Conversion as the central dynamic of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) was at the heart of the message at the 2017 RCIA State Conference, last weekend. Held at Morley Parish on Saturday 21 October, the conference was co-hosted by the Archdiocese of Perth and Diocese of Geraldton.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton last week spoke about the importance of being involved in the ministry of the Church as he ordained Mark Anthony Rucci from St Charles Seminary to the Diaconate.
The Mass, held on Friday 20 October at St Benedicts Church, Applecross Parish, was celebrated by Bishop Sproxton and concelebrated with St Charles Seminary Rector Father Philip Fleay, Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely, together with Deacon Tung Vu and priests from across Perth. The ordination brings Deacon Rucci one step closer to the ministry of priesthood. In the presence of some 400 family, friends and parishioners from across Perth who have been touched by the new Deacon’s journey, Bishop Sproxton said that it was a joyful day to celebrate with and pray for him as he is ordained.” Bishop Sproxton went on to say that Mark was named after two great saints and shares in the journey of faith more closely to them.

Hieu Nguyen CSsR and Son Nyugen CSsR from the Redemptorist Monastery have last month attained one of the great milestones of their spiritual journey as they were ordained to the Diaconate by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton on Saturday 30 September at the Redemptorist Monastery in North Perth.
Hailing from Vietnam, the two men have reached this important step of their formation through years of prayer, discernment, and academic study. Their ordination brings them a step closer to their priestly ministry. In his homily for the occasion, Bishop Sproxton told the two men that they are called to be in the ministry to serve and reiterated that ‘the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve’ (Mk 10:45a). Acting Rector for the Redemptorist Monastery, Father Vincent Pham, said that the celebration was magnificent and meaningful. By Natashya Fernandez.

Mercy College was pleased to see their Soccer Academy Director Mr Trim Morgan acknowledged for his dedication to the sport with a state award.

The fifth SVARA charity concert organised by the Indonesian Catholic Youth Organisation (ICYO) was held on Saturday 7 October. By Josh Low.

Students from several Catholic schools have once again outdone themselves at the State Tournament of Minds held on 10 September. By Natashya Fernandez.

World-renowned Catholic apologist (defender of the faith) and speaker for Catholic Answers, Trent Horn specialises in teaching Catholics to defend the faith in a gracious and persuasive manner by using sound arguments. Mr Horn sat down with The eRecord to talk about faith and apologetics. By Josh Low.

The KORA Centre run by the Servants of Mary (Servite Sisters) celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Centre was established in 1977 by Sister Carmelin of the Servite Sisters who, in accordance with the Servite charism of compassion, saw a need to reach out to Indigenous families. By Josh Low.

Being witnesses of the Catholic faith in everyday life situations and standing up courageously for the truth was a key message at this year’s Teens Camp run by Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) Perth. The camp was held from 25 to 28 September at Manjedal Activities Centre in Karrakup. By Josh Low.

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.