The Catholic Church in Australia is dedicating the month of November as a time to pray for those affected by crippling drought conditions and to pray for the gift of rain.

Musicians from across the country have recently come together to Listen to the Spirit and Sing.

The Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv said his experiences as a refugee fleeing his country Vietnam in 1979 to escape the war, shaped and enabled him to connect with the Catholic community of today on a deeper level and in a more empathetic way.

More than 80 deacons, candidates, aspirants and wives attended the fifth biennial Australian National Association of Deacons (NAD) Conference from 3 to 6 October at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle Campus.

In a letter to parishes throughout Australia in preparation for World Mental Health Day (October 10), a hope-filled Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton cited that the challenge of the Church remains for parishes to create opportunities for people who are not used to addressing issues around mental health and their fears – without undermining and invalidating people with mental health issues.

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Anthony Randazzo the fourth Bishop of Broken Bay, a diocese that covers much of Sydney’s North Shore and the New South Wales Central Coast.

Redemptorist publication The Majellan has recently launched a new podcast series focussed on family.

The Record has been awarded bronze in two categories at the recent Australasian Religious Press Associations awards.

Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic cleric to be convicted of child sexual abuse offenses, has this week lodged an application with the High Court to appeal his guilty verdict.

If the Berejiklian government fails to prevent sex-selection abortions, infanticide on demand or to guarantee the conscience rights of healthcare professionals it faces serious political consequences, numerous speakers warned a massive prolife rally in Hyde Park on Sunday last week.