Short History of the Catholic Church in Australia By lucasdicicco May 15, 1803 First public mass celebrated by Fr. Dixon in Sydney Jul 1, 1820 First official priests arrive in Australia (Fr. Terry & Fr. Conolly) Jul 1, 1835 John Bede Polding appointed as Australia’s first bishop Jul 1, 1865 St Mary’s Cathedral destroyed by fire Jul 24, 1866 Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods found Sisters of St Joseph Aug 8, 1909 Death of Blessed Mary Mackillop Feb 1, 1911 St Mary's Cathedral College now under management of the Christian Brothers Jul 1, 1946 Archbishop gilroy made first Australian born Cardinal Jan 1, 2000 Year of Jubilee celebrates 20th Century of Christianity Oct 17, 2010 Mary Mackillop Canonised