Cathedral bathed in light

The Catholic Weekly St Mary’s Cathedral will be illuminated against Sydney, Australia's’s night sky until December 24 as part of the second annual Lights of Christmas display. The Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell, launched the display on December 8, with Fr Paul Hilder, dean of the cathedral, and Attorney-General Greg Smith. The 12-minute show projected onto the cathedral’s western façade is based on the theme of peace and will be accompanied by various choirs in the lead-up to Christmas. It was designed by Anthony Bastic, creative director of AGB events, who has received glowing feedback from audiences. “I always go down and check it out every night just to see what the reaction is, and some of the volunteers were saying ‘It’s like a hush descends on the Cathedral Square when it starts’,” he said. “And people look on in awe and then they are more affectionate with each other afterwards.” Photo: Courtesy Catholic Communications