Banksia Grove parishioners have recently celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of St John Paul II Church with the blessing and opening of a new presbytery, several statues and a rose garden.

It is very characteristic of our Catholic tradition that we honour the saints, look to their lives and witness for inspiration and example, and rely on their prayers in times of need and distress, Archbishop Costelloe has said, speaking at the Mass to honour the relics of St John Bosco at St Mary’s Cathedral.

The relics of three saints were fixed into the altar at the new Church of St John Paul II Banksia Grove, which was dedicated and opened by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Thursday 26 January in the presence of some 1000 people. By Jamie O’Brien.