There are few subjects as difficult and awkward to discuss with your family as money. At a time when more adults are in the position of needing to provide support for both children and ageing parents, it’s important to talk about finances with your loved ones.
When talking about money, we should acknowledge our emotions but not let them take over the conversation. Here are some ways that you can approach a financial discussion with members of your family in practical and useful ways. By Australian Catholic Superannuation.

For Father Marcellinus Meilak, the 50th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood in March this year passed like any other day – with a Mass in his residential Chapel and a low-key celebration at the Maltese Club in Bassendean, surrounded by friends and parishioners whom he has known during his 24 years in Perth.
The 76-year-old Franciscan of the Order of the Friars Minor (OFM) was ordained in Valetta, Malta, in 1967. Later that year, he arrived in Adelaide to begin what was to be decades of service in parishes across Australia. Reflecting on his decision to join the Franciscans, he said it was largely influenced by his childhood in Libya in the years during, and following World War II, when priests from the Franciscan Order helped to rebuild the country and re-establish its inhabitants, many of whom were returning to Libya after being taken prisoner of war, with Fr Meilak and his family among them. By Caroline Smith.

For Perth man, Sheldon Burke, being a family man with a career was a simple, laid out plan to him.
Little did he know that there were bigger things in store for his life and faith journey. Back in Perth for his summer break from Rome Brother Sheldon spoke to The Record Magazine about his calling to join the Somascan Fathers, making his first profession and life as a consecrated brother.
Br Sheldon says it was his parents who planted the seeds of faith and profound love for God and Our Lady at a very young age. By Natashya Fernandez.

These delicious, yet simple almond cream filled pastries originated in France and are named after the triangular shaped hats traditionally worn by Jesuits. Jésuites were traditionally made to celebrate the feast day of notable Jesuit saints, but have since become a staple dessert in French patisseries that are enjoyed all year round. By Daniele Foti-Cuzzola.

When people think of ‘vocations’, the concept that comes to mind is often one of people involved in religious orders, or who live out the vocation of marriage, with God playing an important role in their relationship and family life. By Caroline Smith.

The idea for the post abortion grief counselling service service was initiated by Archbishop Costelloe SDB after a gap in the services being provided by the Archdiocese in the area, together with a growing need for the service, was identified. By Josh Low and Jamie O’Brien.

At the end of July, Bishop Don Sproxton celebrated the Opening Mass for the 2017 Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival and spoke about learning beginning from an awareness that there is something more for us to know.
“I am fascinated by the stories I have heard from some of the refugees who have been welcomed to Australia. They are spellbinding, and I leave each encounter wondering how I would have coped in the dreadful situations so many have lived through as they fled their homelands.
When I was a Parish Priest at Mirrabooka, I had the chance to listen to many of these stories. Some were told to me by the Assistant Priests, two of whom were refugees, who ministered with me.”

Vocation
Noun (from Latin vocātiō, meaning ‘a call, summons’)
• A divine call to God’s service or to the Christian life
• A function or station in life to which one is called by God: religious vocation; the vocation of marriage

What do we mean when we speak of vocation? The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines it as ‘The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter. God has created the human person to love and serve Him; the fulfilment of this vocation is eternal happiness (CCC 1, 358, 1700)’ with Christ calling all the faithful to the perfection of holiness (CCC825).
Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Perth, Father Jean-Noël Marie, and Team Leader of the Catechist Service Team at Catholic Education WA, Dr Pina Ford, discussed the topic of vocations and what it means for us in the world today with The Record journalist, Josh Low.

Just recently, I was reminded of a comment made by a newly-ordained Bishop who, in speaking at the end of the ordination ceremony, remarked that this, his ordination day, was not the most important day of his life. Rather, he insisted, that honour belonged to the day of his baptism.
There is a profound truth being expressed by the Bishop here. We often speak of baptism as the first Sacrament of Initiation, through which we become members of the Church. This is absolutely true. But of course, the significance of this statement lies in what it means to become a member of the Church. Far from being initiated into a club or a human institution of some kind, initiation into the Church through baptism has a deeply personal character.

“The call to service in the Kimberley is a call to serve Christ. It is a commitment to His Mission, His people and His Church… to light up the fire of divine love in others.” Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders.

For those looking for an opportunity to give back to the community and to work with the locals in remote areas, volunteering at the Kimberley Catholic Volunteer Service in the Diocese of Broome brings about a special closeness that one has to experience.
For volunteers John Chitty and Jan Gorza, who have been up to Kalumburu in the Kimberley not once but more than four times, have only wonderful memories about the place and the community. In an interview with The eRecord, the two recount their time spent in Kalumburu, the many memories created and say that everyone should give volunteering a go, at least once. Hailing from Baker’s Hill in Western Australia, 74-year old Mr Chitty said heading up to Kalumburu had always been a life-long wish. By Natashya Fernandez.