Christmas celebrations at Ocean Reef parish commenced with a well-rehearsed Nativity Play, enthusiastically presented by younger members of the Parish.

St Mary’s Cathedral has completed a pathway project, which included a surprise dedication to Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, who celebrates his tenth anniversary of his appointment as Archbishop of Perth on 20 February.

Perth’s Filipino community came together this Christmas for Simbang Gabi, the traditional nine-day Advent novena celebrated in the Philippines. They were joined by Archbishop Costelloe SDB at Good Shepherd Parish, Lockridge, on Thursday, 16 December, for the first of the ‘Night Masses’ to honor and exalt the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Catholic Church.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB last week spoke with 6PR Radio host Liam Barlett answering several questions about the Catholic community and the various challenges posed by the pandemic over the past two years. By Amanda Murthy.

Mercy Health representative say they are extremely fortunate to have so many committed team members that are only too happy to go the extra mile to care for their residents and also help to inject a little Christmas spirit into their day.
Annette Tunhla and Perli Dizonare just two of the team members who forfeited Christmas Day with their families to help care for the dozens of residents at local not-for-profit aged care home Mercy Place Lathlain.

Staff and students at St Norbert College spent part of their year-end holidays bringing joy to Emmaus community residence for people living with mental illness. Seaton Catholic College practised their annual tradition with each student from Years 7 to 11 contributing the St Vinnies Christmas Hampers.

MercyCare clients who have come to Australia as refugees or asylum seekers from countries like Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia, Burma/Myanmar, Iran and Afghanistan have gained a new job opportunity – thanks to local social enterprise group LOOP, which partners with large companies like Water Corp and Clough to repurpose used corporate uniforms by engaging people from disadvantaged backgrounds and providing them with the opportunity to gain employment and skills training.

Perth’s annual youth conference Embrace the Grace held from the 8 to 12 December 2021 was inspired by the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, called Amoris Laeticia, inspired the theme of “Real Love”, where young people were invited to rejoice in the joy of love in the family. By Nessya Santoso.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reminded us this Christmas that the cultural ‘joy’ of the festive season does not always match the reality of the situation experienced by many, and that God’s hospitality is not given to those whose hearts are already too full to make room for Him.

For 7.6 million Australians, Christmas is the most stressful time of year – an experience that they share with Mary and Joseph, living through the myriad challenges of the first Christmas.

Let the Children Be Heard: A Christmas Reflection on Modern Slavery, an event by Catholic Mission, was an inspiring evening of readings and music at St Michael the Archangel Chapel, Leederville, which raised over $17,000 in support of the Kindergarten Centre of the Good Shepherd Sisters at the Fatima Training Centre (FTC) in Bangkok – for the children of women who are vulnerable to modern slavery in all its guises.