ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL PRECINCT PROJECT Bulletin, Volume 6

STAGE ONE

RESTORATION CONSERVATION & ENHANCEMENT

Crothers Construction expect to finish nearly all works for Stage One of the restoration, conservation and enhance-ment of the Cathedral by the end of March. The exception is the cladding of the dome which has been put off due to the overseas delivery of the zinc being de-layed until April. The $1.24m contract price of Stage One has included the removal of asbestos from the Cathedral’s various roofs and their replacement with terracotta ‘Spanish’ tiles as well as removing the asbestos from the dome and replacing it with zinc. These roof claddings are in line with the original specifications of John Hawes. This work alone is giving the Cathedral a very different look. The contract also involves the replace-ment of gutters, downpipes and flash-ings, the repair of stonework, repair work on some of the stained glass win-dows and restoration of the towers, including the installation of clocks that were also part of the original design.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

‘We’ll Meet Again,’ War-

Time Dance

Saturday, April 25th

Live music by Sax

and the Single Girl

$50 per Ticket

Mother's Day Morning Tea

Sunday, May 3rd

Journey to India

Saturday, June 6th

Heritage Tour

Saturday, August 22nd

$3 000 000

2.9

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.1

$2 000 000

1.9

1.7

1.5

1.3

1.1

$1 000 000

0.9

0.7

$500 000

FUNDRAISING

THERMOMETER

For more information visit: www.sfxcathedralproject.com.a

PICTURED ABOVE: View of the Cathedral’s new roof.

PICTURED ABOVE: Bishop Justin discussing the progress of the

conservation works with the Foreman, Andy Taylor.

The community has raised

$2.2M to date!

Heavenly High Tea

Saturday August 8th

FRIENDS OF THE SFX CATHEDRAL

Father Michael Morrissey has been overseeing the construc-tion works on behalf of the Bishop and has been very pleased with the progress. All who are working on the cathedral have enjoyed being involved in its restoration over these past 2 months. Parish-ioners have been watching with real interest to see the change in the Cathedral Roof. Fr Robert Cross has been ob-serving the works to ascertain any items of archaeological or historical significance. As he expected, remnant wooden shingles were found from the very first roofing phase.

THE SYLVA FAMILY from Sri Lanka

Judy and Dr Sam Sylva moved to Aus-tralia from Sri Lanka in 2009 and initially they resided in Adelaide. Two and a half years ago, Dr Sam was appointed as a

Specialist Doctor (Consultant Radiologist) for the Midwest and the family came to Geraldton. The couple have three chil-dren Evangelina (11),Yohan (8) and Chanali (4). The children attend Geraldton Grammar School and are receiving their Sacraments through the Cathedral where Judy attends mass. Judy is able to draw com-parisons between the role of the Church in Sri Lanka and the church in Australia. Followers of the Catholic faith in Sri Lanka are very

proud to be Catholic and really cele-brate sacraments and Holy days for Saints (known as church feasts which last for about a week) by having deco-

rated churches, dinners at home and parties similar to our Christmas. For Christmas in Sri Lanka people really dress up in their finery and Midnight Mass is a very special occasion. In Sri Lanka Hymns sung during mass extend the time it takes and add to the sense of ceremony. Judy’s Local church, St Theresa’s Church in Colombo 5, is a little larger than our Cathedral . There are many huge basilicas and cathedrals in Sri Lanka occupying large acres of land, but with a very similar style including domes, carvings/art work and altars. Judy’s children are continuing to receive their sacraments in St Francis Xavier Cathedral and she enjoys being part of the local Parish.

PICTURED : Yohan, Dr Sam, Judy, Chanail

and Evangelina Sylva

The first SFX Cathedral Precinct Project Cake Stall was held at Rigters’ IGA in October 2012. Under the very capable guidance of Pat Mills, Dympna Kipps and Peg Faithfull it raised over $1200. This group of ladies, with the assistance of many other hardworking volunteers, has continued to run these stalls regularly throughout the last 3 years selling yummy homemade treats to the community. By the end of 2014 the Cake Stalls had raised over $30,000 for the Cathedral Project.

PICTURED : The hard working group of ladies at the Christmas Cake Stall in 2014

Many of you may have seen the blue and white GHS Solutions sign emblazoned on the Cathedral Building site. GHS Solutions have come on board as major sponsors during the Saint Francis Cathedral renovation project. Peta and Andrew Pitcher who own GHS Solutions have strong family links with St Francis Xavier Parish. Peta’s great Uncle, Monsignor John Anthony Barden, was a be-loved priest of the Geraldton Dio-cese for many years, before his retirement and then his passing in 2014. In total Monsignor Barden served as a priest for 61 years and was pivotal in the development of the St Francis Xavier Parish. In his

18 years as Parish Priest at St John’s Rangeway he worked with the parishioners to establish St John’s Church and he built a strong parish community. Peta and Andrew have operated GHS Solutions for three years and enabled it to develop into a vibrant operation employing more than fifty staff. Peta and Andrew have one son Tom, who is in year two at St Francis Xavier Primary School. The SFX Cathedral Precinct Project Committee is extremely grateful to Andrew and Peta and GHS Solu-tions for their generous contribu-tion to the building project.

BIANCHINI FAMILY Host Heavenly High Tea

Over 100 people attended a High Tea in the gardens of Ian and Helen Kendall in Maida Vale in January. Invitations had been issued at several parishes throughout Perth connected to Bishop Justin and his family. The delicious home made food was provided by family members and friends and enjoyed under the shade of the pecan and macadamia trees while Bishop Justin gave a short history of the SFX Cathedral and its architect John Hawes. Guests were invited to contribute to the SFX Cathedral Precinct Project and over $10,000 was raised on the day.

CAKE STALLS

GHS SOLUTIONS

A Major Sponsor

PICTURED : Bishop Justin and his brother Ben

“DEAR AUNTY MAGGIE”Postcard One of our parishioners has uncovered a postcard of historical significance. The postcard was sent during World War I and reads as follows, with the photograph to the left.

“Dear Aunty Maggie This is the view of the temporary altar. Note the rough finishing of the walls. The marble altar is still in Rome. It would be very unwise to send same just now. It perhaps would never reach Geraldton. Un-derneath this altar there is a crypt built in honour of our Catholic soldiers fallen in this war. The altar looks very pretty in reality. When finished same will be best in Australia.”

NAMES ENGRAVED On Cathedral Pillars

Have you ever noticed the names engraved on the pillars of the Cathedral and wondered why they were there? Well here’s the answer. When the Cathedral was built Pastoral Station owners made substantial donations to the building fund in order to have their station names engraved on the large columns. The Pastoral stations often derive their name from Aboriginal words. Hence we have Karara, Bunawarra and Carlaminda among other names.

Fr Cross has identified the initials “F.P.” carved

into a stone on the Cathedral of a possible stone

mason who worked on the Cathedral in 1915 and

also the initials and date “P.E. 1967” which are

presumably of a person who worked on the

Cathedral in 1967.

If you think you can identify

who “F.P. or “P.E.” were,

Fr Robert Cross would love to hear from you at

heritage@diocese-geraldton.org

or phone 99213221

WHOSE INITIALS ARE THESE?

A & A Armanasco

The Aldous and Stinson Families

Family of Catherine and Victor Basile

Ben & Mary Bianchini

The Bianchini Family

Shirley and Bernard Brown

David and Elissa Brown

Peter and Kay Brown

Greg and Jess Brown

The Clarke Family - “In Memory of Gwen Clarke”

Mr and Mrs R Davis

Nigel and Chris Dobson

M & C Doherty

The Eastman Family

The Emmott Family

The Horan Family

The Hovell Family

The Kalajzich Family

Bernie and Kath Keogh

The Krummenacher Family

Aldo and Maria Masiello

The Charlie Messina Families

The McDowell Family

Hazel and Gordon McLoughlin

Drs. G & D Menezes

“In Memory of Vince and Pat O’Dea”

Ron and Imelda O’Malley & Family

John and Val Rowe and Family

The Thuijs Family

Brian and Joy Thurkle

Rev. Fr. Noel Tobin

The Voigt Family

Bishop Justin and the Committee would like to thank all who have contributed to the Campaign

to date. ALL donors will be acknowledged on a Digital Register

and will become part of the history of the SFX Cathedral.

Thanks to our Major Donors listed below as well as those who wish to remain anonymous

for donating or pledging $10,000 or over. These contributions will be acknowledged on a

Wall of Remembrance within the immediate vicinity of the Cathedral.

FAMILIES BUSINESSES

We also acknowledge the contribution of the following

whose donations of funds, time and/or expertise have far exceeded $10,000:

The Cathedral Tour Guides

Seminarian Savio Tuan (Wood Carvings)

Fr Robert Cross and Monica Podesta (Data Base for Hawes Collection)

Schools of the Diocese

Pallottine Community

Society of the Catholic

Apostolate

Sisters of Nazareth

Presentation Sisters

Salvatorians

CONGREGATION OF

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

Saint John of God

Sisters

INSTITUTIONS

Would you like your family name to become a part of the

history of St Francis Xavier cathedral? For more information contact the Campaign Coordinator

Gerry Eastman 0417 912 997 info@sfxcathedralproject.com.au