Perth priest Rev Dr Joe Parkinson has last week been awarded the Catholic Health Australia 2021 Sr Maria Cunningham Lifetime Contribution Award.

The award recognises Dr Parkinson’s work over the past 40 years, in particular his contributions to St John of God Health Care, one of Australia’s largest Catholic providers of health care services, and his impact on the community through a lifetime of bioethics writing, teaching and consultancy across health, aged care and education.

A prayer campaign in support of frontline healthcare workers has been launched by the University of Notre Dame, following inspiration from a Wollongong priest.

University of Notre Dame Australia Professor Tracey Rowland is the first Australian to receive a prestigious Ratzinger Prize for 2020, which is described as the “Nobel Prize” in Theology. She received her award from Pope Francis in October 2021.

A new book produced by the Australian Catholic Bishops titled Streams of Light: Easter Messages from Australian Bishops During Lockdown 2020 is a collection of sermons and pastoral letters of the bishops of Australia during the height of the pandemic.

Parish Pastoral Council members from across the Archdiocese have recently gathered for the second of a four-part Parish Renewal program, focussing on prayer, discernment and developing parish pastoral plans.

A group of primary school students from Harvey have been recognised with a Catholic Identity award for primary schools, which is part of the Quality Catholic Education Awards – for bringing the school community together.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital has won the 2021 HESTA Compassion in Action Social Justice Award. The award, run by Catholic Health Australia and sponsored by HESTA, recognises an individual or team who has shown creativity, commitment, and accomplishment in effecting positive social change.

Identitywa’s 2021 Annual Review Night was an opportunity for staff and affiliates to connect, receive progress updates and award staff for their contribution and service to the community.

Catholic Youth Ministry Perth recently embarked on a mini camino with 17 participants on Saturday 23 October. The journey began with a Mass at Our Lady of the Revelation Shrine in Bullsbrook and ended at the newly completed Divine Mercy Church in Chittering – a gruelling 15km track up and down the rolling hills.

The Commissioning of 36 Catechists took place at St Michael the Archangel Chapel, Leederville on Thursday, 4 November, coinciding with the feast day of St Charles Borromeo, patron saint of Catechists.