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Events

Past Events

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations

You are invited to attend the Eucharistic Adoration on the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations at the Crypt on Sunday, 21 April anytime from 12 noon until 5pm. The event honours vocations and help raise awareness of religious and consecrated life in Australia. Information will be made available from various religious congregations.

Download the flyer here

For more information, please contact Sr Anthony Mary Diago, rsm on 02 9390 5970 or email sr.anthony.mary@sydneycatholic.org

ANZAC Vigil Mass of Rememberance

A Solemn Vigil Mass of Remembrance for ANZAC will be held on 24th April at 5.30pm at St Mary's Cathedral. The Mass is offered for peace, and for the lives and service of members of the Australian Defence Force. It is celebrated by the Archbishop and concelebrated by past and present chaplains of the Defence Force.

During the Mass the Colours of the Three Services will be paraded into the Cathedral by a Tri-Service Colour Party. A Military Band will provide the music. About eleven years ago this ANZAC EVE Mass was recognized as worthy of official Defence Force representation for the ceremonial as is the case with the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph.

Any retired or service military personnel are welcome to attend and are asked to contact the Cathedral Office on (02) 9220 0414 or email valentina.markovina@sydneycatholic.org to ensure seating. All others, particularly the youth, are welcome to attend and to pay their respects to the Fallen, and to pray for those who serve or have served the nation in a military or civilian capacity in the defence of Australia.

Marriage Sunday: Celebrating & Commemorating Marriages at St Mary's Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral has been the place of many marriages. The archives reveal that during World War II over 300 marriages were celebrated in one year.

To commemorate marriages that have taken place at St Mary's, the Cathedral invites those married here to return with their families for a special Mass of Thanksgiving, Blessing and Renewal of Vows. Certificates will also be presented for special anniversaries.

The Way of the Cross

The annual Easter prayer vigil, The Way of the Cross, is held each year in Hyde Park on Easter Good Friday at 5pm.

The Way of the Cross is a dramatised version of the Stations of the Cross commencing next to the Archibald Fountain. The Cross processes along Central Avenue for prayers in different languages and hymns at the fourteen stations.

Good Friday this year falls on 22nd April 2011.

Embrace, the Youth Group at St Mary's, assist in this annual event.

ANZAC Vigil Mass of Remembrance

A Solemn Vigil Mass of Remembrance for ANZAC is held each year on 24th April at 6pm at St Mary's Cathedral. The Mass is offered for peace, and for the lives and service of members of the Australian Defence Force. It is celebrated by the Archbishop and concelebrated by past and present chaplains of the Defence Force.

During the Mass the Colours of the Three Services will be paraded into the Cathedral by a Tri-Service Colour Party. A Military Band will provide the music.

About eleven years ago this ANZAC EVE Mass was recognized as worthy of official Defence Force representation for the ceremonial as is the case with the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph.

Any retired or service military personnel are welcome to attend and are asked to contact the Cathedral Office on (02) 9220 0414 or email hhofman@stmaryscathedral.org.au to ensure seating. All others, particularly the youth, are welcome to attend and to pay their respects to the Fallen, and to pray for those who serve or have served the nation in a military or civilian capacity in the defence of Australia.

St Mary's Cathedral Celebrates Australia Day!

People joining in the celebrations in the city on Australia Day will be very welcome at the beautiful and historic St. Mary's Cathedral. The Cathedral community and clergy are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of visitors on the day, as in past years.

Visitors will be able to join a history tour of the Cathedral and of its belltower, and explore the mysterious Cathedral Crypt with its stunning mosaic and terrazzo floor. (A special guided tour of the Crypt will be included in the entry ticket to the Historical Exhibition of the Early Sydney Church currently exhibited in the Crypt).

If all that sounds too energetic, visitors could just sit and listen to an organ recital while taking in the sights of colourful stained glass windows, carved sandstone, towering columns and arches.

To pray for God's blessing on the Australian people, there will be masses in the Cathedral at 9.00am and at 12.00 noon. Activities commence following the morning Mass.

  • Organ Recital. An organ recital will be performed by our Principal Organist, Peter Kneeshaw, at 11.00 am.
  • Cathedral Tours. 20 minute history tours of the Cathedral immediately following the 12noon Mass - every half hour and concluding at 4.00 pm. These tours will not include the Crypt.
  • Special Guided Tours of the Crypt. Tickets to the Historical Exhibition will include a special guided tour of the Crypt. Tours will commence from 9.30am, the last tour is at 3.30pm. (requires reasonably good state of health and sensible shoes).
  • Tours of the Bell Tower will be conducted by the St. Mary's Change Ringers at 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm.
  • A group of Hospitality Volunteers will be stationed on the doors and around the Cathedral with general information about tours, tour starting points, toilets, location of the Cathedral Store, etc.