A celebration to mark the bicentenary of Catholic Education in Australia was held on Monday, 24 May, with students from 45 Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong—from the Macarthur, Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands—gathering as one community of faith.
St John Vianney Co-Cathedral in Fairy Meadow played host to Monday's Mass, with Bishop Brian Mascord presiding. Representatives from Catholic Church agencies, religious orders, former directors, and Catholic school principals and staff also gathered to celebrate the monumental occasion. This National Mass was being celebrated simultaneously across Australia on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. 
Congratulations to Mr Gilmore for being selected to play the music at this Mass.

“We gather to remember and honour our beginnings, acknowledge with pride the journey, be grateful for today and look forward with faith, courage and hope to the future" — Jo Kenny, CEDoW Head of Service.

The Mass began with an entrance procession of schools in order of their foundation year, acknowledging the leadership, commitment and exceptional contribution made by both lay and religious educators to Catholic education in Australia over the past 200 years.