By John Mulderig With apologies to pulp fiction crime writer Mickey Spillane, the dystopian thriller "Mercy" (Amazon MGM) might more aptly be called AI the Jury. That’s because, in the film’s near-future setting, artificial intelligence is empowered to fight crime by generating a rough sort of justice. As explained in the opening scenes, societal breakdown has led to the establishment of...

Pope Leo XIV catches a cloth doll thrown by a visitor as he rides in the popemobile following his second weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 28 May 2025. Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez. By Cindy Wooden Being religious does not automatically mean someone is compassionate, and yet for a Christian, compassion is a clear sign of following Christ, Pope Leo XIV said. "Befo...

“Let us never forget that God does not act in the daily lives of people through shocking acts, but in a silent, discreet, simple way, so as to manifest himself through people who become a sacrament of his presence. And you are a sacrament of God’s presence,” – Pope Francis

Speaking to parishioners at the Ellenbrook Parish St Helena’s Church, Archbishop Costelloe reflected on the parable of the prodigal son from Luke’s gospel.

“While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the Inn” (Lk.2:6-7).

This year, as our Catholic community celebrates the wonderful feast of Christmas with the rest of our society, we do so at the very beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis. This special year began on December 8 and will conclude next year on the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 20, 2016.