Bishop Sproxton tells catechists to help children know Jesus is with them

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton told new catechists that their role is to help children understand that Jesus is with them. He spoke during the 2026 Catechist Services Commissioning Mass held on Tuesday, October 20, at St Michael the Archangel Chapel in West Leederville.

More than 30 catechists from parishes across the Archdiocese of Perth were commissioned for ministry. The service also recognized staff and catechists from the Personal Advocacy Service, who used sacred gestures to demonstrate how the Gospel can be shared with people with intellectual disabilities. The mass marked the final commissioning service for Dr. Pina Ford, who served as the Team Leader for Catechist Services for 25 years.

In his homily, Bishop Sproxton referenced Pope Leo XIV’s address to catechists in Rome for the Jubilee. He noted that love transforms people by opening their hearts to the Word of God and to their neighbors. The bishop also discussed how catechists support families as children grow from childhood into adolescence and through later stages of life.