One of the more enduring traditions of the Christmas season which helps people reflect on the story of Jesus’ birth is the setting up of cribs, or nativity scenes, in the home or local Church.

Students from Kolbe Catholic College in Rockingham joined with Our Lady of Lourdes parish and Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School to present two vibrant events over Christmas to the local community.

St Pius X in Manning had a brief yet very significant addition to its recent Christmas Eve Mass which helped the congregation enter more deeply into the Christmas season. Celebrated by Parish Priest Fr Blasco Fonseca, the Mass featured a re-enactment of the Gospel by talented young parishioners of St Pius X and local school children.

The gifts, talents and hopes of more than 1000 Notre Dame graduates were celebrated at the University’s Graduation Mass and Ceremonies in Perth and Fremantle (12-14 December 2016).

In October 2016, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President, Archbishop Denis Hart, called for an end to the offshore detention of refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island.

Corpus Christi College students recently demonstrated their altruism and attentiveness to the meaning of Christmas by giving the gift of their handmade and decorated teddy bears to unwell children at St John of God Murdoch Hospital.

An authentic piece of artwork by renowned Irish leadlight artist Richard King was recently donated to South Perth Parish of St Columba’s by Monsignor Brian O’Loughlin.

More than 300 people recently attended St Thomas the Apostle Church in Claremont for a night of carols and Bible readings reflecting how the Christmas tradition has been celebrated musically through the ages and in different countries.

The feeling of joy that comes from helping those in need and being helped by volunteers throughout the year 2016 could be sensed at this year’s The Shopfront Christmas Party.

In one of this year’s final events celebrating the 170 year anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy’s arrival to Western Australia, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton unveiled and blessed a life-size bronze sculpture of Mercy Sister Ursula Frayne.