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.

Catholic Youth Ministry’s (CYM) ‘Endless Wonder’ themed Ball saw some 100 young Catholics from across Perth come together for a night of festivities.

Perth local Tomas Kenny-Simpson will spend the next 12 months in the Italian town of Loppiano as part of the Focolare Movement’s community. By Josh Low.

Sacred Heart College student Vincent Pettinicchio has found a unique way to help homeless people in Perth. By Caroline Smith.

The University of Notre Dame Australia community came together to recognise nearly three decades of achievements since the institution’s founding in 1989. Founders’ Week, held on the week of 14-20 August, honours the founders, staff, alumni, students and supporters of the University. By Caroline Smith.

Members of Cloverdale Parish came together to celebrate the centenary of Our Lady’s apparition in Fatima with Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe SBD. The procession of the statue was halted due to rain, and Archbishop Costelloe prayed the Rosary before celebrating Mass. By Josh Low.