History of the Catholic Church in Australia

By JamesMarassa

  • First Private Mass on Australian Territory

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

  • Chaplain Wanted!

    Catholic settlers in Parramatta petition Governor Phillip for a chaplin

  • First Public Mass in Australia

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

  • First Australian Catholic School

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

  • Good Progress Being Made!

    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

  • Sisters of St Joesph

    Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods found the Sisters of St. Joseph.

  • Mary Mackillop is the First Sister of St Joseph

    Mary MacKillop becomes the first Sister and Mother Superior of the Sisters of St Joseph

  • Excommunication

    Mother Mary MacKillop excommunicated by Laurence Sheil, Bishop of Adelaide who alleges she incites her sisters to disobedience and defiance

  • R.I.P Mary Mackillop

    Death of Mother Mary MacKillop

  • Catholic Weekly

    Catholic Weekly prints its first issue

  • Pope in Australia

    Pope Paul VI makes the first-ever Papal visit to Australia

  • Pope John Paul II visits Australia.

    Pope John Paul II visits Australia.

  • St Mary's Cathedral Completed

    The construction of St Mary's Cathedral is announced as officially completed

  • R.I.P Pope John Paul II

    Death of much loved, Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is elected Pope Benedict XVI

  • WYD!

    Sydny hosts World Youth Day 2008