Perth’s annual youth conference Embrace the Grace held from the 8 to 12 December 2021 was inspired by the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, called Amoris Laeticia, inspired the theme of “Real Love”, where young people were invited to rejoice in the joy of love in the family. By Nessya Santoso.

Let the Children Be Heard: A Christmas Reflection on Modern Slavery, an event by Catholic Mission, was an inspiring evening of readings and music at St Michael the Archangel Chapel, Leederville, which raised over $17,000 in support of the Kindergarten Centre of the Good Shepherd Sisters at the Fatima Training Centre (FTC) in Bangkok – for the children of women who are vulnerable to modern slavery in all its guises.

Claremont’s annual Lenten event, The Road to Bethlehem, was an opportunity to share the history behind the annual holiday, with those who may not know the story of Jesus invited to come, see, and hear the true Gospel meaning of Christmas.

The Associated and Catholic Colleges of WA (ACC) have released a new book, The Right Spirit – A History of ACC Sport, written by Perth author Ken Spillman, to celebrate their 85th Anniversary of organising interschool sports contests, events which helped to launch the careers of Western Australian sporting greats such as Sam Kerr, Peter Bol and Matthew Priddis.

American Archbishop Charles Balvo, a veteran of the Vatican’s diplomatic service for more than 30 years, will assume the role of Apostolic Nuncio to Australia. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Coleridge said Archbishop Balvo “comes to us at a complex and challenging time in the Church and in Australia.

The Vatican announced that Pope Francis sent more than 100 000 euros ($113 868) for the relief of the population, in relief aid to the Philippines after typhoon Rai struck in December. The pope also will send 100 000 euros to help migrants stranded on the border of Belarus and Poland and to Caritas Poland, which has been working to assist them. By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service.

Van Helsing’s mysterious latest invention transforms Drac and his pals into humans, and Johnny into a monster. With their new mismatched bodies, Drac and the pack must find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.
By John Mulderig, Catholic News Service.

“What is Christmas? Is it a tree? A statue of a baby with a woman and a man nearby? Yes, it is Jesus, the birth of Jesus,” he said, so “stop for a bit and think of Christmas as a message, a message of peace.”

The inaugural Catholic Social Services Western Australia Symposium ‘Walking with his people’ held on 24 and 25 November at Newman Siena attracted a wide range of speakers from leaders within the Catholic welfare service delivery.

Anyone who has followed the pontificate of Pope Francis will know that he consistently encourages the young to learn from their elders and to remember their roots.