The only da Vinci surgical robot in Western Australia has surpassed a milestone of performing 500 procedures. St John of God Subiaco Hospital’s surgical robot, affectionately known as “Marvin”, has called the hospital home since 2008, assisting surgeons in performing minimally invasive, radical prostatectomies and other delicate surgeries. A surgeon operates the da Vinci robot console...

The smell of hot masala curry wafting from the school grounds and the sound of Bollywood music was enough to make any passerby think they had stumbled into India – not Gosnells – last Saturday night. More than 200 parishioners of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish gathered at St Munchin’s Catholic School hall for the ‘Discovering Culture Night’ to experience everything Indian. T...

Year 12 Sacred Heart College student Caitlin Barker-Malcolm was awarded First Prize in the Angelico Art Exhibition for her art work titled “New Game” on Tuesday August 14. Writing in the college newsletter, school principal Peter Bothe said that the painting on a large canvas, “... is a piece that will provoke a thoughtful reflection on the nexus between the digital and natural world. ...

A warm and gracious man who you would not want to crack an Irish joke in front of, is how Bunbury priests affectionately describe Bishop Myles McKeon, the man who changed the face of the south-west diocese. About 30 priests from the diocese gathered at the St John of God Villa in Subiaco on September 11 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Bishop McKeon as a Bishop. ...

Age is no barrier for the like-minded duo set to lead the St Vincent de Paul Society in WA through the next four years. Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Mark Fitzpatrick and President Jeff Trew both say they have a good working relationship and a shared vision to help the community. Mr Trew, who took over from outgoing State President Clément Astruc, was commissioned on Septemb...

You do not have to be graceful to attend Women of Grace but you do have to be a woman – however exceptions can be granted, like the one given to Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey. More than 100 women attended the retreat organised by the Catholic Women’s Group at the Good Shepherd parish in Lockeridge on August 25. Lecturer from the Maranatha Institute and the Biblical Foundation, Mich...

Twenty-four hours a day Fr Jeronimo Flamenco-Castillo is on call, ready to assist God in shepherding the sick and dying to the other side. It is a journey he has witnessed often over the past two years in his role as Catholic Chaplain of Royal Perth Hospital, where about 25 per cent of patients admitted identify themselves as Roman Catholic. When he started his journey to priesthood F...

A closer examination of federalism, the legitimacy of government and freedom of speech in the media can develop a greater understanding of Australian politics at a Commonwealth level. These are some of the central issues considered in a new textbook titled; Politics in Australia: Assessing the Evidence, co-authored by Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations on The Univers...

Natural Family Planning Week was celebrated at the Newman Siena Centre on Saturday August 11 with an Afternoon Reflection and Thanksgiving Mass hosted by Billings LIFE WA. Bishop Donald Sproxton celebrated Mass and the participants gave thanks for God’s gift of Love and Life that Natural Family Planning has provided to them as couples and families. Facilitated by members of SmartLovin...

Emmanuel Catholic College students and teachers slept under the stars in cardboard boxes on August 17 to raise money for the annual Vinnies Sleep Out campaign. About 50 students and teachers participated in the annual event that raises awareness about homelessness in society and collects donations of money, clothes, items and food for St Vincent de Paul. Year 11 student Grace Goncalve...