In his mission to reach the disengaged Catholic, Bruce Downes, also known as The Catholic Guy, is Australia’s first lay television presenter who has now started presenting with the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the largest Christian television network in the world. In an interview with The eRecord via Skype from the US, Mr Downes discussed The Catholic Guy, life on international television, and why he is grateful to the Archdiocese of Perth, in particular to Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey and the priests for doing what they did to make the ministry work. He said it all began with Impact Catholic Ministry that raised questions on how the ministry would go about proclaiming the Gospel and reach the 90 per cent of Catholics who don’t attend Church. “I was the Youth and Young Adults Ministry Director from 1990 to 1998 and one of the things we noticed was that there were so many youth and young families that were dropping out of Church,” Mr Downes said. By Natashya Fernandez.

A WA first, virtual reality goggles are helping ease children’s anxiety when undergoing small procedures at St John of God hospitals.

Researchers at Notre Dame University are rewriting the playbook for educators in a bid to provide greater spiritual opportunities for children.

Identitywa recently celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special edition of their triennial magazine, Identikite. By Natashya Fernandez.

A national conference celebrating pastoral music has highlighted the role of music and song in bringing people together and reflecting the very nature of the Church, as an integral part of its ritual, liturgy and prayer, with keynote speakers reflecting on this theme. By Caroline Smith.

It was with great enthusiasm that the Centre for Faith Enrichment (CFE) recently announced the opening of applications for scholarships from the BJ Hickey Biblical Foundation, which intends to help lay people in the Archdiocese of Perth, further their biblical studies. By Marco Ceccarelli.

To celebrate the influence of Cardinal Joseph Cardijn in Australia and on the 50th anniversary of his death, a special Mass was held at the Holy Spirit Chapel at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle on 10 September and saw 50 former, current and future members attend. By Natashya Fernandez.

People wanting to know more about Indigenous spirituality were given the opportunity through a series of Perth workshops. By Caroline Smith.

Father Peter Toan Nguyen OP was recently farewelled at Doubleview Parish as he moves on to Camberwell Parish in Melbourne. By Natashya Fernandez.

Major upgrades to Willetton Parish Sts John and Paul Church were celebrated after the successful completion of the project. By Josh Low.