For Fathers Joe Pelle and John Hogan – the first two priests ordained from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley – the intervening 20 years have been ones of revelation and inspiration. Both men were ordained at St Mary’s Cathedral in July 1997, three years after the Seminary’s inauguration on 14 August 1994, as an institution guided by the charism of the Neocatechumenal Way. At the time, Fr Pelle was also the first priest to have undertaken all his studies in Western Australia. By contrast, Fr Hogan began his journey to the priesthood in New Jersey, USA, but returned to Perth to complete his studies at Redemptoris Mater Morley (Perth). Reflecting on what led him to consider a life in the Church, Fr Pelle – who is currently Spiritual Director at the Seminary – said the idea had first emerged through his connection with the NeoCatechumenal Way at Mirrabooka Parish. “I experienced a deep restlessness in my heart, and I was convinced that there had to be more to life than just accumulating money and possessions,” he said. By Caroline Smith.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President and Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has this week said that protections for the seal of confession should be protected. Archbishop Hart was responding to a report from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse, which said there should be no excuse for priests who fail to alert police because the information was received in confession.

Arriving in WA as a refugee, James was helped in gaining employment through Catholic agencies, Identitywa and Centacare Employment and Training.

Supporters of Catholic Mission recently met with the National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies in Uganda Father Philip Balikuddembe Amooti.

Two Aranmore Catholic College students have returned from the Bahamas as winners after competing in the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has last weekend Sunday 13 August led more than 50 people during a Holy Hour for Vocations at St Mary’s Cathedral. The occasion brought together more than 50 people together for pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration. By Josh Low.

Leading Irish theologian and scholar Professor Eamonn Conway has been hosting a series of lectures during his two-month period at the University of Notre Dame.In an interview with The eRecord, Prof Conway discussed his recent workshop organised for Catholic Education. By Natashya Fernandez.

Carrying the cross with dignity and courage in living and suffering for others was the focus of Auxiliary and Patriarchal Vicar for Israel and Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Bishop Giancinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, last week. Bishop Marcuzzo’s comments came during the Investiture Mass of Knights and Dames into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 August. The Investiture Mass, celebrated by Bishop Marcuzzo and concelebrated by Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey, saw the addition of three new Knights and two new Dames to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. By Josh Low.

One hundred and forty-four couples have last weekend joined together in celebrating their wedding anniversary at the 2017 Annual Marriage Day Mass on Saturday 12 August at St Mary’s Cathedral Perth. Couples celebrating a significant anniversary also received a certificate to commemorate their special milestone. Director of Catholic Marriage & Fertility Services, Mr Derek Boylen said that the Mass is a time to celebrate the contribution the sacrament of Marriage makes to the church, the community and society. “This year, the combined total years of married life experience comes to about 5800. A third of them have been married for 50 or more years,” Mr Boylen said. By Natashya Fernandez.

A vocation is understood as a call from God and, for Sister Therese Chau, it was a very surprising one, so much so that, even after 19 years, she is still amazed at God’s call for her. By Natashya Fernandez.