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 such as the importance of prayer and the value of forgiveness with a more secular message about pursuing your dreams. By John Mulderig.

The hilarious romantic comedy revolves around a group of people from all walks of life whose lives collide when they all come together for an annual music festival held over three consecutive summers. Among the group of music lovers is the talented and headstrong Keevey (Rebecca Breeds), who performs alongside her father, Eamon (John Waters) in an Irish folk band. By Daniele Foti-Cuzzola.

The biography of the fifth Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Norman Thomas Gilroy, was launched last month on 26 October at the University of Notre Dame in Broadway by Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher OP. Authored by historian, John Luttrell FMS, this first extended biography of Cardinal Gilroy examines his life and his significance as a religious leader in twentieth century Australia and beyond.

Being bearers of God’s Word ‘into the concrete and specific world in which we live our daily lives’ was at the heart of Archbishop Timothy Costelloe’s message at the 25th anniversary celebrations of Bateman Parish’s St Thomas More Church, last weekend. Past and present clergy of the parish gathered to concelebrate Mass with Archbishop Costelloe SDB, including the Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely and St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Monsignor Michael Keating, together with Fr Brennan Sia, Fr Nelson Po, Fr Garner Vergara, Fr Daniel Boyd, Fr Thi Lam and current Parish Priest Fr Phong Nguyen, assisted by Deacon Bruce Talbot. By Josh Low.

Butchery accompanied by siren-wail screaming, franchise shock value that has long since played out and a rapid descent into self-parody, this is Jigsaw. The eighth, uh, film in the ‘Saw’ series, which is now about seven and a half movies too long – has nothing new to say and far too much about it that’s familiar, most prominently, scenes of intricately choreographed torture and murder. By Kurt Jensen

“We need a somewhere, a special someplace, where we can pray – and pray together, because Jesus came into our world to save us as a people, as a community of believers who share faith in Him,” Fr Deeter said. “Our communication by phone and by email may be fast, but the effort to meet face-to-face seems more difficult. We have people sitting together at a table with their phones, each one in his or her own little world, ignoring the others. But by coming to Church to worship together, face-to-face, we open ourselves to the task of forming community.” By Josh Low

“I rejoiced when I heard them say, ‘Let us go to God’s house’ – and now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem (Psalm 122).

These were the words that Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe SDB said as he welcomed parishioners to the centenary anniversary celebrations of South Perth Parish on 29 October. “These words capture something of the joy which I suspect many of us feel as we gather in this historic Church to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formal establishment of the parish of Saint Columba and the appointment of Father Raphael Pace as the first Parish Priest of the Catholic community which gathered on this site to celebrate Mass,” the Archbishop said. Archbishop Costelloe was the principal celebrant of the Mass together with Parish Priest Monsignor Brian O’Loughlin PP, Rev Fr Michael Casey PE and Rev Fr Manoel Borges LCL. Parish Priest Monsignor O’Loughlin said the celebration was a joyous occasion to remember the rich history of the Parish and all those who helped make it possible. By Natashya Fernandez

Fiambre is a cold salad that is traditionally eaten in Guatemala on All Souls Day (Day of the Dead). Fiambre originated from the Guatemalan tradition of bringing the deceased their favourite dishes to the cemeteries for the Day of the Dead. Fiambre differs from family to family and this recipe can be altered to suit yours and your families favourite ingredients. By Daniele Foti-Cuzzola.

Though it presents itself as a complex, thinking person’s thriller, The Snowman, director Tomas Alfredson’s adaptation of Jo Nesbo’s best-selling novel, is not above dabbling in penny-dreadful sensationalism. In between, this Nordic whodunit returns to plodding wearily across the frozen landscape of its unconvincing mystery. By John Mulderig.

As a former Jesuit seminarian and current writer and literary critic, Gerard Windsor is well-placed to explore Catholic faith and identity from both a theological and personal standpoint in his recent book, The Tempest-Tossed Church. Indeed, personal experience infuses each chapter as Windsor reflects on his own journey of faith and the issues and people who have affected it. By Caroline Smith.