History Of Catholic Church By Iiam Sep 2, 1788 First Private Mass In Australia Sep 18, 1792 Governer Phillip petitioned for chaplin Aug 24, 1803 First Public Mass In Australia Oct 24, 1803 First Public Mass In Australia 1820 New Chaplains Appointed Apr 13, 1822 First Australian Catholic School 1828 Over 10 000 Catholics Jul 25, 1851 55 000 Catholics Mar 29, 1866 Sisters of St Joseph are founded Feb 9, 1867 Mary Mackillop is first sister of St Joseph May 12, 1871 Excommunication Aug 8, 1909 Mary Mackillop Passes Away 1910 Over 5000 Sisters Of St Joseph 1930 Australian Priests Outnumber Irish Priests Dec 22, 1942 First Catholic Weekly Sep 27, 1970 Pope Paul VI visits Australia Oct 24, 1986 Pope John Paul II visits Australia Aug 19, 2000 St Mary's Cathedral Completed Mar 2, 2005 Pope John Paul II Passes Away Jul 15, 2008 World Youth Day In Sydney