The Knights and Dames prepare for Mass with Luca the Altar Server. 

In August 2022 a group of 28 Pilgrims travelled to Geraldton to explore the heritage of Hawes as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding areas.

The group was lead by Luanna and Freddy Low who recruited the participants from parishes in Perth as well as  the Catenian Association.

The Pilgrimage began with  lunch in the Piazza of the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre followed by tour of  the MHHC Museum and St Francis Xavier Cathedral, The Hermitage Geraldton ,and San Spirito Chapel at Utakarra .  The day concluded with Mass in the Cathedral.

The following day the group was transported  through the scenic Chapman Valley with its acres and acres of golden canola  to  Nanson, for Mass in Our Lady of Fatima Church and then onto Northampton.  The group was able to look inside the church which is about to be closed for repair works following Cyclone Seroja, and then had morning tea in Kings Park in Northampton.

They travelled to the Skywalk in the Kalbarri National Park for lunch and then through Kalbarri to Port Gregory where they were able to photograph the Pink Lake before returning to Geraldton.

On Saturday the group travelled to Mullewa, calling at St James Chapel of Ease in Kojarena on the way. Following morning tea in the park beside the Mullewa Town Hall the group prayed the rosary as they processed up to  Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church via the Hawes Heritage Walk.  Fr Robert Cross spoke about the unique  design of the Mullewa Church and the adjoining Priest House and an ex  local parishioner, Mr Peter Thomas, who was baptised by Monsignor Hawes, spoke about his family’s connections to Hawes and expressed his great admiration for him and his incredible body of work.  He expressed his belief that Hawes should be considered for sainthood.

After lunch in the grounds of Our Lady of Mt Carmel School, the pilgrims visited Mass Rock and then travelled to Pindar to see the wreath flower in bloom.  On the way back through Mullewa they visited the Pioneer Cemetery to see 2 children’s graves which have headstones built by Hawes.

On returning to Geraldton the group gathered at St Francis Xavier Cathedral for Vigil Mass with the Knights of the Holy  Sepulchre wearing their regalia.  This was followed by a farewell dinner in the nearby Laian Restaurant.