When more than 100 people gathered under the shade of pecan and macadamia trees on a picturesque Maida Vale property on 18 January, they would have been pleased to know they were contributing to the building of God’s Kingdom on earth… literally.
The event, hosted on the rural property of Ian and Helen Kendall, was organised to raise funds for the restoration and renovation of St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton.
As guests enjoyed a high tea, including a wide variety of homemade cuisine, Geraldton Bishop Justin Bianchini provided them with a history of the heritage-listed cathedral, its architect, Monsignor Hawes, and plans for its future development.
Bishop Bianchini said that the cathedral’s restoration had been a long time coming but assured the audience that, “things that go slowly and steadily go surely”.
The entire development project is estimated to cost $7.8 million, which will include the construction of a new Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre and the landscaping and beautification of the cathedral grounds.
The Cathedral Precinct Project Committee, which is overseeing the project, has launched a capital fundraising campaign to initially raise $3 million to restore the cathedral, of which $2.2 million has been received to date.
It has also submitted a proposal to the State government for development of the Heritage Centre and will be making further submissions to Lotterywest for specific grants once the building has been funded. The committee will also approach the Federal government to fund the $2.5 m shortfall in the total project.
It is anticipated the final stage of the project will be completed by 2016 to mark the centenary of the laying of the cathedral’s foundation stone.
The Maida Vale event, which was attended by many who have been associated with the Geraldton diocese, raised more than $10,300.
One of the organisers, Benedict Bianchini, the Bishop’s older brother, said he had been inspired to hold the event after witnessing the success of similar fundraisers which had been held within Geraldton and thought it would be a good idea to reach out to people outside the diocese.
He thanked all those who attended the event and for the efforts of those who assisted him in making the afternoon possible.
For more information on the St Francis Xavier Cathedral Precinct Project, go to www.sfxcathedralproject.com.au