News of Blessed Mary MacKillop's Canonisation to take place in Rome later this year is a milestone in our nation's history. As one of our great pioneering historic figures, Mary's Canonisation Ceremony will be an uplifting and celebratory occasion, one in which the Catholic Church wishes to involve all Australians.

Mary's appeal is wide-ranging, not only to Catholics, but to the nation as a whole – borne of her legacy in establishing social welfare and health care initiatives spanning education, hospitals, support for the oppressed and the destitute, and for those both young and old. Mary epitomises the strength of our forebears which made Australia the nation it is today.

Mary's Canonisation is an international event with the spotlight shining on Australia once again. Many thousands are planning to travel to Rome to participate where the event will also be televised and web-streamed live, with the coverage likely to attract millions of people from around the globe.

You are very welcome to attend the events planned for St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. For further enquiries, please contact us at marymackillop@sydneycatholic.org.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
For our planning purposes, we ask that you complete an online Register your Interest form by clicking on the Register button at the top of the page. There is absolutely no obligation in registering - we only seek to obtain an indication of those people planning to attend the events at St Mary's Cathedral so that we may be able to cater accordingly.

MARY MACKILLOP PLACE, NORTH SYDNEY
For details relating to events at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, the place of Mary's tomb, please visit www.marymackillop.org.au

You may wish to visit Mary's shrine in North Sydney prior to attending the Feast Day Mass at St Mary's Cathedral. It is envisaged shuttle buses will run between Mary MacKillop Place and St Mary's Cathedral from 3.00pm to 8.00pm.

EVENTS AT ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL - 17 October 2010

FESTIVAL OF FAITH - 12.00-5.00pm

The Festival of Faith hosted by the Knights of the Southern Cross is an annual Festival providing an opportunity for the general public to join the Catholic Community and experience the multicultural and universality of Catholic organisations showcasing their mission and activities.

The Festival also showcases catechesis, along with cultural and artistic events - a whole host of activities for a family day out in honour of the Knights' National Patroness, Mary Help of Christians.

The Festival will run from the 12.00 to 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome.

For more information about the Festival, please contact Greg Briscoe-Hough at festival@ksc.asn.au.

FEAST DAY MASS - 5.00-6.30pm

For this year alone, Mary's Feast Day, presided over by Bishop Julian Porteous will be celebrated on 17 October from 5.00 - 6.30pm. This very special commemorative Feast Day Mass will be streamed live on the web and televised to the nation. It will also be screened to the Forecourt of St Mary's Cathedral.

CANONISATION CEREMONY - 6.30-9.30pm

What to expect during the Ceremony:

At the conclusion of the Feast Day Mass, those present will be invited to take part in the screening of the Canonisation Ceremony as a community. A sausage sizzle will commence from 6.30pm and family and friends are most welcome to share this unique experience together.

The event will take place on a Sunday evening where it is expected the weather will be a warm spring evening with average temperature of 20 degrees in daylight saving time. The coverage of the events will also be televised on all channels and web-streamed globally.

There are three parts to the Canonisation ceremony:

» The reading of a brief biography of each Blessed - in this case there are 6 blesseds
» The preparation for the ceremony - some short readings or prayers written by the blessed
» The Rite of Canonisation - the Mass celebrated by the Holy Father

The live webcast of the Canonisation Ceremony will commence from 7.00pm in the forecourt of St Mary's Cathedral. There will be some seating provided, while others may wish to stand and mingle or bring their own picnic blanket.

People may wish to stay for part of the event or all of it - either way everyone is most welcome.

^ go to top