Some buildings are merely beautiful. St Mary’s Cathedral is something more: a living inheritance, built by one generation, kept by another.
On 9 May, the archdiocese of Sydney is asking which generation you’ll be.
A fundraising gala dinner, In Lumine Fidei (“the Light of Faith”), to be held at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney, will be the star-studded centrepiece of a significant push to secure the cathedral’s future. Artists, public figures, and benefactors will gather for an evening to preserve the sacred heart of Catholic faith in Sydney.
David Armstrong, Director of the Development and Fundraising Office within the Archdiocese, speaks about the evening with a sense of quiet purpose and deep pride. “St Mary’s Cathedral really is in great need of restoration. The baton is being handed on to us. It is one of the great national treasures of our nation, so we want to bring people together to raise some funds for our mother church,” he said.
After nearly 200 years, the cathedral needs our attention, says Armstrong.
“After decades of weather and rising pollution, the cathedral’s sandstone exterior is visibly ageing, with stones that require repair or replacement before damage becomes irreversible,” he said. “Items like the beautiful amber windows have survived over 100 years but are now at high risk of breaking. It’s decaying, so we need to make sure that that glass is kept in good condition.”
With over one million visitors to the Cathedral every year, the night will also help with universal access improvements, including lift access to the crypt, to better serve the elderly, people with mobility challenges, the infirm, and families with prams, ensuring all can enter and move around with dignity and safety.
In response to the cathedral’s significant restoration needs, the Archdiocese is crafting a night worthy of the cause. Ben Fordham, the trusted voice of 2GB, will guide guests through the evening as master of ceremonies. Joining him are two internationally acclaimed performers — Diego Torre, the lead tenor at the Sydney Opera House and Silvia Colloca, a celebrated opera singer, television personality and international actress.
For Torre, this is far more than a concert.
“When we arrived in Australia, the cathedral was the first place that we arrived to pray,” the world-renowned tenor recalls. “We were really amazed by the Mass with Gregorian chant and the children’s choir. It was just so impressive.”
That moment of wonder has since grown into a deep and abiding bond. Today, both of Torre’s children attend St Mary’s Cathedral College and sing in the cathedral choir. His wife serves in the Jubilate Deo program, helping teach Gregorian chant in schools across Sydney.
Fresh from his acclaimed Australia Day performance before the Prime Minister and a national audience, Torre is turning his attention to the spiritual and architectural heart of Sydney.
“It’s our duty to preserve it,” he says with quiet conviction. “To keep dropping seeds for new generations – to feel this commitment of faith, of support, of unity. We need to keep giving this legacy.
“This gala is not just an evening of beautiful music. It’s an evening of faith and generosity, an opportunity for me to put my faith into action and to make our community bigger and stronger. I feel very blessed that I’m able to put my little grain of sand into this huge and beautiful project,” said Torre.
Torre’s message to anyone considering attending is simple and heartfelt: “This is not about beautiful music only. It’s an evening of faith and generosity and community. This concert is, for me, the chance to put my faith into action and I really hope that people can receive my intention and from there spread it out to more people.”
With his heart rooted in Sydney, his family woven into the life of the cathedral, and his extraordinary voice offered as a gift to the Church, Torre invites the faithful to join him for a night that promises beauty, prayer and a future secured for St Mary’s Cathedral.
Tables are limited – book now here.
