Speaking during his weekly general audience, Wednesday 26 January, Pope Francis has said that parents, in particular, often must grapple with situations or problems that are out of their control, such as when their child is sick or has a chronic illness. “How much pain is there!”.

Mercy Health representative say they are extremely fortunate to have so many committed team members that are only too happy to go the extra mile to care for their residents and also help to inject a little Christmas spirit into their day.
Annette Tunhla and Perli Dizonare just two of the team members who forfeited Christmas Day with their families to help care for the dozens of residents at local not-for-profit aged care home Mercy Place Lathlain.

Staff and students at St Norbert College spent part of their year-end holidays bringing joy to Emmaus community residence for people living with mental illness. Seaton Catholic College practised their annual tradition with each student from Years 7 to 11 contributing the St Vinnies Christmas Hampers.

MercyCare clients who have come to Australia as refugees or asylum seekers from countries like Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia, Burma/Myanmar, Iran and Afghanistan have gained a new job opportunity – thanks to local social enterprise group LOOP, which partners with large companies like Water Corp and Clough to repurpose used corporate uniforms by engaging people from disadvantaged backgrounds and providing them with the opportunity to gain employment and skills training.

Father Michael Boudaher was ordained a Maronite priest on 18 December 2021 at Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Thornbury, Melbourne. Mass celebrant Eparch of the Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay said ‘’priests becomes the bridge between humanity and the Divine.”

Journalist Salvatore Cernuzio, author of new book ‘Veil of Silence’ captures the psychological, spiritual and physical abuse experienced within women religious communities. There are personal accounts by Sisters and their hopes for the future. By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service.

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.