Perth’s Filipino community came together this Christmas for Simbang Gabi, the traditional nine-day Advent novena celebrated in the Philippines. They were joined by Archbishop Costelloe SDB at Good Shepherd Parish, Lockridge, on Thursday, 16 December, for the first of the ‘Night Masses’ to honor and exalt the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Catholic Church.

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.”

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.