Bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia
Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.
To mark the occasion, Fr Rob Galea has written an anthem, “Faith in the Future”. The tune is everything we could want for a modern Catholic hymn. The melody is easy to pick up and the chorus is lyricless, making it easy for school-aged children to learn. Fr Galea is fittingly joined by a small choir of students from Shepparton who provide backing for Fr Galea’s vocals.
The bicentennial celebration should have taken place in 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced a move into 2021. The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry. Over the next two centuries, the Catholic Church would become one of the largest providers of schooling in Australia.
The celebration was officially started on 22 February and will last throughout the school year. “Faith in the Future” will be released at every Catholic school in Australia in 2021. A National Mass will also be celebrated in every state, territory and diocese on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on Monday, 24 May 2021.
Faith in the Future, Fr Rob Galea and students, Notre Dame College Shepparton
Commissioned for the 200th Anniversary for Catholic Education in Australia. Filmed at Notre Dame College in Shepparton Victoria.
Further information on Australia’s Catholic Education bicentennial celebration