Planning is well underway for celebrations to mark the centenary of the opening of Armidale’s St Mary and St Joseph Catholic Cathedral which was officially opened on October 6, 1912 by Archbishop Kelly of Sydney.
The current administrator of the Cathedral, Monsignor Ted Wilkes, has announced that the main celebrations will take place from October 19 to 22, 2012. They will include a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving, a Prayer Service for the deceased benefactors of the Cathedral and celebrations for the members of religious orders that have served the Diocese of Armidale.
Displays of memorabilia have been organised and an oral history of the association of many parishioners has been compiled. Other activities will include a garden party for parishioners and members of the wider community and a gala diocesan dinner.
Catholic Schools of the diocese will also be involved in programs and activities in which the students will learn of the history of the Cathedral and its importance as a centre of worship for Catholics of the region.
“The celebrations will not only celebrate the foresight and skills of Bishop Patrick Joseph O’Connor, the third bishop of Armidale, and the men who designed and built the Cathedral, but also to acknowledge its importance as an integral part of the community of Armidale,” Monsignor Wilkes said.
Previously these events were scheduled to take place in September, but the new bishop of Armidale, Bishop Michael Kennedy, has commitments in Rome at that time. He has expressed a wish to be actively involved in the celebrations.
Current and former parishioners, residents of the diocese and members of the wider community of Armidale are invited to participate in these events.
