Catherine Fitzpatrick

Catherine Fitzpatrick (1785–1861), née Milling, was the founder and first conductor of St. Mary's Cathedral Choir, in Sydney, Australia.

Early life and marriage Catherine Milling was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1785, the daughter of John and Catherine Milling. She married Barnaby (Barney) Fitzpatrick, in Dublin in 1806. He was later convicted of embezzling and sentenced to life, and sent to a penal colony in Australia to serve his sentence. Catherine Fitzpatrick voluntarily joined him in emigrating to Australia. The family of four sailed together on the ship Providence, arriving in New South Wales on 2 July 1811. In anticipation of the day when priests would be allowed to lead services, Catherine Fitzpatrick began training a group of men and women to sing as a choir for vespers and masses.

In May 1820, two Roman Catholic priests, Father Philip Conolly and Father John Joseph Therry, arrived in New South Wales with permission to minister to the Catholic community. In 1821, funds were raised to establish a Roman Catholic church in Sydney. Governor Macquarie laid the cornerstone of St. Mary's Cathedral on 29 October 1821.

Death Fitzpatrick died in Sydney on 31 July 1861.