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The first Catholics to reside in Australia arrived with the first fleet in 1788. In the first fleet, most of the convicts were Irish who were catholic. There was believed to be 750 - 780 catholic convicts to accompany the first fleet. 1788 was the start of history of Catholicism in Australia. -
The first Christmas celebration in Australia dates back to late 1788, it was introduced by the Irish Catholics who were convicts. The Irish convicts introduced Catholicism in Australia as well as the celebrations. The first Christmas was celebrated in December 1788, almost one full year after their arrival at Sydney Cove.
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The first priest who came to Australia were also convicts, they arrived to Australia in 1798. The first priest in Australia are James Harold, James Dixon and Peter O'Neil, as they were involved in the Irish revolution of 1798. -
The beginning of Catholicism was largely based on Irish immigrants. The first mass recorded in Australian history was in may 1803, when 2 priest were sent to the administer to the needs of the Irish community. The first priest who came to Australia were also convicts, they arrived to Australia in 1798. The first mass was recorded in may 1803, it was celebrated in 1803 in Sydney by Fr James Dixon. -
Parramatta Marist is the first catholic school established in Australia, it was founded by an Irish catholic priest Fr. John Therry. Parramatta Marist was built in 1820 in October in Sydeny, the school was under the direction of Mr George Morley when it was built. -
The Saint Marys Cathedral was built on land given to the church in 1820 by Governor Macquarie. The church complex had been developed between 1822 and 1828, then it was finally open to the public in 1838 when there was a rise of Catholics around the area. The Saint Marys Cathedral is in NSW Australia, it is also the largest and oldest Cathedral building in Australia. -
John Bede Polding came to Australia and arrived in Sydney in 1835, he came from Liverpool England where he was born and raised there. In 1811 Polding joined the Benedictine order and was then ordained priest in 1819. In 1834 John Bede Polding became the first Roman catholic bishop of Australia, where eight years later he became the first archbishop of Sydney. -
The first Archbishop of Melbourne is a Irish man James Alipius Goold. Goold was born in Crock, Ireland on the 4th of November 1812 into a wealthy commercial family. Goold began work as an a assistant to Archdeacon John McEncroe and a few months later was appointed to Campbelltown. In his five years in Campbelltown in New South Whales he built several schools and churches such as St Johns. On the 10th of May 1874, while still in Rome, Goold was made Archbishop of Melbourne. -
The sister of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart are a religious order of women, founded in South Australia 1866. In 1867 Mary Mackillop became the first nun and mother superior of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The order of nuns was created by Fr Woods and Mary Mackillop. By the end of 1867, ten others had joined the order. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart services for the poor, they all serve to be humble. -
John Bede Polding died on the 3rd of march 1788, died at Sacred Heart Presbytery, Darlinghurst, in Sydney. Polding was then burried in Petersham cemetery, and his remains were then transferred to St Mary's Cathedral on 17 March 1901.