People joining in the celebrations in the city on Australia Day will be welcome to come and explore the beautiful and iconic St. Mary's Cathedral. The Cathedral community and clergy are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of visitors with a host of special activities including:
All Tours and Recitals are Free. Entry to Vestments Exhibition is $10 adults/children free. Everyone welcome.
Please contact the Events Manager for further information: (02) 9220 0414.
Download the Australia Day 2012 flyer (pdf).
The Blessing of the Outdoor Nativity Scene at St Mary's Cathedral will be held on the first Sunday of Advent on 27th November at the 10.30am Solemn Choral Mass.
The St Mary's Cathedral Choir will lead the congregation to the magnificent twelve piece, life size Nativity Scene in Cathedral Square.
We invite you and your family to attend this wonderful occasion - to reflect and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God's Son.
A South-East Asian Fun Food Festival will be presented by Embrace, the Youth Group of St Mary's in the Cathedral grounds on Sunday 27th November following the Blessing of the Nativity. All welcome.
As a part of the Christmas festivities at St Mary's, 90 inspired artwork pieces showcasing the breadth of skills and creative talent of young Catholic students from Years 5 and 6 will be presented in an exhibition - The Christmas Story. One artwork will win the Cardinal's trophy.
It opens to the public Mondays to Fridays from 28th November through to December in the Crypt of St Mary's from 10am to 4pm. (The Crypt may at times be closed for events please call for availability).
For many years now, a colourful and very popular Christmas Carols Service and Readings has been held at St. Mary's Cathedral.
This well-loved event will be held on Friday, 16th December at 7.30pm. It will be presided over by Cardinal Pell and attended by many Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
The St. Mary's Cathedral Choir will be performing at this magnificent event. The night will consist of a rich selection of traditional carols and liturgical Christmas music.
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 each year. Certificates are also presented for special anniversaries.
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.
Embrace, the Youth Group at St Mary's, assist in this annual event.
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.