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.

Praedicate Evangelium, meaning Preach the Gospel, has recently been promulgated by Pope Francis, Saturday 19 March. Merging some congregations and pontifical councils and raising the status of others – particularly the charitable office of the papal almoner – Pope Francis said he hoped the constitution would ensure that the offices of the Vatican fulfill their mission in helping promote the church as a community of missionary disciples, sharing the Gospel and caring for all those in need.

Praying before a statue of Mary that was loaned by the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at San Vittoriano on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis pleaded with Mary to “accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end, and peace spread throughout the world.”

In the text of the Holy Father’s prayer sent to chanceries around the globe so that bishops can join Pope Francis on Friday March 25, a key passage for many observers reads: “Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine.”

Pope Francis has confirmed he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penitential prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica on 25 March, the Vatican said. By Catholic News Service.

True happiness and true freedom, he said, “are not found in possessing, but in sharing; not in taking advantage of others, but in loving them; not in the obsession of power, but in the joy of service,” said Pope Francis on 6 March, during his Sunday Angelus address. By Junno Arocho Esteves.

Perth Ukrainian Parish Priest Fr Ihor Hovoloko has this week spoken of the deep sadness of his people and the horror which is being visited upon them and asked for continued prayers, not only for the end of the war, but for the restoration of peace.

Father Ihor joined Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB at St Mary‘s Cathedral for the Ash Wednesday Mass, on 2 March, marking the beginning of the season of Lent.

Speaking during his weekly general audience, Wednesday 26 January, Pope Francis has said that parents, in particular, often must grapple with situations or problems that are out of their control, such as when their child is sick or has a chronic illness. “How much pain is there!”.

American Archbishop Charles Balvo, a veteran of the Vatican’s diplomatic service for more than 30 years, will assume the role of Apostolic Nuncio to Australia. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference President Archbishop Coleridge said Archbishop Balvo “comes to us at a complex and challenging time in the Church and in Australia.

“What is Christmas? Is it a tree? A statue of a baby with a woman and a man nearby? Yes, it is Jesus, the birth of Jesus,” he said, so “stop for a bit and think of Christmas as a message, a message of peace.”