Vocation
Noun (from Latin vocātiō, meaning ‘a call, summons’)
• A divine call to God’s service or to the Christian life
• A function or station in life to which one is called by God: religious vocation; the vocation of marriage

What do we mean when we speak of vocation? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines it as ‘The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter. God has created the human person to love and serve Him; the fulfilment of this vocation is eternal happiness (CCC 1, 358, 1700)’ with Christ calling all the faithful to the perfection of holiness (CCC825).
Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Perth, Father Jean-Noël Marie, and Team Leader of the Catechist Service Team at Catholic Education WA, Dr Pina Ford, discussed the topic of vocations and what it means for us in the world today with The Record journalist, Josh Low.

Perth local Tomas Kenny-Simpson will spend the next 12 months in the Italian town of Loppiano as part of the Focolare Movement’s community. By Josh Low.

Members of Cloverdale Parish came together to celebrate the centenary of Our Lady’s apparition in Fatima with Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe SBD. The procession of the statue was halted due to rain, and Archbishop Costelloe prayed the Rosary before celebrating Mass. By Josh Low.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has last weekend Sunday 13 August led more than 50 people during a Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary’s Cathedral. The occasion brought together more than 50 people together for pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration. By Josh Low.

Carrying the cross with dignity and courage in living and suffering for others was the focus of Auxiliary and Patriarchal Vicar for Israel and Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bishop Giancinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, last week. Bishop Marcuzzo’s comments came during the Investiture Mass of Knights and Dames into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 August. The Investiture Mass, celebrated by Bishop Marcuzzo and concelebrated by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey, saw the addition of three new Knights and two new Dames to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. By Josh Low.

Brian and Miriam Peachey have this year celebrated 60 years of marriage and commemorated the occasion with a Mass at Woodlands Parish on 7 May. The former Pregnancy Assistance Chairman spoke to The Record Magazine about married life and the 60 years spent with his wife, Miriam. By Josh Low.

Western Australia’s oldest Catholic primary school last month celebrated their 120-year anniversary with a Gala Evening on 29 July. By Josh Low.

Benedictine monk Dom Robert Nixon was ordained to the Diaconate on 29 July at New Norcia by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton. In a recent interview with The eRecord, Dom Robert opened up about his journey which led him to join religious life and later, monastic life with New Norcia’s Benedictine Community. Born in Mount Isa, North West Queensland, Dom Robert spent his childhood years growing up in Townsville. He said his family’s way of life, strongly rooted in the Catholic faith, established him firmly in the practice and culture of Catholicism. An altar server and church organist, Dom Robert studied music and education; later working as a professional musician and music teacher for a number of years. By Josh Low.

Founded by Catholic philosopher, theologian and Templeton prize recipient, Jean Vanier, in a small village in France in 1964, L’Arche has grown to be a worldwide federation of over 147 communities for those living with disability in 35+ countries.

The way in which we become the presence of God through the care we offer people was the focus of Auxiliary Bishop of Perth Don Sproxton at the blessing of the new state of art Comfort Care Centre at Castledare Village this week.