feb 25, 1818 - 1817-1818: For a brief period (1817-1818) the flamboyant, freelance priest, Fr Jeremiah O’Brien ministered to Catholics. When he was deported on the orders of Governor Macquarie he left the Blessed Sacrament in the home of a leading Catholic. With the lack of a priest to celebrate Mass, the consecrated host became the centre of Catholic worship in Sydney. (Timeline)