The Year of Hope Pilgrimage was held on Sunday 28th September 2025 with over 80 pilgrims taking part.
The itinerary took in the Jubilee churches in the southern part of the Diocese of Geraldton: St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel (Mullewa), Mass Rock and Pioneer Cemetery.
The Pilgrimage began with the 9:30am Solemn Sung Mass in the Cathedral with music led by the Cathedral Choir and the Young Choristers. It then proceeded by bus to Mullewa. In Mullewa Fr Robert Cross led a Eucharistic procession through the Monsignor Hawes Heritage trail processing from the town centre of Mullewa to the church. At the church, the procession was greeted by the ringing of the church’s bells; then the procession and pilgrims entered the church where benediction was held.
The pilgrims had lunch in the grounds of the neighbouring Our Lady of Mt Carmel Primary School during which the Pilgrimage raffle was drawn by Fr Gerard Totanes.
The Pilgrimage then proceeded to Mass Rock and Pioneer Cemetery; returning to Geraldton late in the afternoon.
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- Fr Robert preparing for the Pilgrimage – the picture of St Francis Xavier, Patron of the Diocese of Geraldton
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- Setting off from the Cathedral after the Solemn Sung Mass
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- The procession assembling at the end of Mass in the Cathedral
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- Pilgrims (including choir) on the bus
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- Enjoying the scenery
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- And off we go – even Dominie came along!!
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- Eucharistic Procession at Mullewa
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- Fr Robert and Fr Gerard speak to the pilgrims
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- Fr Robert speaks about Hawes’ monstrance
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- The procession sets off
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- Procession making its way through Mullewa
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- Pilgrims process along the Heritage trail
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- Procession continues along the Heritage trail
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- The procession makes its way towards Hawes’ Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel at Mullewa
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- Benediction at the Church – view from the choir loft!
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- Fr Robert speaks to pilgrims about Servant of God John Hawes
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- Lunchtime!!
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- Well-deserved sandwiches for our Young Choristers
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- Relaxing at lunch
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- Pilgrims at lunch
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- Fr Gerard prepares to draw the raffle
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- It’s fun drawing the raffle !!
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- Concentrating and focussing…
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- The winning ticket !! Does Fr Savio have it? Or Fr Robert?
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- Tell us who won, Fr Gerard!!
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- He’s keeping us all in suspense…
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- A little more suspense…
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- Ah now he announces…
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- …and verifies the winning ticket
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- Yes, we have the winner !!
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- The lucky winners!!
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- Young Choristers with Fr Robert, Fr Gerard and Jacinta in front of Mullewa’s stunning Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel
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- The Young Choristers practicing their music on the bus
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- Dominie practiced his music, too!
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- A visit to Pioneer Cemetery
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- Fr Robert speaks to the pilgrims at Pioneer Cemetery
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- Young Choristers at Mass Rock
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- The pilgrimage group at Mass Rock
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- Yes, definitely beautiful scenery
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- Endless fields of wheat…makes you just want to jump for joy !!!
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- Back on the bus – almost home…
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- What a fun, spiritually uplifting experience !!
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- But never too tired for a smile !!
