A new video published on World Teachers Day reflected on teachers’ ability to inspire, challenge, motivate, empower, create, nurture, adapt and respect.

Perth priest Rev Dr Joe Parkinson has last week been awarded the Catholic Health Australia 2021 Sr Maria Cunningham Lifetime Contribution Award.

The award recognises Dr Parkinson’s work over the past 40 years, in particular his contributions to St John of God Health Care, one of Australia’s largest Catholic providers of health care services, and his impact on the community through a lifetime of bioethics writing, teaching and consultancy across health, aged care and education.

Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli has last week written to all members of the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Melbourne expressing grave concerns about new legislation which will seriously diminish the rights of religious organisations to manage their activity according to their faith and conscience.

A prayer campaign in support of frontline healthcare workers has been launched by the University of Notre Dame, following inspiration from a Wollongong priest.

University of Notre Dame Australia Professor Tracey Rowland is the first Australian to receive a prestigious Ratzinger Prize for 2020, which is described as the “Nobel Prize” in Theology. She received her award from Pope Francis in October 2021.

A vivid performance from Will Smith as the father of future tennis greats Venus and Serena Williams energises this intriguing fact-based sports drama. By turns determined and, as the nickname of the title suggests, domineering, with the help of his dedicated wife, he overcomes long odds to fulfil his dream of making his daughters world-renowned champions.

Divine Word priest Fr Tim Norton will become an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Fr Norton, who is currently in ministry in Italy, will early next year join Auxiliary Bishop Ken Howell in supporting Archbishop Mark Coleridge in serving the Catholics of Brisbane Archdiocese.

Blessed Charles de Foucauld will finally be canonised 15 May 2022, the Vatican announced on 9 November. Along with Blessed de Foucauld, the spring ceremony will see the canonisation of the Indian martyr Devasahayam Pillai and five founders of religious orders.

A new book produced by the Australian Catholic Bishops titled Streams of Light: Easter Messages from Australian Bishops During Lockdown 2020 is a collection of sermons and pastoral letters of the bishops of Australia during the height of the pandemic.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Mark Coleridge said bishops and leaders of religious congregations have worked with Catholic Church Insurance for more than 100 years, last year reporting that recent and projected compensation claims for historical abuse had necessitated an increase in the company’s capital levels.