20 Nov 2025
PAPAL AWARDS

PAPAL AWARDS

ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL HOUSE, SYDNEY, 20 NOVEMBER 2025 Of all the Knights of the Round Table in the great Arthurian legends, Lancelot du Lac is probably the most famous. His courage, courtesy and prowess in battle made him the very model of chivalry. He has captured the modern imagination, his story being retold in many […]

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19 Nov 2025
HOMILY FOR MASS OF ORDINATION TO THE PERMANENT DIACONATE OF ROBERT TONKLI AND PHILIP PHAM

HOMILY FOR MASS OF ORDINATION TO THE PERMANENT DIACONATE OF ROBERT TONKLI AND PHILIP PHAM

ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 19 NOVEMBER 2025 Ours is a service economy. Over the last 25 years, services have grown so much that they now account for about 80% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product and 90% of employment.[1] Once a nation of farmers, miners and manufacturers, we are now overwhelmingly engaged in fields such as […]

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18 Nov 2025
Help support young voices and fund historic cathedral choir this Christmas

Help support young voices and fund historic cathedral choir this Christmas

Twelve-year-old Eimear, second from left. Photo: Supplied. Twelve-year-old Eimear is preparing to make history at this year’s Carols at the Cathedral on 16 December, when she takes her place among the boys in the St Mary’s Cathedral choir, in the iconic event which will see girls and boys singing together for the first time in […]

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17 Nov 2025
A day of celebration for Sydney’s vulnerable and marginalised

A day of celebration for Sydney’s vulnerable and marginalised

The founder of the St Merkorious Charity, Paula Nicolas, received the Archbishop of Sydney’s Dempsey Medal during the celebration, recognising her years of service to the disadvantaged. Photo: Alphonsus Fok. On 14 November, hundreds of Sydney’s homeless celebrated an early Christmas in St Mary’s Cathedral Forecourt with food and music at the seventh annual Street Feast.  The St Merkorious Charity provided a BBQ for the cheery celebration. Its founder […]

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17 Nov 2025
Lights! Music! Magic! Sydney Catholic Schools to bring musical joy to Christmas at the Cathedral

Lights! Music! Magic! Sydney Catholic Schools to bring musical joy to Christmas at the Cathedral

Crowds enjoy the opening night of the Lights of Christmas at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral. PHOTO: Giovanni Portelli This Christmas will not only see St Mary’s Cathedral transformed by a breathtaking light spectacular, but Sydney’s iconic mother church will also resonate with the uplifting sounds of choirs, bands, and performers during daily concerts from 17-25 December 25 in an invitation to experience joy and faith through […]

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16 Nov 2025
HOMILY FOR SOLEMN MASS FOR THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)

HOMILY FOR SOLEMN MASS FOR THE 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR C)

ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, SYDNEY, 16 NOVEMBER 2025 A flutter on the Melbourne Cup is all very well, but these days you can bet on rather more consequential things. You can get odds on whether China will invade Taiwan by Christmas,[1] or whether there will be a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine by Easter.[2] You can […]

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14 Nov 2025
University Catholics to host Eucharistic adoration at St Patrick’s Church Hill

University Catholics to host Eucharistic adoration at St Patrick’s Church Hill

For Catholics it’s a unique experience: Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP carries the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Sydney. Photo: Giovanni Portelli By Rob Snell, Evangelisation Officer University Chaplaincies Central to our Catholic faith is the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.   This is more than a proposition for assent; it is the embodied presence of […]

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14 Nov 2025
Advent women’s retreat invites renewal before the Christmas rush

Advent women’s retreat invites renewal before the Christmas rush

Sr Mary Grace SV shares her hopes for the Sydney tour of the Sisters of Life. Photo: Sisters of Life, Martin Jernberg Photography As Christmas fast approaches, Catholic women across Sydney are invited to pause and receive anew the promises of Advent at the upcoming ‘Sisters of Life Advent Retreat’, hosted by the Catholic Women’s Network on 29 […]

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13 Nov 2025
Two permanent deacons to be ordained in cathedral

Two permanent deacons to be ordained in cathedral

Soon to be permanent Deacon, Robert Tonkli as he was walking the Camino. Photo: Supplied. Two permanent deacons will be ordained by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP on 19 November. This will be the first ordination of permanent deacons in the Archdiocese since 2020.   The two deacons are Robert Tonkli and Philip Pham.  The Catholic Weekly […]

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12 Nov 2025
Christmas at the Cathedral to march to the beat of the Little Drummer Boy

Christmas at the Cathedral to march to the beat of the Little Drummer Boy

Christmas at the Cathedral will be on this year from 17 – 25 December. Images by Giovanni Portelli Photography © 2024 The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney invites one and all to experience Sydney’s most beloved Christmas celebration, Christmas at the Cathedral, as Sydney’s mother church transforms into the dazzling heart of holiday festivities once again.  […]

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06 Nov 2025
Catholics gather at the Alpha Conference to embrace ‘The Way of Hope’

Catholics gather at the Alpha Conference to embrace ‘The Way of Hope’

Over two inspiring days, the Alpha Catholic Conference ignited the faith of more than 200 Catholics from across Australia, providing a powerful celebration of formation, fellowship, and expert guidance.   Attendees were equipped and energised to deepen their faith and boldly transform their parishes and communities.  Themed “The Way of Hope,” the conference – held at the Liverpool Catholic Club on 31 October […]

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04 Nov 2025
Champion of perpetual adoration Fr Hugh Thomas dies aged 85

Champion of perpetual adoration Fr Hugh Thomas dies aged 85

Fr Hugh Thomas CSsR passed away age 85. Photo: Miracle Prayers Facebook page. Sydney Catholics are mourning the loss of four community stalwarts after the death of Fr Hugh Thomas CSsR due to cancer at the age of 85.   A Redemptorist missionary priest for 60 years, he dedicated his life to devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, setting […]

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03 Nov 2025
Carols at the Cathedral welcomes girl choristers for the first time in 200 years

Carols at the Cathedral welcomes girl choristers for the first time in 200 years

St Marys Cathedral choir. Giovanni Portelli Photography © 2022 Musical and spiritual history will be made this Christmas at the annual Carols at the Cathedral concert. The St Mary’s Cathedral choir is the oldest permanent musical group in Australia, and for the first time in its 200-year tradition, audiences will witness the inclusion of girl […]

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