The Identitywa community gathered for their annual Christmas Mass for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and then on Tuesday, 20 January, the Archdiocesan agency also officially opened two new homes to meet the needs of the people they serve. By Amanda Murthy.

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

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.

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.