It was great to hear the bells ring out to announce the commencement of the celebrations for the  100th anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church  on Saturday 14th September for the  300 people who had gathered to be part of this milestone event.  

Much work had gone into preparing  for the  Big Day,  including the production of a book, the replacement of all the stained glass window screens, collection and display of photos relating to the past 100 years in the Parish, cleaning and polishing of the chalice used by Hawes in his time in Mullewa, and  preparation of the school, church, and church grounds.  

The Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral Perth along with several choir members from SFX Cathedral Geraldton, joined by 2 violinists, all under the direction of St Mary’s Cathedral Director of Music and Principal Organist Jacinta Jakovcevic,  filled the choir loft and provided the musical backdrop to the Solemn High Mass.

Several  school children as well as current and past parishioners served the Mass, read the Readings and Prayers of the Faithful,  and brought  up the offertory gifts.     

Following the Mass, Bishop Michael launched a Commemorative book which had been compiled by Kerry Marriott and Tony Critch entitled ‘Laying the Stone’.  The book is available from the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum in Geraldton or by contacting Gerry Eastman (0417 912997). 

Fr Robert Cross announced that Monsignor Hawes can now be called  ‘Servant of God John Cyril Hawes’ as the process of inquiring into his life to determine whether or not he might one day be declared a saint has commenced.

Fr Cross on behalf of Monsignor Hawes Heritage Incorporated also launched the OLMC Church Precinct Project, a major fundraising campaign to restore and conserve the Mullewa Church and Priesthouse. If you would like to contribute to that fund you can do so by clicking on the link or contact Fr Cross (heritage@geraldtoncatholic.org.au)

Outside the church a Community Mosaic has been installed to commemorate the anniversary  and it was unveiled by Mayor Jerry Clune and Nils Hay from the Midwest Development Commission, assisted by Lara Dalton MLA representing the Minister for Regional Development. The Mosaic was blessed by Bishop Michael, and Natalie Hillier from the Mullewa CRC thanked the Commission for funding the Project.

Following lunch, which was served in the OLMC School Grounds, a tour was conducted to Mass Rock and the Pioneer Cemetery where wreaths were laid on the graves of two children, Iris McDermott, who passed away at the school, and Selby Arnold, an altar boy of Fr Hawes, who drowned in the Railway Dam 100 years ago.

Photos of Parishioners and Parish Events from the past 100 years were displayed in the School Hall along with photos from the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1974. 

This was a joyful occasion for the many past and current residents of Mullewa who returned and renewed friendships formed through their association with the community of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, and had been inspired by the spirituality and resilience of the founding Parish Priest and architect/builder of the Church,  Fr John Hawes.

Read about the event in The Record.