Susan (not her real name) is in her 20s and told The Record why she took part in the Walk and Rally for Life on May 22. What has been your personal experience of the issue? Abortion was one of those touchy subjects that I tried to avoid and ignore until it just couldn’t be ignored anymore. One of my best friends, a Catholic girl who was engaged to be married, told a group of friends that sh...

Dear Father, a friend told me about a prayer called the Trisagium Angelicum which she prays in a group to which she belongs. I had never heard of it. What is it? I think few people would be aware of this ancient prayer to the Blessed Trinity, so it is good that you ask the question. After all, we Catholics should be familiar with the many aspects of our rich cultural and spiritual heritage....

We have no evidence that Pope Benedict XVI had Australia’s Year of Grace in mind during his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday, April 18 this year, but he might have done. In it, he went back to the earliest Christians to tell us how Christians have always dealt with life. “When the first Christian community is confronted by dangers, difficulties and threats it does...

Things might be looking up for Australia's fledgling neighbour, East Timor. International aid agencies are helping people to put the past behind them and, given the country's tumultuous history, that is no small feat. “I have a story,” she says quietly. Aged 33, Dirse Desilva Soares’ future looks bright - she is currently completing a teaching practicum in Perth - but the story she tells is ...

There are moments of genuine holiness to be found in some British television series, Guy Crouchback explains. I have recently obtained by mail order two rather elderly DVD collections of British television series featuring Catholic priests – Bless Me, Father, starring Arthur Lowe, and a collection of GK Chesterton’s Father Brown stories, starring Kenneth More. Both are excellent. In contrast ...

“God has given us tremendous wealth and influence ... what are we doing with it?” So, what are we doing, Catholics? I had never watched a film that claimed it could change the world – I have now. 58, which premiered across Australia in late May, aims to trigger a global Christian movement that will eradicate extreme poverty within one generation. It is no doubt a goal many may believe to ...

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Song and colour abounded at the inaugural Africa Day Mass with many of the continent’s 50 plus countries represented at the North Perth Monastery The inaugural Africa Day Mass on May 25 was never going to be a sedate affair. Standing before several hundred people at the North Perth Monastery, the woman who first suggested the event, Patience Sakonda, exhorted the congregation to the right...

Kelmscott boy Quinton says it feels great to get confirmed in the Year of Grace Surrounded by friends, family and teachers, the Year 6 class of Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School in Kelmscott was confirmed into the Church on Sunday morning, coinciding with the Year of Grace. The Confirmation Mass began with students placing gifts at the altar - a basket of fruits to symbolise the fruit...

Over one hundred years of perseverance, kindness and hospitality in the Kimberley has culminated in a prestigious WA Heritage Award recently for the Sisters of St John of God. The order’s Heritage Centre in Broome stole the award for their outstanding contribution to heritage by a community-based organisation. In coming to their decision, award judges said the centre was “A shining ex...