ONE hundred years is a landmark achievement and one that deserves recognition and celebration.

At the end of this month the Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga will commemorate 100 years since it was formed on July 28, 1917.

The week of celebrations will begin with a centenary dinner on Saturday, July 29 in Wagga.

Guest speaker at the dinner will be Fr Justin Darlow, who is writing a book on the history of the diocese and will talk about some of its history.

The central event for the centenary will be a Solemn Pontifical Mass, to be held at St Michael’s Cathedral, Wagga Wagga on Sunday, July 30 at 10am.

Principal celebrant for the Mass will be Archbishop Christopher Prowse from Canberra & Goulburn, and Archbishop Francis Carroll, who was Bishop of Wagga from 1968-1983.

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Following Mass, community members are invited to St Michael’s Parish Centre for light refreshments.

There will also be a historical display from the diocesan archives and an Ark of the Covenant display by Bernard McAlister.

Centenary memorabilia will be available to purchase, including Eucalyptus Dwyeri (Dwyer’s Red Gum) saplings, grown by Fr Jim McGee, as well as centenary postcards and keyrings.

On Friday, August 4 there will be 25th anniversary celebrations for Vianney College, the seminary for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, including a historical Display in St Michael’s Parish Centre from 4pm to 6pm, followed by Mass at St Michael’s Cathedral from 6pm with principal celebrant Bishop Michael Kennedy.

The following day there will be an inter-seminary soccer competition.

For those wanting something a little different, try a virtual reality tour of the some of the facilities?

As part of centenary activities, the diocese commissioned a virtual reality tour of the heart of the diocese, St Michael's Cathedral in Wagga and the oldest church in the diocese, St Patrick's Church Albury.

Visit www.wagga.catholic.org.au/Events.aspx to take a tour.

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