The National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) in Australia has called on the Federal Government to implement several key social policy issues. If addressed in the 2021-22 Budget, the key social policy issues would significantly improve many Australians’ lives and stimulate economic growth.

St Kieran Catholic Primary School will celebrate its centenary with a landmark Mass and school open day on Sunday 21 March.

Palm Australia is seeking mission recruitment assistance from the Catholic community across Australia with COVID-19 preventing the gatherings normally held to facilitate recruitment for the missions.

In the brooding crime-drama The Little Things (Warner Bros), writer-director John Lee Hancock sets out to explore moral ambiguity in the context of police work. The result, however, ultimately feels more muddled than finely balanced.

The coronavirus pandemic can either be a catalyst for change for the better or it will weaken a world already burdened by global crises, Pope Francis said.

University of Notre Dame Australia Assistant Dean and Lecturer in Old Testament Dr Lawrence Pang writes that although Ash Wednesday is not mentioned in scripture, it has deep biblical roots and gives us the nourishment we need for spiritual growth.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will today participate in a meeting hosted by the United Nations to mark the first International Day of Human Fraternity. According to a statement published on 1 February by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the Holy Father will take part in the 4 February virtual event, which will be hosted in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince.

The Sunday of the Word of God, instituted by Pope Francis in 2019, is meant to encourage all Catholics to know the Sacred Scriptures and their central role in the life of the church and the Christian faith.

The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments note on the “distribution of ashes in time of pandemic” was published on 12 January and directs priests to say “the prayer for blessing the ashes” and then sprinkle “the ashes with holy water, without saying anything”.

A catechist always must teach what the church teaches and that includes the vision and teachings of the Second Vatican Council. It must focus on leading people to a personal relationship with Christ and building a community of believers where the talents of each person are valued and where all go out to share the Gospel and serve the poor, Pope Francis said.