When God opened an opportunity for Sally Paice to be baptised in high school, the then teenager refused.

For an agency that operates by connecting with people – visiting, delivering meals, providing transport – the restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic have meant that coordinators of Catholic Outreach Parish Care programs have had to reconsider the delivery of their services.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB says the six discernment papers for the fifth Plenary Council of Australia signify the latest milestone as the Church considers its present circumstances and discerns its future.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB says the six discernment papers for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia signify the latest milestone as the Church considers its present circumstances and discerns its future.

Singing, that joyful release of the emotion overflowing from a soul just bursting with praise, is probably one of the furthest things from most people’s minds as they came to grips with COVID-19, yet for Father Michael Joncas, the need for praise and worship during this time seemed vital.

As restrictions lifted to 20-people gatherings from Monday 18 May, Catholics across the Archdiocese eagerly awaited the return of the Mass.

The Solemnity of the Ascension, celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB on 24 May, served as “a great reminder of the precious gift of life and the reward of eternal life, offered by Jesus to His people”.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has encouraged Perth Catholics across the Archdiocese to bravely follow the Lord’s commandments and welcome the gifts of the Holy Spirit during the Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect Australians’ lives, including their worship, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will this weekend join with with Bishops from across Australia in entrusting the country to the care of Mary Help of Christians on her feast day.

The two assemblies for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia will now take place in October 2021 and April 2022, following the disruption of the original schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Homelessness has become a far more apparent issue during COVID-19: the virus has amplified existing issues and vulnerabilities and Daydawn Advocacy Centre, the Catholic agency that advocates in the area of indigenous housing, reports that the pandemic has resulted in an upsurge in demand for their services, especially in the area of temporary accommodation.

More than 100 young adults are this weekend expected to virtually attend the Sacramentum conference, organised by Catholic Youth Ministry Perth (CYM). However, this time, from their homes, and at no cost.

St Mary’s Cathedral parish has made their piety stall accessible online, allowing for Catholics across the Archdiocese to shop remotely.

Social distancing making the traditional classroom an operational hazard has been both an opportunity and a challenge for Archdiocesan agency, Centacare Employment and Training.

Persevering in faith and striving to achieve the perfect love found in Jesus, was at the heart of Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB’s message during Sunday Mass on 10 May, marking a Mother’s Day celebration “like no other”, with restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic gradually easing for the state.

Remembered fondly by the Western Australian community as a war chaplain and hero, former Cottesloe Parish Priest, the late Father John Fahey DSO, will always be saluted for his huge contributions to Western Australia, especially on occasions such as Anzac Day.  

The importance of good leadership through the perfect example of Christ, was highlighted by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton at the 11am Good Shepherd Sunday Mass, marking the sixth week that Perth Catholics tuned into the online Mass due to COVID-19 restrictions still in place.

IdentityWA is a household name in West Australian disability services, with the Catholic agency a beacon of compassion and quality care for some of Perth’s most disadvantaged people, those living with physical or mental disabilities that prevent them from participating independently in society.

St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) will hold the first national online sleepout event, inviting business and community leaders across the country to participate on 18 June.  

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last weekend reminded Catholics across the Archdiocese that Jesus is present “in these strange times we are living” during the Mass for Third Sunday of Easter.

The effects on an on-going pandemic, means tough times for everyone.

Perth Catholics were last weekend reminded of the immense compassion and mercy of God during the Mass for the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday.

Despite churches across the city being closed, the Centre for Faith Enrichment (CFE) remains operational in an online teaching capacity, providing a unique opportunity for Catholics to use this quarantine time to build their faith through education and understanding.

Thousands of Perth Catholics have this year honoured the life and death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday by virtually attending the celebration of the Passion of the Lord, streamed live from St Mary’s Cathedral on 10 April.

The reality of the COVID–19 crisis crashed home for Perth Catholics at this, the holiest time of the year, with Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB celebrating the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass in front of an empty St Mary’s Cathedral for the first time in living history.

This year’s Holy Thursday Mass, broadcast live from an empty St Mary’s Cathedral on Thursday 9 April, provided Perth Catholics with the opportunity and time, now more than ever, to reflect on the question by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB: “What it is God is asking of us in Australia at this time?”

Now, more than ever, in our uncertain and challenging times, a strong sense of community is critical and Award-winning Adelaide documentary maker, Lara Damiani, will release her documentary that tells the story of a community in Perth that’s changing lives.

Easter Sunday is God’s answer to the despair Jesus’ first disciples faced and it is God’s answer to the deafening silence and distressing void which fills our lives now, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has said in his 2020 Easter message.

More than 40 Australian agencies united on Palm Sunday, 5 April to host a two-hour online event championing justice and dignity for refugees and people seeking asylum. The theme for this year’s event was “For a Just Future”.

Plenary Council President Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said that in in response to the dramatic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the bishops of Australia have made the “difficult, but necessary” decision to postpone the first assembly of the Plenary Council.

Archbishop Costelloe has last weekend reminded Perth Catholics to draw near to the Cross amid the crisis and sufferings caused by the coronavirus pandemic during his homily for Palm Sunday.

Holy Week 2020 has arrived amidst the challenges caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Plenary Council lay Perth delegates Marco Ceccarelli and Angela McCarthy express their sentiments on being elected as Perth representatives, as they look forward to their involvement in the upcoming Plenary Council Assemblies in October 2020 and May 2021.

Pope Francis has last month appointed the Most Rev Patrick O’Regan, formerly Bishop of Sale in Victoria, as the 12th Archbishop of Adelaide.

Daily Mass has commenced being streamed by the Archdiocese of Perth. The Masses, which will be celebrated by priests of St Mary’s Cathedral, will be streamed daily at 12.10pm to the Archdiocesan website, YouTube and Facebook, as well as St Mary’s Cathedral website.