A Year of Celebrations.....On Sunday, 17 May 1874, the still-incomplete Cathedral of St Stephen was solemnly blessed and dedicated.
In May 2023, the Archbishop launched a year of celebration for the 150th anniversary of the Opening and Blessing of the cathedral. A number of celebrations have been held throughout the year. |
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Our Year of Celebrations come to a close....
May 19th 10.30am Solemn Mass of Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday, 1874, was the first Sunday after the Opening and Blessing of the as-yet unfinished Cathedral of St Stephen. It is appropriate then that we culminated our festivities of thanksgiving on this Feast of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost Sunday.
These celebrations have provided the Church of Brisbane with an opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks for the commitment and generosity of generations before us, as well as recognising our responsibility as the current custodians of this splendid sacred space.
We celebrated more than a building; we celebrated what we celebrate here every day – the gift of the life-giving power of the Spirit of God who transforms us all into Living Stones and witnesses to the corner stone, Jesus Christ. May this same Spirit come upon us afresh, transforming all that is stone into life and grace.
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo celebrated the Mass, assisted by Deacon Chad, and concelebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge with a host of bishops and priests – retired and active – from around Australia. Mass was followed by a family day in the cathedral precinct.
Pentecost Sunday, 1874, was the first Sunday after the Opening and Blessing of the as-yet unfinished Cathedral of St Stephen. It is appropriate then that we culminated our festivities of thanksgiving on this Feast of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost Sunday.
These celebrations have provided the Church of Brisbane with an opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks for the commitment and generosity of generations before us, as well as recognising our responsibility as the current custodians of this splendid sacred space.
We celebrated more than a building; we celebrated what we celebrate here every day – the gift of the life-giving power of the Spirit of God who transforms us all into Living Stones and witnesses to the corner stone, Jesus Christ. May this same Spirit come upon us afresh, transforming all that is stone into life and grace.
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo celebrated the Mass, assisted by Deacon Chad, and concelebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge with a host of bishops and priests – retired and active – from around Australia. Mass was followed by a family day in the cathedral precinct.
click on the images to view captions and larger version
May 18 11.30am Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Priestly Ordination of Archbishop Mark Coleridge
A large crowd including family members, friends from his time in dioceses around Australia and in Rome, members of the cathedral parish and Archbishop Charles Balvo the Apostolic Nuncio gathered to recognise and celebrate Archbishop's Golden Jubilee.
A large crowd including family members, friends from his time in dioceses around Australia and in Rome, members of the cathedral parish and Archbishop Charles Balvo the Apostolic Nuncio gathered to recognise and celebrate Archbishop's Golden Jubilee.
click on the images to view captions and larger version
May 17th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Ecumenical service 6.00pm
The Cathedral of St Stephen, on the evening of our 150th anniversary, welcomed our sisters and brothers as fellow pilgrims to this sacred place acknowledging our bonds of communion in baptism and seeking to deepen our common witness. We Christians are travellers together and seek the Spirit of Unity who has calls us to be one in Christ.
The Cathedral of St Stephen, on the evening of our 150th anniversary, welcomed our sisters and brothers as fellow pilgrims to this sacred place acknowledging our bonds of communion in baptism and seeking to deepen our common witness. We Christians are travellers together and seek the Spirit of Unity who has calls us to be one in Christ.
click on the images to view captions and larger version
May 17th Mass in Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Opening and Blessing of The Cathedral of St Stephen.
The unfinished cathedral of St Stephen was officially opened on May 17th, 1874, after a building period that covered eleven years. Now 150 years later we welcome people and students from all over the archdiocese to the cathedral to celebrate this momentous occasion. The Message Stick returned to the St Stephens after its 2500km journey around the archdiocese. Archbishop Mark Coleridge was joined by Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio – the Popes’ ambassador to Australia and the Bishops of Australia.
The unfinished cathedral of St Stephen was officially opened on May 17th, 1874, after a building period that covered eleven years. Now 150 years later we welcome people and students from all over the archdiocese to the cathedral to celebrate this momentous occasion. The Message Stick returned to the St Stephens after its 2500km journey around the archdiocese. Archbishop Mark Coleridge was joined by Archbishop Charles Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio – the Popes’ ambassador to Australia and the Bishops of Australia.
click on the images to view captions and larger version
The Message Stick
The Message Stick, an ancient and culturally significant instrument of welcome and acceptance, is travelling around the Archdiocese of Brisbane. The Message Stick holds an invitation for parishioners across the Archdiocese to come together on Pentecost Sunday 2024, at the Cathedral to celebrate St Stephen's 150th Anniversary. Click on the images below to view larger version along with captions.
News & Events.....
10TH & 11TH MAY 2024 - THE QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORM MOZART'S MASS IN C MINOR
Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici brought the majesty of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra to the Cathedral, they were joined by the Brisbane Chamber Choir and the Cathedral Schola and delivered three breathtaking sold-out performances.
Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici brought the majesty of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra to the Cathedral, they were joined by the Brisbane Chamber Choir and the Cathedral Schola and delivered three breathtaking sold-out performances.
1ST MAY 2024 - THE ARCHBISHOP'S CURIA MASS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESAN STAFF
25TH APRIL 2024 - ANZAC DAY MASS
Civic and military dignities congregated at St Stephens Cathedral for the annual ANZAC Day Mass. (Click on the images to view larger version)
Civic and military dignities congregated at St Stephens Cathedral for the annual ANZAC Day Mass. (Click on the images to view larger version)
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MARCH 2024 - LENTEN CONCERT SERIES
Thursdays at noon during March in the lead up to Easter The 2024 Lenten Concerts concluded on March 21st. Chris Trikilis, Dominic Perissinotto, D’Arne Sleeman and Ireni Utley have provided an enthralling series of performances in St Stephens Cathedral. |
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2ND FEBRUARY AT 10AM - WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED PERSONS
Over 300 attended the 10am Mass on Friday February 2nd which was a celebration of the contribution of Religious Order to the life of the Cathedral. Mass was followed by refreshments in the Hanly Room where Archbishop Mark, Father Anthony Mellor and Mercy Sister’s Peta Goldburg spoke of the special role Religious Orders have had at St Stephens.
Over 300 attended the 10am Mass on Friday February 2nd which was a celebration of the contribution of Religious Order to the life of the Cathedral. Mass was followed by refreshments in the Hanly Room where Archbishop Mark, Father Anthony Mellor and Mercy Sister’s Peta Goldburg spoke of the special role Religious Orders have had at St Stephens.
11TH NOVEMBER AT 11AM - REMEMBRANCE DAY MASS FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Over three hundred parishioners attended Mass on Saturday November 11th. The Mass was to recall the faithful departed including the six Archbishops interred in the Cathedral. The prelude to Mass was a stirring rendition of the Last Post by trumpeter Cooper Williams. Requiem Op 48 by Gabriel Faure was the music throughout the Mass performed expertly by the St Stephens Choir and St Stephens Orchestra. At the conclusion of Mass the congregation processed out of the Cathedral to the Chapel to lay their poppies down.
Over three hundred parishioners attended Mass on Saturday November 11th. The Mass was to recall the faithful departed including the six Archbishops interred in the Cathedral. The prelude to Mass was a stirring rendition of the Last Post by trumpeter Cooper Williams. Requiem Op 48 by Gabriel Faure was the music throughout the Mass performed expertly by the St Stephens Choir and St Stephens Orchestra. At the conclusion of Mass the congregation processed out of the Cathedral to the Chapel to lay their poppies down.
10TH - 12TH NOVEMBER 2023 - OLIVE BRANCH, AN EXHIBITION BY OLGA BAKHTINA
The “Olive Branch” Exhibition, by renowned local liturgical artist Olga Bakhtina, was held in the Hanly Room from November 10th to 12th. The display focussed on Olga’s love of portraiture and the human figure with a preference for vibrant colours creating paintings that overflow with emotion.
The “Olive Branch” Exhibition, by renowned local liturgical artist Olga Bakhtina, was held in the Hanly Room from November 10th to 12th. The display focussed on Olga’s love of portraiture and the human figure with a preference for vibrant colours creating paintings that overflow with emotion.
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17TH OCTOBER -
STELLA MARIS MAROOCHYDORE PILGRIMAGE Fr Isaac Falzon accompanies 35 parishioners from Stella Maris Maroochydore on a tour of St Stephens Cathedral as part of the 150th Anniversary
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30TH SEPTEMBER 2023 - CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF WEDDINGS
St Stephens Cathedral was a happy place when a great many couples retuned to the place of their marriage on Saturday September 30th. Archbishop Mark presided over this joyous occasion.
Photographs courtesy of Purple Moon Photography
St Stephens Cathedral was a happy place when a great many couples retuned to the place of their marriage on Saturday September 30th. Archbishop Mark presided over this joyous occasion.
Photographs courtesy of Purple Moon Photography
Click on each image to enlarge and read caption
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8TH SEPTEMBER 2023 - CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS
1200 candles bathed St Stephens in a spectacular glow as string quartet Paradiso Strings performed two performances – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and the Best of Classical Composers. |
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3RD SEPTEMBER 2023 - CONCERT
St Stephens was enthralled when Warwick Adeney on violin was joined by Stephen Emmerson (piano), Eva-Marie Perissinotto (soprano) and our very own Dominic Perissinotto on the organ for a magnificent afternoon of music. |
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AUGUST 2023 - VISIT OF ITALIAN CHOIRS
On Sunday August 6th St Stephens, as part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations hosted two Italian Choirs – Giovani Voci Bassano and Gioventu in Cantata during their Australian and Indonesian tour. The two choirs combined to perform a spellbinding choral and musical afternoon |
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JULY 2023 - BRISBANE OPEN HOUSE
Brisbane Open House took place on the weekend of July 15 and 16 and St Stephens Cathedral was one of the notable places to visit. We welcomed hundreds of visitors and had a 30 minute organ recital each day. Click on the images to view full size version. |
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JUNE 2023 - CELEBRATION OF ORDINATIONS DURING THE PAST 150 YEARS
On 28th June 2023, dozens of priests processed into the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane for a Mass commemorating all ordinations and priests who served the Archdiocese of Brisbane over the last 150 years. The first person ordained at the Cathedral of St Stephen was Martin Mullally in 1877, and the newest are the three deacons ordained priests on the feast of Sts Peter and Paul this year. There were also priests and bishops from other dioceses in Queensland in attendance, recognising the role played by Brisbane priests across the province. The 28th June Mass was the first of many celebrations planned for this sesquicentenary year, and it gathered about 90 priests for the Mass and about the same number for a lunch that followed. At the lunch Bishop James Foley, Emeritus of Cairns, spoke in his inimitable way of the cathedral where he was ordained priest. We also said thanks and farewell to Bishop Ken Howell as he prepares for his new mission in Toowoomba. |
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150th Anniversary Merchandise
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The following items are currently available for purchase at Mercy House.
Guides and Welcomers Genevieve Cavanagh, Anne Straub and Michael McKillop
in action on the 150th Merchandise stall at St Stephen’s Tuesday Farmers Markets. |
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