Comfortable in the presence of Mary and at a shrine that symbolizes one of his most important experiences as a member of the Latin American bishops’ council, Pope Francis kicked off five days of intense activity with an act of devotion.

The mosaic of hundreds of national flags waving in the cold wind on Copacabana beach was symbolic, as pilgrims from all backgrounds, driven by a single faith, participated in the opening Mass for World Youth Day.

A new Branch of the Order of the Knights of the Southern Cross in Western Australia was formally commissioned at St Mary’s Cathedral on July 14, 2013.

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLICS are being urged to carefully consider their vote in the federal election due to be held in September. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference recently released their 2013 Election Statement outlining the major issues that Catholic voters need to consider. These included marriage and family, child protection, the poor, and respect for life, among others. The ...

A NEW television series called The Bible has been labelled a “new cult hit” after its premiere episode on July 16 attracted large ratings around Australia. The first episode, titled Beginnings, attracted 880,000 viewers, while the second episode, Exodus, which followed immediately after, had an audience of 793,000. The show’s ratings were stronger than several rival shows including Ma...

ADA FURBY, believed to be the oldest living person in WA, celebrated her 110th birthday on July 22 at her Villa Pelletier nursing home in West Leederville. Staff, friends, volunteers and other guests gathered to mark the occasion at the aged care facility, which is operated by Southern Cross Care. Among those present was Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop, who presented Ms ...

MORE than 50 children celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 at Infant Jesus Parish in Morley. It was the first time the parish, which is under the care of the Discalced Carmelite Friars, has held the children’s event for several years. The majority of the children, who were aged between 2 and 14, were either from the parish or the Infant Jesus Primary School. ...

CREATING a Catholic culture where youth ministry is valued is the biggest challenge facing Acts2 College of Mission and Evangelisation (Acts2CoME), according to principal Jane Borg. The vocational training college has been in operation for almost a decade, and offers its students a variety of qualifications in youth ministry work. Although youth ministry has grown in recent times, Mrs...

The dream of trying to see Pope Francis up close ended at a police barricade for 74-year-old Odaleia Bastos. Bastos, like many residents of Rio’s Laranjeiras neighborhood, had hoped to see the pope as he entered the Guanabara Palace, the governor’s official residence, for his first official event in the city. Instead, she and hundreds of well-wishers were met with police security forces and riot police.

Pilgrims arrive on July 23 for the opening ceremony of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Thousands endured rain and wind on Copacabana beach as they gathered for the event's kickoff and opening Mass. [gdl_gallery title="wydomass" width="130" height="100" ]