For 170 years, St Mary’s Cathedral has stood at the heart of Sydney’s Catholic community, witness to generations of faith, grief, and joy. Now it needs that community to stand with it.
A high-profile gala dinner, In Lumine Fidei, on 9 May, to be held at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney, has been announced as the centrepiece of a major fundraising push to aid the cathedral, bringing together leading artists, public figures and benefactors for an evening that organisers say is about taking responsibility for a sacred trust.
“The baton is being handed on to us. It is really one of the great treasures of our nation. So we want to bring people together to raise some funds for the cathedral. It’s in great need of restoration,” said one of the organisers, David Armstrong, Director of the Development and Fundraising Office within the Archdiocese of Sydney.
After nearly 200 years as the sacred heart of the city, the cathedral is in desperate need of attention. Decades of weather and rising pollution have left the sandstone exterior visibly ageing, with stones requiring repair or replacement before damage becomes irreversible.
“The beautiful amber windows have survived over 100 years, but it’s at high risk of breaking. It’s decaying, so we need to make sure that glass is kept in good condition,” he said.
The gala night will also assist with upgrades to better serve the elderly, people with mobility challenges and families with prams, and improving access to the crypt, ensuring all can enter and move around with dignity and safety.
The archdiocese is crafting a night to remember, with the evening expertly guided by 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham as master of ceremonies and internationally-acclaimed performers including Diego Torre, lead tenor at the Sydney Opera House who sang before a national television audience on the Australia Day stage and Silvia Colloca, celebrated opera singer, television personality and international actress.
Commonwealth Bank (CommBank) has signed on as platinum sponsor, a public endorsement that reflects recognition of the cathedral’s place not just in Catholic life, but in the story of the city itself.
“St Mary’s Cathedral has welcomed generations of Australians through its doors, regardless of faith or background. Supporting projects that protect and preserve sites like this isn’t just about maintaining a building, it’s about honouring the communities who share this space,” said Chris Williams, Executive General Manager, Major Client Group, CommBank.
“As one of Australia’s largest organisations, we have a responsibility to help safeguard the cultural and historical places that matter to the people we serve.”
Williams points to the unique power of places like St Mary’s to anchor community life across generations.
“Places like St Mary’s have a unique ability to draw people together in moments of celebration, reflection and unity. They stand as places where communities gather to mark milestones, to support one another through difficult times or to pause in the middle of busy lives. St Mary’s has been a backdrop to some of Australia’s most meaningful national and community moments,” Williams said.
The spirit of the evening is one that resonates deeply with attendees like Karen Hope, a senior business leader and devout Catholic who has purchased a whole table for her family. For Karen, the decision to attend was about more than a night out.
“I wanted to share this evening with my family, because faith is very important to us. It’s something that we practise, and occasions like this are a beautiful way for us to celebrate that. Faith is not just something we inherit, it’s something we have to pass on as well.”
Karen’s family’s bonds with the cathedral were deepened after a special occasion celebrating her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary, an event that left a lasting impression.
“As a whole family, we attended and the Cathedral dean was so wonderful. He made my parents and my family feel so special. And that’s something that my mum really, really treasures.”
For Karen, the Gala Dinner carries a significance that goes beyond the occasion itself.
“For me, it’s a celebration of our faith and our community, and a chance to ensure that the heart of Catholic life in Sydney and Australia continues to shine for generations to come.”
