Brian and Miriam Peachey have this year celebrated 60 years of marriage and commemorated the occasion with a Mass at Woodlands Parish on 7 May. The former Pregnancy Assistance Chairman spoke to The Record Magazine about married life and the 60 years spent with his wife, Miriam. By Josh Low.

When Sister of Mercy Mollie Wright retired from her job as a headmistress and made the decision to volunteer her time to help others, little did she know she would have a defining impact on a young refugee mother struggling at one of the lowest points of her life. Sister Mollie, the principal of Mercedes College from 1978 to 1996, has devoted countless hours helping young mothers living at MercyCare’s Coolock Units in Wembley to further their life skills and education. For eighty seven year-old, Sister Mollie, volunteering is about giving a helping hand to people who desperately need it. “I’m especially interested in helping refugees because when I was principal at Mercedes College the terrible genocide in Rwanda was taking place and our school ran a fundraising drive for those affected,” she said. It was that link that drove her to help 24-year-old mother-of-two, Ruby*, a refugee from Rwanda. Ruby had spent 15 years living in a refugee camp in Rwanda before arriving in Australia with her family three years ago.

Finance and business staff from Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) got a sneak peek at the new Administration of Schools (AOS) platform recently.

Reconciliation can transform the lives of the victim and wrongdoer, theologian Dr Laurie Brink op has said at a recent seminar. By Caroline Smith.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) can provide married couples with a great source of inspiration and practical advice, according to Catholic Marriage and Fertility Services Director, Derek Boylen. As well as a reflection on the joy of marriage. By Caroline Smith.

Following the success of its inauguration last year, the 2017 Child Protection Week Breakfast will take place this year on Tuesday 5 September at the Duxton Hotel. Hosted by the Archdiocese of Perth, the event will see many dignitaries, schools and lay people come together. By Caroline Smith.

Former Western Australian Senator, the Hon Chris Ellison has this week been appointed as the new Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia from January 2018. Former politician Michael L’Estrange AO has been appointed Deputy Chancellor from April 2018. Current UNDA Chancellor, Mr Peter Prendiville, who will step down from the position on 31 December 2017, said he is delighted with the appointments of Mr Ellison and Mr L’Estrange. “Both men are widely respected and bring with them a shared commitment to Notre Dame and a wealth of exceptional public, private and educational experience,” Mr Prendiville said. “It is this experience, underpinned by a passion for Notre Dame, that will prove vital in shaping the University…,” he said.

Benedictine monk Dom Robert Nixon was ordained to the Diaconate on 29 July at New Norcia by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton. In a recent interview with The eRecord, Dom Robert opened up about his journey which led him to join religious life and later, monastic life with New Norcia’s Benedictine Community. Born in Mount Isa, North West Queensland, Dom Robert spent his childhood years growing up in Townsville. He said his family’s way of life, strongly rooted in the Catholic faith, established him firmly in the practice and culture of Catholicism. An altar server and church organist, Dom Robert studied music and education; later working as a professional musician and music teacher for a number of years. By Josh Low.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last week blessed and opened the new offices of Identitywa.
Present for the occasion were Western Australian Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, together with representatives from across the Archdiocese, as well as the Sisters of Mercy, partner organisations and other WA disability agencies.
The new offices are located at the former St Brigid’s Northbridge on Fitzgerald Street, which were also offices for the (now former) Archdiocese Finance Office until mid-2016.
Identitywa Board Chair Graeme Mander welcomed guests, acknowledging the significant history of Identitywa and its role in providing services to people with disability and their families.

Founded by Catholic philosopher, theologian and Templeton prize recipient, Jean Vanier, in a small village in France in 1964, L’Arche has grown to be a worldwide federation of over 147 communities for those living with disability in 35+ countries.