“The Church today is a communion of people who teach the truth,” said Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton on the occasion of the annual Mass for the Commissioning of Catechists at St Michael the Archangel Chapel. “They propose the truth rather than impose it and this, I think, would be the key principal in our teaching, our preaching, our guidance of people in their lives,” Bishop Sproxton said. The Mass, held on 11 October, was celebrated by Bishop Sproxton and concelebrated with 18 priests and two Deacons. It was attended by more than 200 people and celebrated the commissioning and blessing of 50 Catechists from three groups, including the Catechist Service, Personal Advocacy Service (PAS) and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) Team Leader Catechist Service, Dr Pina Ford, who was involved in the organising and training for the Catechists, said the event is an occasion for these groups to celebrate the achievements of those who had attained important milestones in their formation. By Natashya Fernandez.

In his mission to reach the disengaged Catholic, Bruce Downes, also known as The Catholic Guy, is Australia’s first lay television presenter who has now started presenting with the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the largest Christian television network in the world. In an interview with The eRecord via Skype from the US, Mr Downes discussed The Catholic Guy, life on international television, and why he is grateful to the Archdiocese of Perth, in particular to Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey and the priests for doing what they did to make the ministry work. He said it all began with Impact Catholic Ministry that raised questions on how the ministry would go about proclaiming the Gospel and reach the 90 per cent of Catholics who don’t attend Church. “I was the Youth and Young Adults Ministry Director from 1990 to 1998 and one of the things we noticed was that there were so many youth and young families that were dropping out of Church,” Mr Downes said. By Natashya Fernandez.

Misogyny hangs over Blade Runner 2049 as blithely as the fog of the post-apocalyptic Los Angeles it portrays. While that’s not unusual for science-fiction epics with a substantially male audience, director Denis Villeneuve has made a two-and-a-half-hour film that, in its eagerness to have the audience linger over every point about artificial life developing authentic human emotions, feels more like four hours. By Kurt Jensen.

The Sisters of the Good Samaritan have elected a new leadership team and discerned a new Statement of Directions for the next six years at their 26th Chapter Gathering in Sydney earlier this month. Of the 208 Good Samaritan Sisters who live and minister throughout Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Kiribati, 115 were present for the Chapter Gathering which explored issues of global and local importance.

A WA first, virtual reality goggles are helping ease children’s anxiety when undergoing small procedures at St John of God hospitals.

Researchers at Notre Dame University are rewriting the playbook for educators in a bid to provide greater spiritual opportunities for children.

Identitywa recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special edition of their triennial magazine, Identikite. By Natashya Fernandez.

The Gospel of Matthew 20, verses 1-16 is one that highlights the importance of work, and describes an optimal environment where people can make a living and be respected for their efforts, said Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, speaking on the occasion of the Perth launch of the 2017-2018 Social Justice Statement. “An environment where people are trusted and respected, and are allowed to work for their livelihood, but also to enable them to care for those in their responsibility,” Bishop Sproxton said. The Justice, Ecology and Development Office (JEDO) last week coordinated the launch of the 2017-2018 Social Justice Statement, Everyone’s Business: Developing an Inclusive and Sustainable Economy on 21 September, the International Day of Peace, in the presence of Archdiocesan agency Directors and staff. The statement was officially launched by Bishop Sproxton, who is Vicar for Adult Faith Formation and Parish Renewal. By Natashya Fernandez.

It was with great enthusiasm that the Centre for Faith Enrichment (CFE) recently announced the opening of applications for scholarships from the BJ Hickey Biblical Foundation, which intends to help lay people in the Archdiocese of Perth, further their biblical studies. By Marco Ceccarelli.

To celebrate the influence of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn in Australia and on the 50th anniversary of his death, a special Mass was held at the Holy Spirit Chapel at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle on 10 September and saw 50 former, current and future members attend. By Natashya Fernandez.