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.”

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.

The inaugural Catholic Social Services Western Australia (CSSWA) Symposium, ‘Walking with His people’ held on 24 and 25 November at Newman Siena Centre, attracted a wide range of speakers from leaders within the Catholic welfare service delivery. Two of those speakers, Archdiocese of Perth Safeguarding Office Director Andrea Musulin and Centrecare Inc Director Tony Pietropicollo AM.

In a statement released last week, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia Francis Sullivan said using BNPL companies including Afterpay, Zip Pay, Latitude and Sezzle, could lead to major debt problems in the New Year. Photo: Adobe Stock. As low-income families around Australia look towards Christmas and the cost of presents and celebrations, the temptation to ‘buy now and pay late...

The Trustees of St John of God Health Care have last week announced the appointment of the Hon Neville Owen AO KCSG as the new Chair of the Trustees, in addition to the appointment of Ms Shelly Park to its board. Photo: Supplied. The Trustees of St John of God Australia Limited have announced the appointment of the Hon Neville Owen AO KCSG as the new Chair of Trustees of St John of God Heal...

In this 2021 Christmas Message, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has emphasised that through celebrating the birth of Christ, God comes as close to us as we are close to those we love most deeply.