South Korean delegation at the return of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney in preparation for World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027. Photo: Abbel Gaspi. St Mary’s Cathedral was brimming with joy and excitement as the World Youth Day (WYD) cross and icon returned to Sydney for […]
Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP announcing that the next ACYF will be held in Tandem with the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028. Photo: ACYF/Archdiocese of Melbourne. Addressing thousands at the conclusion of the ACYF25 commissioning Mass in Melbourne, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP announced that the next Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) will be held in Sydney in 2028. It will […]
Christmas at the Cathedral as seen from Hyde Park. Images by Giovanni Portelli Photography © 2024 This year’s Christmas at the Cathedral takes audiences deeper into the spirit of Christmas than ever before, expanding the footprint of the experience, illuminating new spaces and creating a true Christmas spectacle for families. Now in its fourth year partnering with the Archdiocese of […]
The two newly ordained priests, Fr Giovanni Julio Gonzalez and Fr Jorge Mairena Marquez. Photo: Alphonsus Fok. Two missionaries of the Neocatechumenal Way, Giovanni Julio Gonzalez and Jorge Mairena Marquez, were ordained as priests of the Archdiocese of Sydney, by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP on 5 December in St Mary’s Cathedral. Fr Julio Gonzalez comes from […]
ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 7 DECEMBER 2025 During the week before Christmas, as we celebrate with the Christmas at the Cathedral each night in Sydney, the Church sings a series of ancient Advent acclamations known as “The O antiphons.” At Vespers each night the Church prays to Christ to come, hailing Him with a different […]
ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 6 DECEMBER 2025 (MOST REV.) ANTHONY FISHER OP, CHIEF CHAPLAIN OF THE ORDER OF MALTA IN AUSTRALIA A recent McCrindle report offers a fascinating snapshot of trends in naming our bubs. For over a decade now, Oliver has reigned supreme for the Aussie boys, while Charlotte and Isla have been jostling […]
ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 5 DECEMBER 2025 Coffee: humanity’s love affair with it is remarkable. It’s estimated we consume over two and a quarter billion cups every day or 26,000 cups per second![1] After water, it’s the most consumed beverage on earth by a long shot. Coffee is, in fact, humanity’s principal addiction. Many of […]
About 400 parishioners from the St Catherine Labouré Gymea parish packed Doltone House in Sylvania Waters to listen to Moira Kelly AO in this year’s 4th annual Laboure Lecture, Photo: Supplied. Moira Kelly AO, arguably Australia’s greatest humanitarian with a list of awards longer than the arms of the many children she has saved, has stressed the […]
Fr Anthony Robbie hosting an Order of Malta dinner in Bondi. Photo: Supplied. Christmas is for some one of the most isolating times of the year, especially in a cost-of-living crisis where families may have to choose between buying gifts and treats for loved ones or buying necessities. Communities including the Order of Malta, St […]
2024 Christmas at the Cathedral with the Elachi family. Photo: Supplied. For Sydney families searching for a magical, affordable Christmas experience, ‘Christmas at the Cathedral’ offers the perfect night out. For Dany Elachi and his family of seven, a summer’s evening at the St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt has become not just a seasonal tradition but […]
ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 4 DECEMBER 2025 The slang name for diamonds is ‘rocks’ as when someone remarks on ‘the size of the rock’ on someone’s finger. It’s an ironic name, given that rocks are cheap and ordinary, and that, strictly speaking, diamonds are not rocks at all: rocks are composites of several minerals while […]
Student catechists with Bishop Daniel Meagher. Photo: Supplied. Some of the archdiocese’s dedicated special religious education (SRE) catechists have been recognised for their years of mission in the annual Archdiocesan Catechist Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Held on 16 November, the Mass honoured 48 SRE catechists who hit milestones in their service, with special recognition for those who had served 20, 25, 40, and 55 […]
Sisters of life visiting St Joachim’s in Lidcombe to help run the Advent retreat. Photo: Patrick J Lee. Women from across Sydney gathered in their hundreds to spend the day with the Sisters of Life at St Joachim’s in Lidcombe, on 29 November, for a rare opportunity to slow down and rediscover the true reason […]
Sydney pilgrims getting ready for Day 2 of ACYF in Melbourne. Photo: Supplied. As Sydney pilgrims prepared for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne, the Sydney Catholic Youth Team hoped it would help and encourage the youth in one particular area of concern: isolation. They shared that many young people feel like they don’t […]
