First Private Mass on Australian Territory

First Private Mass on Australian Territory

Feb 9, 1788

La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory

Chaplain Wanted!

Jun 13, 1792

Catholic settlers in Parramatta petition Governor Phillip for a chaplin

First Public Mass in Australia

Dec 10, 1803

First official public Mass is held under strict Government supervision and is celebrated by prisoner priest, Fr Dixon

Priests allowed into Australia

Nov 10, 1820

Two Catholic priests are allowed to travel to Australia- Father John Terry and Father Philip Connolly

First Australian Catholic School

Jan 4, 1822

Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta

Good Progress Being Made!

May 7, 1851

The Sydney Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests who minister to 55,000 Catholics, most of whom are either Irish born or of Irish descent