St Francis Xavier Cathedral Geraldton in Geraldton, Western Australia | Catholic Church

St Francis Xavier Cathedral Geraldton

Locality: Geraldton, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9921 3221

Address: Cathedral Avenue 6530 Geraldton, WA, Australia

Website: http://monsignorhawes.com

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24.01.2022 The carillon feature of the Geraldton Bells will be out of action until further notice due to the failure of the electro-magnetic clapper of the Noongall Morris...sey Family Bell. A replacement part is currently being sourced. In the meantime, the hours will continue to sound and the three swinging bells will herald the commencement of Mass on Saturday evening 5.55pm, Sunday morning 9.25am and Sunday evening 5.55pm. Apologies for any inconvenience for what has become a feature of the Geraldton soundscape. The evangelizing value of the Geraldton Bells was brought to my attention recently when I was told a person who was on their daily walk heard the bells and decided to go to Mass! The Geraldton Bells are an example of "evangelizing culture" as St Pope John Paul was so find to remind us to do. PHOTO: The Mayor Van Styne Bell being tuned at the John Taylor Bell Foundary, Loughborough, England in 2019.

24.01.2022 Some of our Cathedral Tour Guides enjoying morning tea aboard Abrolhos Adventures MV2000 this morning.

24.01.2022 Did you know you can have The Geraldton Bells ring just for you? What a great gift idea? To see the Bell Programme for June/July check the Geraldton Bells Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/The-Geraldton-Bells-101136204969699/?ref=br_rs

24.01.2022 Thanks to the lady who suggested our iconic Cathedral should be added to the ABC Perths unofficial ABC of WA.

24.01.2022 If youre thinking of wandering out yonder, heres some inspiration. #monsignorhawes #hawesheritage #wanderoutyonder

24.01.2022 Fr Robert was up early this morning to capture this great photo of the beautiful sky at sunrise behind the Cathedral.

23.01.2022 The Cathedral Tour Guides are always happy to explain the story behind Bishop Kellys burial place being exposed under glass as part of the Cathedral restoration and enhancement works. Bishop William Kelly was Geraldtons first bishop and was responsible for inviting the priest/architect John Hawes to this remote and sparsely populated part of the world to administer to the people and build a cathedral. Unfortunately Kelly died prematurely not long after the completion of the first section of the cathedral. Tours are conducted Sunday, Monday and Wednesday at 2:30 and Friday at 4:00. Tickets ($5) are available at the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum adjacent to the Cathedral.

23.01.2022 St Francis Xavier Cathedral has its own medieval/Chartre style labyrinth in the forecourt which is available to members of the public who would like to use it as a meditative/calming/exercising tool. Perfect for Covid-19 times. Visit the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum adjacent to the Cathedral for your Labyrinth Certificate on completion. Click here for an interesting read on the history and use of labyrinths. https://www.smh.com.au//labyrinths-offer-a-new-path-to-hea

23.01.2022 Calling all our French Geraldtonians, visitors and francophiles. The Geraldton Bells will be ringing out for Quatorze Juillet today.

21.01.2022 If you missed out on the Sundowner and Organ Recital incorporating 'The Geraldton Bells' in the Cathedral last week, make sure you're on the list for the next event. All Monsignor Hawes Heritage Inc members receive email notification of upcoming Events. Your ($25) membership assists with the conservation of Hawes' heritage in the Mid West. Click the link for more information or to join up. https://www.monsignorhawes.com/membership/

20.01.2022 The Cathedral and Heritage Centre Tour Guides enjoyed morning tea and a chat in the Lower Sacristy of the Cathedral after a training session last week. Theyre full of knowledge and passion for the story of Hawes and our iconic cathedral so make sure you take a tour and/or visit the Heritage Centre which is open daily from 10 until 4. Entry by donation. If youd like to join the team contact Gerry (0417 012997).

19.01.2022 It didnt take long for vandals to smash these priceless stained glass church windows, but it took months to fix them! Click through the photos to take a dive into the ancient and highly intricate art of stained glass window painting with Perth artist Vaughn Bisschops

18.01.2022 Monsignor Hawes Heritage Inc. (MHHI) is made up of people who are dedicated to the development, conservation and promotion of the Hawes story and heritage in t...he Mid-West and Gascoyne. If you are interested in the work, life and architecture of Monsignor John Hawes and wish to support the aims of the MHHI, you can join this group for only $25. Click on the link below. https://www.monsignorhawes.com/membership/ #monsignorhawes See more

18.01.2022 The Cathedral Tour Guides were happy to welcome the Sydney Memorial Guides to a tour of the Cathedral.

17.01.2022 This story will be featured on ABC News tonight.

16.01.2022 The original baptistry in the Cathedral was recently restored as part of the SFX Cathedral Precinct Project. In the 1960s the baptismal font had been moved from under the bell tower inside the entrance to the front of the Cathedral. It is now back in its original position. When it was moved, the baptistry was repainted and a lot of the decorative painting had been covered over. This has now been restored including the fresco of St John the Baptist which had been painted by John Hawes and the stars on the ceiling.

15.01.2022 If you like the idea of wearing an orange shirt and showing off some of Geraldton and the Mid-Wests leading tourist attractions, were looking for some new recruits to join our dedicated group of Cathedral Tour Guides and Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum Volunteers. Click on the link below to register your interest or phone Gerry (0417912997) - Tour Guiding or Di (0407217312) - Museum. https://www.monsignorhawes.com/volunteers/

14.01.2022 Have you ever visited the crypt beneath St Francis Xavier Cathedral? Its a highlight of the tours conducted 4 times a week at the Cathedral on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday at 2:30 and Friday at 4:00. Tickets ($5) available at the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre adjacent to the Cathedral. (Photos by Deb Mitchell)

13.01.2022 Who can remember the Blessing of the Fleet parades through the streets of Geraldton to the Fishermans Wharf - children dressed in their full regalia of the Children of Mary or Holy Angels? Fr Cross is trying to resurrect the event. This is one of the statues that was used for the event.

13.01.2022 A great start to the festive season.

13.01.2022 Thanks to Steven Scourfield, Travel Editor of The West Australian, for a special mention in Saturdays West of St Francis Xavier Cathedral and the Heritage Centre Museum after leaving us out of a previous article on things to see in Geraldton. If youre interested in tours, click on the link below for more information. https://www.monsignorhawes.com/tours/

12.01.2022 What a fantastic photo of the Cathedral.

10.01.2022 For hundreds of years, pilgrims visiting The Vatican in Rome have queued to visit the statue of St Peter in St Peters Basilica. So many people have rubbed the foot of St Peter as an act of adulation and faith that his toes have been worn away. When the priest/architect John Hawes produced a scaled-down version of the statue for St Francis Xavier Cathedral, he covered the foot in bronze to protect it from the same fate. You wont need to queue to rub St Peters foot in Geraldton but the statue is worthy of a visit to see the fine example of arts and crafts workmanship that Hawes is so well known for.

10.01.2022 ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL GERALDTON MASSES ARE CANCELLED ONCE AGAIN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO RESIDUAL DUST COVERING EVERY SURFACE AFTER TODAYS DUST STORM.... The clean of the Cathedral is expected to take DAYS to organise and requires professional cleaners whose availability will be determined on Monday 25 May. An announcement to reopen the Cathedral for weekday Masses will be given after consulting the cleaners. Please share this post so that regular Mass goers are informed.

09.01.2022 We recently had a visit from the US Consul General David Gainer accompanied by the member for Geraldton Ian Blayney MLA. They were delighted to be welcomed with the Star-Spangled Banner being played on The Geraldton Bells.

08.01.2022 It was great to see St Francis Xavier Cathedral described as Geros Jewel and compared with the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence Italy in The West this morning by Tina Spadaccini of Albany. While the Italian building is grand, the Geraldton Cathedral has many of the same features in a simple but attractive form.

07.01.2022 One of the features of St Francis Xavier Cathedral which was added as part of the restoration and enhancement project was a new Baptismal Font and Immersion Pool. The mosaic design in the pool was created by Dawn Meader in her studio in Fremantle and then brought to Geraldton to be meticulously placed into the already constructed recess. The mosaic design is symbolic in its patterning going from darkness (death) to light (life). Adults wishing to become members of the Catholic church are baptised in the Immersion Pool, usually as part of the Easter ceremonies. https://thewest.com.au//see-the-showpiece-at-geraldtons-9m

05.01.2022 Happy Mothers Day. The Geraldton Bells will be ringing especially for the Mums today at 12:30 and 4:00.

05.01.2022 The names of 67 fallen soldiers from WWI are listed on the Honour Boards in the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows in the crypt of St Francis Xavier Cathedral. On the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI, a Roll Call of their names accompanied the lighting of a candle to commemorate their memory. To see the names listed go to https://www.monsignorhawes.com//List-of-Fallen-Soldiers-Ab

05.01.2022 This is a beautiful photo of the cathedral by Amanda Richards Photography showcasing 4 of the newly installed features - The Geraldton Bells, the clock, the lights and the labyrinth. #monsignorhawes #artsandcraftsmovement #labyrinthaustralia #visitgeraldton #amandarichardsphotography

04.01.2022 To see the latest news on the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Story - Like our Page (Click below). Our latest post is yesterdays interview on Maccas Australia All Over with Steve Marshall, author of Stone Upon Stone.

04.01.2022 Wow. Thanks Liz.

02.01.2022 St Patricks College Old Boys enjoyed The Geraldton Bells performance as part of their reunion in Geraldton today.

02.01.2022 Great to see the students from St Francis Xavier Primary School learning about Monsignor Hawes and our wonderful cathedral. Thanks Mr Place for your great passion and dedication to the Cathedral and the story of Hawes.

01.01.2022 At 7:30 this evening (15th March) The Geraldton Bells will ring the national anthem of Paraquay. This will be followed by the usual evening programme of Ode to Joy Jesus Christ is Risen Today Hallelujah (Cohen)

01.01.2022 The dustings been done and the restrictions eased so the Cathedral is now ready for normal Masses starting this Saturday evening (6th June). You will need to register your contact details on attendance and sit in designated places, but it will be great to have everyone back at Mass.

01.01.2022 To see more of the amazing story of the life and works of Monsignor John Hawes - Like our Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Page

01.01.2022 More of Hawes Arts and Crafts #hawesheritage #artsandcraftsmovement

01.01.2022 Our beautiful Cathedral is just one of the many attractions that awaits visitors to Geraldton. Hope to see you soon.

01.01.2022 Acanthus leaves are one of the most common plant forms used for decorative features in architecture. Hawes used them extensively in St Francis Xavier Cathedral, but in keeping with the arts and crafts movement of which he was an avid follower, they were created by Hawes himself using simple materials and techniques. To discover more of the hidden secrets of St Francis Xavier Cathedral, take a guided tour. Click on this link to find out how and when. https://www.monsignorhawes.com/tours/ #hawesheritage #artsandcraftsmovement