The worst sin of all is not trusting in God’s infinite love and not believing that God is always waiting for his sinning children to return to him, Pope Francis has said during a Mass in the Vatican City. “He is always at the door, waiting for me to open it just a tiny bit to let him in, and to not be afraid” of past sins getting in the way of conversion, the Holy Father said in a Homily on 24 September. By Carol Glatz.

Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Melbourne Campus announced Canberra-based poet Geoff Page as the winner of the 2017 ACU Poetry Prize for his piece Charles S Ryan to Alice E Sumner. Page’s poem was selected ahead of Lichen: 13 points by fellow Canberran Lesley Lebkowicz ($5,000 second prize) and On Botox, bibles and baguettes by Melbourne’s Judy Keighran ($3,000 third prize).

Catholic Students from across Western Australia were last month given the opportunity to compete in the Speak for Faith Competition.

Mercy Health has last week announced it has introduced an entirely new model of care at its not-for-profit homes in Western Australia.

A new purpose-built Boarding House for Year Seven students will offer Aquinas boarders from across Western Australia a home away from home.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has this week called on Catholics from across the Archdiocese to support a prayer initiative from Australian Catholic Marriage and Family Council. The initiative was announced by Bishop delegate for Marriage and Family, the Most Rev Bishop Michael Kennedy.

In keeping with the strategic plan and putting into practice the true meaning of being disciples of Jesus, the 2017 Parish Secretaries Day Mass reiterated the Archbishop’s message of putting Christ at the heart of everything we say, everything we do and everything we are. By Natashya Fernandez.

To promote community understanding of issues synonymous with MercyCare’s values, this year’s MercyCare Oration 2017 took attendees on the personal journey of a lost five-year old boy from the backstreets of India to the beautiful Australian region of Tasmania. Shining the light on MercyCare’s fostering services, there was no one better to tell the story than Saroo Brierley himself. Held at the Hyatt Perth on 21 September, the event brought together 650 guests and dignitiaries, to hear Mr Brierley talk about his remarkable life story which inspired the Hollywood film, Lion. By Natashya Fernandez.

It has been an extraordinary 60 years for Father Don Hughes OMI who recently celebrated his sixtieth anniversary of ordination on 15 September 2017. And, at 85 years of age, he is still proving to be a great witness to Christ and the priesthood. The Mass was celebrated by Provincial of the Oblates from Melbourne, Fr Peter Daly OMI and concelebrated with Fr Don Hughes OMI together with his friend and priest, Fr Kevin Davine OMI and Frs Asad Gill, Michael McMahon, Dave Shelton, Tony Colbert and John Sherman. Fr Hughes was born in Fremantle in 1932 and baptised at then St Patrick’s Church in Fremantle, now St Patrick’s Basilica. Growing up near the church and coming from a staunch Catholic family played an integral part in him joining the priesthood. “We took part in everything that happened in our Parish. The Church was run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), a religious congregation of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church under the patronage of Our Lady,” he said. By Natashya Fernandez.

As President Trump and Supreme Leader Kim Jong‐Un face each other off in a global game of deadly brinkmanship, Pope Francis continues to promote Gospel non-violence as the best response for International Day of Peace on 21 September 2017. On 1 January this year, Pope Francis launched his message – Non-violence: a Style of Politics for Peace – written for the 50th Anniversary of the World Day of Peace.