This year Catholic Mission is thrilled to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and the beatification of its founder, Pauline Jaricot who, as a young, faith-filled woman that desired to support missionaries around the world, founded the Society in 1822.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has recalled the phone call he received in December 2001 to appoint him as a Bishop. The then Mirrabooka Parish Priest had just returned home when he took the call from Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Francesco Canalini.

“I remember the Nuncio saying to me, ‘I can understand you would be surprised and perhaps a little fearful, as we [fellow bishops] all have been ourselves.

“’The Lord will help you and give you what you need,’ were his exact words.”

The Eparch for the Ukrainian Catholic Church Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR and Perth Ukrainian Catholic Parish Priest Father Ihor Holovko joined Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton for Divine Liturgy on Sunday 27 March, two days after Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine “to the Immaculate heart of our all-Holy Lady”. By Amanda Murthy.

The gift of life was celebrated on the feast of the Annunciation as Catholics gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral Perth on 26 March to observe the Day of the Unborn Child. By Lissette Jas, Pregnancy Assistance Inc. By Lisette Jas.

West Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office are holding a seven-session seminar on Cultural Competency, with the aim of helping Archdiocesan parishes become genuinely welcoming of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) newcomers.

Ukrainian Catholic Church Eparch Bishop Mykola Bychok CSsR will join Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB this Sunday 27 March for Divine Liturgy to join in prayer for those suffering and affected by the war in the Ukraine.

Archbishop Costelloe has this week also released a video of making an Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in communion with Pope Francis.

Ex-combatant Rosalie joined a Saving and Internal Lending Community group (SILC), which helped her with a loan to start her own small business selling second-hand shoes and natural remedies. She has now become the SILC group’s president, helping other women to start their own businesses, thanks to Caritas.

Communication does not take place if listening has not taken place, and there is no good journalism without the ability to listen, Pope Francis has said in his message for World Communications Day.

Ben Affleck plays Louisiana tech whiz Vic Van Allen in Director Adrian Lyne’s edgy psychological drama Deep Water (Hulu).

In order to help people encounter Jesus, priests “need to listen to the Spirit together with the whole people of God, so as to renew our faith and find new ways and languages to share the Gospel with our brothers and sisters,” Secretary-General of the Synod of the Bishops, Cardinal Mario Grech and Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy, Archbishop Lazarus You Heung-sik have written, in a letter to priests and clergy released 19 March. By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service.