Conserving cultural heritage is far more than conserving just buildings and objects. It is also about conserving the arts and crafts once performed in them.  To this end, Monsignor Hawes Heritage Events organizes a number of events every year that celebrates the arts in its different forms.

In addition, these events generate valuable funds for the conservation of Hawes’ buildings. 

One such recent event was the “Encountering Beauty” concert held in St Francis Xavier Cathedral on the evening of 1st April 2025.  The concert featured return French artists Johanne Vexo (Organist of the Cavaillé-Coll great organ of the Cathedral in Nancy, Professor of Organ at the Conservatory and at the Superior Music Academy in Strasbourg and former Choir Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris) and tenor Damien Riviere.  The amazing acoustics of St Francis Xavier Cathedral, said by some musicians to be among the best acoustic spaces in Australia, enhanced the enjoyment for both the performers and concert goers.

Given that this recital was held during Lent and in the lead-up to Easter, the programme featured works of composers of the 19th – 20th centuries from the French symphonic tradition and highlighting this Lenten theme. They were interspersed with chant which is the authentic way some of these pieces were performed. Also featured were works of Johann Sebastian Bach.