Awash in high-flown metaphysical hooey, director and co-writer Nikolaj Arcel’s dull sci-fi fantasy The Dark Tower is inappropriate for the impressionable. As for grown viewers, they should be prepared to slog through an involved exposition of non-scriptural ideas borrowed from the series of novels by Stephen King on which the film is built. By John Mulderig.

Pope Francis prays at the tomb of Blessed Paul VI in the grotto of St. Peter’s Basilica on 6 August, the 39th anniversary of Pope Paul’s death. Photo: CNS photo/La Osservatore Romano. Summertime can and should be a time for extra prayer, a moment of peace that allows Christians to savour the joy of their relationship with Jesus and find new strength to reach out with love to others, Pope...

The Bishops Commission for the Plenary Council have last week announced the appointment of Ms Lana Turvey-Collins as the Plenary Council Facilitator. Ms Turvey-Collins will work in partnership with members of the Formation Team of Catholic Mission, forming a Plenary Council Facilitation Team which will comprise Fr Noel Connolly SSC and Mr Peter Gates, Deputy National Director of Catholic Mission.

Finance and business staff from Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) got a sneak peek at the new Administration of Schools (AOS) platform recently.

Former Western Australian Senator, the Hon Chris Ellison has this week been appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia from January 2018. Former politician Michael L’Estrange AO has been appointed Deputy Chancellor from April 2018. Current UNDA Chancellor, Mr Peter Prendiville, who will step down from the position on 31 December 2017, said he is delighted with the appointments of Mr Ellison and Mr L’Estrange. “Both men are widely respected and bring with them a shared commitment to Notre Dame and a wealth of exceptional public, private and educational experience,” Mr Prendiville said. “It is this experience, underpinned by a passion for Notre Dame, that will prove vital in shaping the University…,” he said.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last week blessed and opened the new offices of Identitywa.
Present for the occasion were Western Australian Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, together with representatives from across the Archdiocese, as well as the Sisters of Mercy, partner organisations and other WA disability agencies.
The new offices are located at the former St Brigid’s Northbridge on Fitzgerald Street, which were also offices for the (now former) Archdiocese Finance Office until mid-2016.
Identitywa Board Chair Graeme Mander welcomed guests, acknowledging the significant history of Identitywa and its role in providing services to people with disability and their families.

In a week in which natural disasters, war and racial conflicts dominated the headlines, Pope Francis prayed that Mary would bring peace to a divided world, after reciting the Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August in St Peter’s Square. The Holy Father asked Mary to obtain for everyone consolation and a future of serenity and harmony. By Junno Arocho Esteves.

The St Vincent de Paul Society is seeking volunteers to help raise vital funds in the Perth CDB on Friday 8 September for the Vinnies Annual Street Appeal.

A Ghost Story (A24) could be the best film about purgatory you’ll see this year.

Pope Francis has this week urged young Brazilian Catholics to follow the example of Mary by courageously setting out to improve their society with love for the poor and a commitment to make real connections with other people.