Community Outreach

By maintaining an ‘open doors’ policy the Cathedral is hopefully a place where the presence and love of God can be experienced, both through providing a ‘sacred space’ and by offering more practical help when needed.

Cathedral staff, including our Vergers and Guides, provide food and personal essentials to those in need, and can also give information regarding support services available in the City. Items are donated by the Cathedral congregation, and the Cathedral sets aside funds to keep replenishing supplies.

Goods such as toiletries are donated to the Women's Refuge, food parcels to Anglicare, and care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Cathedral makes an annual donation to different charitable organisations or causes throughout the year.  For example, the Cathedral has provided funds for the construction of a basketball court in East Timor, sponsored underprivileged children through Police & Community Youth Centre, supported CARAD – the Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees, help buy equipment for Newton Theological College in Papua New Guinea, supported men's health by donating to the Movember Foundation, purchased wheelchairs for Wheelchairs for Kids and supported various ABM projects.

St George's Cathedral is open every day of the year from 7.30am until 5.30pm. Hundreds of candles are lit each week at the votive candle stands, where there is often a notice asking for prayers in response to local, national or international needs. For much of the day during the week there is a Cathedral Guide on duty, who greets visitors and can direct them to further help if required.

One of the Cathedral's team of Associate Priests is usually available in the Cathedral to talk and pray with people, and to offer pastoral support. If there is no Associate Priest on duty, then Guides or Vergers can usually call a priest from the Cathedral Office. Special prayers for healing are offered on the first Tuesday of each month at the 1.15pm Holy Eucharist.