition Coaching and Facilitation called The Life of Reilly.
Though a musician at heart with loves of various types of music, Christopher has a passion for good choral music and the blending of voices, but contends that no choir is more important to the liturgy than the assembly at song – the primary choir of the liturgy, in which every women, man, and child has a right and responsibility to sing.
Integration of all the aspects of his life – musician, missionary, coach, leader, friend, spiritualist – is essential to the occasion of encounter with all that he meets. “I realized a long time ago that our God is a God of surprises. And if you just pay attention to those surprises – be ready for an amazing ride!”
Christopher’s “mantra” is borrowed from his favorite philosopher, Dag Hammarskjold: For all that has been: Thanks. For all that will be: Yes!
In the Archdiocese of New York, he has ministered at Saint Raymond’s Parish in the Bronx, Saint Anthony’s Parish, Nepera Park, Yonkers, and Holy Name of Jesus, New Rochelle, and has taught at Dominican Academy in Manhattan.
Before coming to OLPH, he has spent the last decade working with two missionary organizations: the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers at their Generalate in Ossining, and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (Marymount Sisters) at their Provincialate in Tarrytown. In that time, he has also held leadership positions for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, with a particular responsibility for colleagues who are full-time employees of parishes and other institutions (laity & clergy), as well as organizing and facilitating workshops throughout the
United States.
Christopher has also served/is currently serving on the liturgical commissions for the Carmelite Province of Saint Elias, Capuchin Province of Saint Mary, National Religious Brothers Conference, and the Archdiocese of New York. He has also planned and facilitated retreats, gatherings, and other workshops for various groups of clergy and religious in different areas of the country.
In addition to all of his work in the Church, Christopher maintains a private practice for Leadership & Transition Coaching and Facilitation called The Life of Reilly.
Though a musician at heart with loves of various types of music, Christopher has a passion for good choral music and the blending of voices, but contends that no choir is more important to the liturgy than the assembly at song – the primary choir of the liturgy, in which every women, man, and child has a right and responsibility to sing.
Integration of all the aspects of his life – musician, missionary, coach, leader, friend, spiritualist – is essential to the occasion of encounter with all that he meets. “I realized a long time ago that our God is a God of surprises. And if you just pay attention to those surprises – be ready for an amazing ride!”
Christopher’s “mantra” is borrowed from his favorite philosopher, Dag Hammarskjold: For all that has been: Thanks. For all that will be: Yes!
