Hundreds of men and women belonging to religious orders attended the Mass for the celebration of Candlemas — the feast of the Presentation of the Lord — which also marks the Vatican celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life on 2 February at the Vatican.

The Archdiocese of Perth has released a book titled St Mary’s Cathedral ‘A History in Photographs’ in celebration of their rich history and culture since 1865.

Nollamara Parishioner, Philip Lako, caught up with The eRecord’s editor, Mr Jamie O’ Brien, to discuss the launch of his new book 10-Year-Old Man, his story as a 10 year old child soldier in Southern Sudan, forced to fight a decade long war at the hands of the rebels.

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.

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.

Father Michael Boudaher was ordained a Maronite priest on 18 December 2021 at Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Thornbury, Melbourne. Mass celebrant Eparch of the Eparchy of Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay said ‘’priests becomes the bridge between humanity and the Divine.”

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.