By Daniele Foti-Cuzzola It was only fitting that Melbourne based photographer and journalist Fiona Basile named her debut children’s book Shhh…God Is in the Silence, as it was in the silence that she found her inspiration. After working for several years at the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s Kairos Catholic Journal, Basile took a period of extended leave and enrolled in a 30-day silent r...

Animated characters appear in the movie “The Star.” Photo: CNS/Sony Pictures. By John Mulderig A holiday treat suitable for all but the tiniest, The Star (Sony) is a delightful animated version of the Christmas story told from the perspective of some of the animals present in the manger. Director Timothy Reckart and screenwriter Carlos Kotkin skilfully balance religious themes suc...

Today, many adults face questions of faith, life and meaning. Navigating through such questions in a manner that builds faith and understanding can at times be challenging, and can in some cases result in one becoming discouraged in their pursuit of answers and understanding. What do we really believe about the Bible? Does the world need Jesus Christ? If so, why? If God is so good, why do ba...

Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell star in star in a scene from the movie “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” Photo: CNS/Sony By John Mulderig Writer-director Dan Gilroy’s drama Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a generally intriguing character study pitting idealism against the hard realities of contemporary life and the allure of wealth and comfort. Though the film takes left-wing values for granted...

Fr Manoel Lopes Borges and Fr Ernesto Cerutti during their Ordination to the Priesthood in 2007 at Infant Jesus Church, Morley Parish. Photo: Peter Rosengren. By Josh Low On 16 November 2007, Deacon Manoel Lopes-Borges, Ernesto Cerutti and Arnel Taracina were ordained to the priesthood at Infant Jesus Church, Morley by then Archbishop Barry Hickey. In celebration of the tenth annivers...

Hector and Miguel embark on an epic adventure in Disney Pixar’s Coco. Photo: Supplied. By Daniele Foti-Cuzzola For more than 20 years, Pixar have crafted stories that have taken viewers of all ages on unforgettable journeys, from the depths of the ocean, to outer space, to the Scottish highlands and Parisian kitchens. But Director Lee Unkrich’s (Toy Story 3) latest offering Coco takes...

Father Andrew Bowron blesses a cross mosaic made by students from St Mary’s School in Merredin. Photo: Supplied. By Caroline Smith Members of the Merredin Catholic community came together in their hundreds to celebrate the 90th anniversary of St Mary’s School earlier this year. The celebration, which included a school fair and a reunion dinner was held on Saturday 14 October, and broug...

Dan Stephens and Christopher Plummer in a scene from the film ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’Photo: CNS Photo/Bleeker Street. By John Mulderig Its rather ill-chosen title notwithstanding, The Man Who Invented Christmas (Bleecker Street) involves no denial of the Nativity. Instead, this charming fact-based historical drama tells the origin story of Victorian author Charles Dickens’...

For Father Neville Connell, a former Anglican, joining the priesthood of the Catholic Church was part of a long and winding journey of faith, which culminated in his ordination in August at Mt Lawley Parish, St Paul’s Church. Fr Connell is a member of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, which encompasses people who have not completed the Catholic Sacraments of Initiation who seek to live the full Catholic faith. He said that the celebration of faith had been a strong feature of his life early on. “At the age of around nine, I began to tread the well-tried path of Anglican boys – I became a choir boy, complete with Eton collar, was confirmed at the age of 11, and in due course was an altar server, member and office bearer of parish youth groups,” Fr Connell said. By Caroline Smith and Jamie O’Brien.

A holiday treat suitable for all but the tiniest, The Star (Sony) is an animated version of the Christmas story told from the perspective of animals in the manger. By John Mulderig. The Record Magazine has 10 tickets to The Star to give away. Simply tell us why Christmas is special for you and your family. Please include your name, postal address and a contact number. Winners announced Monday 18 December.