From 1 to 28 June this year, Dr Lawrence Pang, who teaches Old Testament Theology at the University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle campus, visited the Tantur Ecumenical Institute as part of his being a 2017 BJ Hickey Scholarship recipient. By Caroline Smith.

Pope Francis’ teachings on love in his exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, are guided by his wider focus on mercy and compassion, but reinforce the pivotal role of marriage and family in the Catholic Church, Irish theologian Professor Eamonn Conway told attendees at a recent lecture. By Caroline Smith.

Archdiocese of Perth publications The eRecord and The Record Magazine have last weekend been awarded the 2017 Gutenberg Award at the Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) Annual Conference and Awards Night. The eRecord was also awarded Best Design for an Online Publication and Best Education Coverage for an article by Dr Marco Ceccarelli published in Issue three of The Record Magazine (Exploring the dynamic world of digital learning) at the Australasian Catholic Press Conference and Awards Night on Thursday 24 August. The two conferences and award nights were held in Auckland, New Zealand and attended by Archdiocesan Communications Manager and The Record Editor Jamie O’Brien, together with more than 40 fellow journalists and communications professionals from Catholic dioceses and publications across Australia and New Zealand. The ARPA Conference saw some 30 journalists and communications professionals attend across Australia and New Zealand.

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.”