Catholic Women’s League pilgrimage continues with visits to Tunnack and Colebrook

By Josh Low

The sleepy little towns of Tunnack and Colebrook, in the Lower Midlands were the sites of a recent pilgrimage run by the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of Tasmania.

Held on Sunday 27 October, the pilgrimage commenced with Mass at St Brigid’s in Tunnack celebrated by Fr Edmond Travers MSC, which was followed by a picnic lunch on the grounds before continuing to St Patrick’s Church in Colebrook.

CWL State Secretary Judy Gibbens explained that the pilgrimage began some five years ago.

“Several years ago the Archbishop approached the Catholic Women’s League and suggested we do pilgrimages around old churches that aren’t used very much in Tasmania,” she said.

“So that’s the reason we hold it every year – and we visit one or two churches, with this year being St Brigid’s and St Patrick’s.

“Booklets about the history of the churches were distributed and a shell was presented to everyone to wear.”

At the conclusion of Mass and lunch at St Brigid’s, the entourage moved south and were welcomed to St Patrick’s by the monks from Notre Dame Priory who had prepared the church for their visit.

“The Blessed Sacrament had been exposed and was waiting for pilgrims to spend a little time in private prayer,” Mrs Gibbens said.

“The Rosary was recited with prayers of hope for peace in the world, Benediction followed, and as people were quietly leaving the church, the bells rang out joyfully.

“The camaraderie and the feeling of peace which came was just beautiful.

“Two beautiful little old churches visited and what a special day!” she concluded.

The CWL was first established in Tasmania in the 1940’s, and currently has branches at Launceston, George Town, Oatlands, Richmond and Hobart, as well as a CWL Craft Shop in Mather’s Lane, Hobart.