Like everyone else, I was surprised by the sudden resignation of Pope Benedict, whom we had all come to love. This raises many questions. Is this provided for in law? To whom does the Pope submit his resignation? And can the Cardinals elect someone who is not a Cardinal?

Raymundo, now 24, was only nine years old when he joined the circus. This was the beginning of a whole new life, away from the influence of gangs, drugs, alcohol and a potential life on the streets.

We all know Lent is a time of self-denial. Perhaps the ‘crystal bucket’ could help us grow more in this special season of Faith …

Can being disabled and needy give others the chance to be more humane? One bioethicist thinks so, writes Anna Krohn …

Catholic bush families grappling with the growing pressure of fly-in, fly-out economic forces seem to have few friends these days, says Fr Robert Cross …

Now in its ninth month, Mark Reidy looks back at the foundation and meaning behind the Australian bishops’ call for a special country-wide Year of Grace.

Fr Geoff Beyer wasn’t the only one to experience dramatic changes upon his entering the Catholic Church in 1968; so did his wife Dorothy and their children. Now he’s written a book about his life. It has been an interesting ride, Fr Beyer told The Record’s Matthew Biddle.

Lara Malin, musician and coordinator of Pregnancy Assistance, gets personal with The Record. She opens up about helping women facing crisis pregnancies and the special connection between music and faith. She also tells us what an old worn-out Beatles book means to her and which singer she thinks is attractive.

This week’s editorial focuses on Dr Evelyn Billings who recently passed away and the remarkable contributions of Dr Evelyn and her husband John have had to Catholic marriages and families all over the globe.

‘Benedict, on the other hand, sees the Church as the true path to freedom and fulfilment of life,’ says the Editor in his Editorial on Pope Benedict XVI in the Feb 13 Edition of the Record.