The Bishops of Western Australia have this month gathered in Perth for the annual Australian Catholic Bishops’ plenary assembly via teleconference because of travel restrictions.

In less than two months, Catholic Social Services WA will hold their first of two national symposiums themed “Walking with His people” to raise awareness around supporting and assisting disadvantaged people in WA. By Amanda Murthy.

There was good reason for Greenwood parishioners to revel during the official blessing of All Saints Catholic Church’s pending parish centre on Sunday, 9 May.

This May, the Archdiocese of Perth’s Catholic Social Services WA will join the rest of the country in honouring the contributions of many dedicated volunteers, especially those who serve within the Catholic Church on National Volunteer Week 2021, beginning with a Mass. A new resource entitled the Volunteer Handbook will be distributed to parishes that week. By Amanda Murthy.

Various Archdiocesan priests had the opportunity to socialise with each other in large numbers after the pandemic season caused many restrictions and cancelled last year’s Clergy Recreation Day. By Matthew Lau.

The community of St Joseph’s School in Northam celebrated 50 years since the amalgamation of two Catholic schools. The occasion was marked with a Mass and blessing of the building by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB. By Amanda Murthy.

The Valuing Children Initiative have last week launched an interactive four-pillar series children’s book series at the Boola Bardip Museum.

Its’ mission - to support children’s literacy and to provide parents and teachers with opportunities to connect and discuss important issues with children. By Amanda Murthy.

Stella Maris Australia, a Catholic agency that provides spiritual and practical support to those working at sea, has joined an international coalition calling for better treatment of seafarers during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has last weekend disarrayed Good Shepherd Sunday and Anzac Day 2021 scheduled celebrations in the Perth and Peel regions because of a State Government implemented snap three-day lockdown. By Matthew Lau.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement acknowledges that there are ethical concerns about the way some of the vaccines have been developed or tested.

That includes the use of cell lines derived from an abortion in the 1970s.

Despite those concerns, the Commission follows the guidance of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in urging people to be vaccinated for their own health, and for the health of the wider community. By Amanda Murthy.

The solemn re-enactment of Jesus’ walk to Mount Calvary by the Maida Vale Parish youth, in a live Stations of a Cross has become an invaluable Lenten pilgrimage and important preparation for Easter for the Saint Francis of Assisi Church community. By Amanda Murthy.

For Identitywa’s Training Nurse, Shad O’Beirne, the decision to register on the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) was not a hard one.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has spoken about the planning and preparation of the upcoming Plenary Council during an address to members of the Catenian Association.

The Identitywa community recently came together for Mass celebrated by Fr Nino Vinciguerra on Saturday 10 April for Easter.

A talented young artist from Maylands, Britt Mikkelson, has won some $25,000, taking out the Acquisitive Prize (sponsored by St John of God Health Care) in this year’s Mandorla Art Awards with a sculptural work representing the volume of homeless people in Australia, 8200 Souls.

The Passion of Christ was celebrated by Christians throughout the world this year on Friday, 2 April. The day which commemorates Jesus’ journey to Calvary and His death on the cross, began with the Stations of Cross, followed by a 3pm service. The Archdiocese of Perth were allowed physical celebrations this year with restrictions on the number of people allowed, despite the pandemic still affecting the country. By Amanda Murthy.

Parishes across the Archdiocese of Perth gathered for the Easter Vigil Masses on Saturday, 3 April and Easter Sunday Masses on Sunday, 4 April at St Mary’s Cathedral, acknowledging the glorious resurrection of Jesus from the dead, conquering sin and death. This event marks the beginning and foundation of Christianity. By Amanda Murthy.

Iona Presentation College’s Dean of Mission and Catholic Identity Gemma Thomson, delivered a presentation on 25 March titled “Towards Plenary 2021 – Discovering a Christ-centred Church that is Humble, Healing and Merciful” at Newman Siena Centre. By Matthew Lau.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB celebrated Maundy Thursday, or the Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday, 1 April 2021 at St Mary’s Cathedral. In his homily, the Perth Archbishop accentuated Jesus Christ’s “perfect love”, as demonstrated in his extraordinary gesture of washing his disciples’ feet. By Matthew Lau.

As the Perth Catholic faithful reconvened for the 2021 Chrism Mass during Holy Week, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB accentuated the indispensable verse of John 3:16 where God sacrificed Jesus for the salvation of humanity. By Matthew Lau.

Palm Sunday of Lent for 2021 has kick-started a multitude of Holy Week and Easter live-streamed services provided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth from St Mary’s Cathedral. By Matthew Lau.

St Kieran Catholic Primary School has last Sunday celebrated 100 years of providing faith-filled education from 1920 to 2020. The school community gathered on 21 March 2021 for a centenary anniversary Mass at Osborne Park, celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB. Rev Dr Joe Parkinson then blessed St Kieran's new school gates and led the congregation into the school grounds for formalities before an afternoon of entertainment. By Matthew Lau.

The Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP) gathered with residents, Archdiocesan priests, and peers to give thanks for 101 years of presence in WA, on Friday, 19 March on the feast of Saint Joseph.

Identitywa has last month signed a collaborative agreement that will result in the construction of six residential homes for Identitywa participants.

The Irish Catholic community of Perth gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral on 17 March to celebrate the Feast of St Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Éire. By Matthew Lau.

The role of women in the Church’s history and now, was celebrated by the Archdiocese of Perth – recognising the endless contributions of those serving within the context of Catholic Churches, parishes, schools, hospitals and religious sisters who play a significant role in living out their vocation, in Australia and around the world. By Amanda Murthy.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has recently taken the time to discuss the upcoming 2021 Plenary Council with ACBC Media & Communications Director Gavin Abraham.

About 50 clergymen and laypeople attended the first PPC consultation meeting, held in Bateman Parish’s function hall on Saturday 6 March.

The Mercedes College community gathered on 9 March to commemorate 175 years since the college was founded by Mercy Sisters on 2 February 1846. The celebrations began with a Mass, followed by a range of art and fun activities throughout the day. By Amanda Murthy.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last week welcomed and supported the conversion journey of 43 catechumens and 35 candidates from various parishes from across the Perth Archdiocese, who seek to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church in 2021.

The Archdiocese of Perth presented ten people with the 2021 BJ Hickey Biblical Foundation scholarship on Friday, 26 February, at Saint Mary's Cathedral. The scholars will use the award to fund their various biblical courses locally, nationally, and online. By Amanda Murthy.

Baldivis Parish is set to hold a five-day Parish Mission from 17 to 21 March at Mother Teresa Church, celebrating Saint Teresa of Calcutta's life and spirit.

The working document for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia has today been released ahead of the first assembly in October.

Applications are closing soon for the Knights Catholic Leadership Academy.

The Academy provides formation and training for aspiring young leaders, impacting more than 60 schools and parishes across the Archdiocese of Perth.

In the Chinese zodiac, Oxen are diligent and methodical – meaning 2021 will be a rewarding year for those who make a considerable effort. By Matthew Lau.