The Church in Oceania

Fr. Frank Brennan noted the recent pilgrimage of relics for the newly canonized Carlo Acutis during his homily for the Solemnity of All Saints. The four month pilgrimage concluded recently at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, where families and young people gathered to honor the saint.

Acutis died in 2006 at age 15 and was canonized last year. He was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and for using computer skills to promote Catholic devotions.

In his first canonization mass, Pope Leo XIV observed that saints are often portrayed as larger than life figures, noting that their sanctity begins when they give themselves completely to God while young. The Pope also referenced Acutis's own words regarding the Eucharist.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, marked 40 years of priesthood by celebrating Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 25 October 2026.

During his homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Archbishop Costelloe said that loving as Jesus loved is the key to Christian discipleship. He stated that loving God and others allows people to release the burdens of selfishness, isolation, and loneliness. He noted that the presence of the congregation at Mass serves as a sign of their desire to remain faithful to God despite personal challenges or wavering faith.

Archbishop Costelloe was ordained on 25 October 1986, by Melbourne Archbishop Sir Frank Little. This followed his final profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco the previous year.

Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council met last week at the Salvatorian Spirituality Centre for their second meeting to continue the Archdiocese's transition toward a synodal Church. Dr. Debra Sayce, chief of mission enhancement and outreach, stated the gathering focused on prayer, reflection, and discernment.

Perth Auxiliary Bishop Nelson Po led the opening prayer, using Ephesians 4:7-16 to remind participants that Christ provides different gifts to build up the Church. Bishop Po encouraged members to use their baptismal callings to serve communion, mission, and evangelization.

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, SDB, addressed the council regarding his recent visit to Rome for discussions marking the tenth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia. He described how those meetings utilized a synodal style, bringing together bishops, cardinals, priests, religious, and lay people in small groups. Archbishop Costelloe noted that these discussions employed the Conversations in the Spirit methodology. He emphasized that all discernment within the Church must be grounded in the Word of God and guided by the Holy Spirit, following the scriptural motto from Psalm 119:105.

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.

Catholic school leaders and teachers from Australia recently completed a week-long pilgrimage to Ireland through the inaugural Borromeo’s Way program. The trip, which followed two years of planning, was coordinated by the University of Notre Dame Australia and the Catholic Institute of Western Australia.

The group included 11 participants who traveled as part of their Master of Education studies or through a new micro-credential pathway offered by the two institutions. Dr. John Topliss, managing director of the Catholic Institute of Western Australia and program coordinator for religious education at the University of Notre Dame Australia, led the group alongside spiritual director Sr. Catherine Warner PBVM.

The program focused on Christian formation, scripture, papal documents, and evangelization planning for Catholic schools. Participants explored monastic heritage and the charisms of religious orders, such as the Benedictines, while examining the shared history between Irish and Australian Catholic education. Many of the educators represented Catholic Education Western Australia schools.

Pope Leo XIV addressed the impact of technological progress on work, justice, and the common good in the final part of a reflection on his encyclical. The Pope noted that job insecurity and economic uncertainty caused by technological shifts are current realities rather than future possibilities.

The encyclical suggests that Church institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and social agencies, should prioritize human dignity and care over efficiency and profit. Pope Leo XIV also questioned economic metrics like Gross Domestic Product, stating that productivity and growth alone do not indicate whether people are flourishing. He noted that a society can increase its wealth while becoming more divided or isolated. According to the Pope, true progress must include human development, environmental responsibility, and shared wellbeing.

Rev. Prof. Eamon Conway noted that different perspectives remain regarding Communion for Catholics who are divorced and civilly remarried. Writing for The Record, Conway suggested that some disagreements stem from an incomplete understanding of the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, even following magisterial clarifications in 2023.

Conway stated that a general prohibition on receiving Communion is easier to manage than the pastoral work of helping individuals reach mature judgment. He argued that pastoral conversion requires the Church to form consciences through listening, prayer, and reflection rather than replacing individual conscience. He noted that those performing this work require proper formation and the maturity to guide others without usurping their responsibility.

The professor also highlighted the need to support young people who attempt to live their faith and prepare for Christian marriage despite cultural pressures. He shared an example of a couple preparing for marriage in November who requested to study Amoris Laetitia chapter by chapter over the past year.

St. Thomas More College held a Valedictory Mass to honor residents departing the college. The Aquinas College Schola Cantorum provided music for the liturgy, with students rehearsing after school to perform for the community.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the college presented graduating residents with crucifixes. The college expressed thanks to the staff and students of the Aquinas College Schola Cantorum for their participation in the celebration.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital has begun foundation works on a new six-storey clinical building. The construction marks the start of Stage Three of the hospital's redevelopment project.

The new facility is intended to increase access to specialized care and expand surgical capacity. Planned features include a dedicated Heart Centre, an expanded orthopaedic surgical area, four integrated operating theatres, a Day of Surgery Admissions area, and a new chapel.

Daniel Price, the hospital's director of redevelopment, stated that the project follows planning and enabling works that began in 2018 and 2021. A groundbreaking ceremony included a formal sod-turning and a traditional Smoking Ceremony led by Theo Kearing. Representatives from the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cambridge attended the event.

New legislation in NSW has approved human composting, also known as natural organic reduction or terramation, as an option alongside burial and cremation. The process involves placing a body in a vessel with plant materials like sawdust, mulch, or straw to accelerate decomposition into soil.

Professor Clare Johnson, director of the Centre for Liturgy at Australian Catholic University, noted that the practice raises questions for Catholics regarding the treatment of the body and the fate of decomposed remains. Catholic funeral traditions treat the body with respect as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Burial in a sacred place also provides a location for families to gather for prayer and serves as a sign of hope in the resurrection of the body.

While the Vatican has stated that resurrection is possible even if a body is not physically intact, the specific rules for governing the process and the placement of remains in NSW are still being developed. Catholic cemeteries are currently awaiting guidance from the Church regarding this practice.

Sister Jan Tranter, a Sister of St Joseph from Lochinvar, has published a book titled Julian Tenison Woods: The Human Journey – Priest, Founder, Friend. The work compiles 35 years of her research and reflection on the life of Father Julian Tenison Woods.

Father Woods was a priest, missionary, educator, and natural scientist who co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph with Saint Mary MacKillop. The book examines his character, his faith, and the friendships and hardships he experienced.

The publication has prompted a special exhibition at the Diocesan Resource Centre of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. This exhibition includes historical materials, books, photographs, and geological specimens.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council unanimously recommended on 27 October that the state government include a Christian chapel in the new $2 billion Bankstown Hospital. Deputy Mayor Rachelle Harika drafted the motion, which seeks to replicate the existing facilities at the current Bankstown Hospital by providing a Christian chapel and two separate prayer rooms at the new site.

The proposal follows two petitions on change.org that gathered nearly 10,000 signatures. One petitioner stated that the absence of a dedicated Christian space would create logistical difficulties for the area's multi-faith community, as people of various creeds would be forced to share limited multi-faith spaces. The petitioner argued that the Christian population of Canterbury-Bankstown requires a specific space for prayer and worship.

The new 14-storey teaching hospital is being built on Chapel Road at a former TAFE site. The Canterbury-Bankstown local government area is one of the most religious and diverse in Australia, with approximately 75 percent of the population professing a religion. This includes 42 percent who are Christian and 24 percent who are Muslim.

The Fiji Bati rugby team uses a Christian hymn to prepare for matches during the World Cup. Before competing, the players gather to sing Noqu Masu, a hymn that directs their attention toward God rather than their opponents.

Anthony Eltarraf of The Catholic Weekly noted that while other Pacific nations such as New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands use traditional cultural dances like the Haka or Sipi Tau to face their opposition, the Fijian practice focuses on the source of their competitive gifts. Eltarraf observed that this prayer did not diminish the team's intensity, noting their competitive 36-22 loss to Australia.

Eltarraf compared this focus to the approach of St. Paul, who identified himself by his mission as an apostle of Christ Jesus rather than by his persecutions or circumstances.

Bishop Paolo Martinelli spoke about the writings of Saint Francis of Assisi during a gathering in Abu Dhabi on October 19. The event marked the 800th anniversary of the death of the Italian saint.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia organized the gathering at the Italian Cultural Institute alongside the Italian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates. Approximately 50 people attended the event, which took place during the Week of the Italian Language in the World. Italy’s Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, opened the evening.

Bishop Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, described the writings of Saint Francis, including his rules, letters, and prayers, as brief but profound. He noted that these texts allow readers to understand the life of the saint and the religious order he founded. The Bishop specifically mentioned the Canticle of Brother Sun as a significant work in Italian literature that expresses the saint's connection to creation. The program included reflections on Franciscan spirituality, interreligious dialogue, literature, and sustainable art.

Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, met with Bishop Vincent Long of Parramatta during a mid-October visit to Australia. The meeting in Sydney focused on how the local Church implements the global mission of Caritas within dioceses, schools, and communities.

During the discussion, the two men examined how the Diocese of Parramatta addresses poverty, inequality, and justice through its Faith in Action approach in the religious education curriculum. Caritas Australia has partnered with Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese to create curriculum units that link this approach to Project Compassion and the BIG Water Walk.

Mr. Dutton's visit to Canberra and Sydney included meetings with Church leaders, Caritas Australia staff, parliamentarians, and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His visit addressed the changing global aid landscape and the role of trusted local institutions as humanitarian needs increase and international cooperation faces pressure.

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv installed Father Jack Elkazzi as the parish priest of St. Thomas Aquinas in Springwood on Sunday, 25 October.

The appointment marks the first time the parish has had a dedicated parish priest in many years. Previously, pastoral leadership was shared with the neighboring Lawson parish, and the community had been served by administrators, including Father Chris del Rosario and Father Elkazzi, who arrived as administrator in June 2025.

During the ceremony at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Bishop Long described the occasion as an opportunity to begin a promising new chapter for the parish.

Pope Paul VI stated that the Church must do more than preserve and defend the truths and graces inherited through Christian tradition. In his document Ecclesiam Suam, the late pope wrote that the nature of the gifts Christ gave the Church requires them to be shared and extended to others.

Fr. John Flader explained the necessity of Mass attendance in a question and answer published by The Catholic Weekly.

Flader stated that the Mass is the primary way the Church offers worship to God. He said the liturgy makes the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross present, through which Christ redeemed humanity from original and personal sin. Flader noted that Christ commanded the apostles to continue this sacrifice by instituting the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

The priest described the Mass as the principal act of the Church's official public worship. He said the Mass is necessary because God is the supreme being and the cause of all existence. Flader added that without God, humanity would lack faith, hope, love, and the certainty of an eternal calling.

Staff of DOBCEL participated in a formation program on September 30 and October 1 focused on the theme "Walking Paths of Peace Together."

Bishop Mark Freeman delivered the opening keynote, where he encouraged participants to practice a culture of encounter. He urged staff to listen to others with compassion and solidarity, particularly those with different life experiences. The program addressed how to live the Gospel during times of social division.

The workshops were based on the 2026 Bishops’ Social Justice Statement. The sessions encouraged staff to act as builders of peace within their schools, workplaces, and local communities.

Approximately 600 pilgrims walked from Ballarat to Bendigo for the annual Christus Rex Pilgrimage. Held over the last weekend in October to honor the feast of Christ the King, the event follows the 1962 Tridentine calendar.

Now in its 36th year, the pilgrimage is described as the first known Traditional Catholic pilgrimage in Australia. Participants stayed in parish halls during the journey.

Bishop Mark Freeman is encouraging members of the Diocese of Ballarat to enroll in a 2027 leadership formation program focused on synodality. The program, titled "Identity and Mission in the Synodal Church," will be held in partnership with Catholic Theological College.

The initiative follows a pilot program that enrolled 20 participants and stems from themes identified during the Ballarat Diocesan Assembly in late 2024. The upcoming phase is supported by a bursary from the Therese D’Orsa Mission Fund. Participants will study the theological, ecclesiological, and cultural frameworks that inform leadership and mission within Catholic communities.

The curriculum consists of three interconnected sessions designed to help participants develop a synodal praxis project for their specific parish, school, ministry, or diocesan setting. The first session is scheduled for December 5, 2026, to establish the cohort's purpose and introduce the theological foundations of the course.

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) Aquinas campus in Ballarat celebrated 35 years of operation on October 25. Alumni, staff, students, and community partners gathered at the campus to recognize its history and its role in regional education.

The campus has a history of teacher education in Ballarat dating back to 1909, when the Sisters of Mercy founded the Aquinas Training College. While the campus remains a center for teacher formation, it has expanded to include professional training in fields such as paramedicine, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.

The celebration included recognition of the partnerships between the university and local schools, including the Diocesan Catholic Education Ballarat (DOBCEL), which employs many ACU alumni.

More than 500 youths from various parishes in the Madang Archdiocese participated in a Marian Motorcade on Friday, 23rd of October.

The procession featured a statue of the Blessed Mother followed by trucks carrying youth from different parishes who sang songs of praise. The motorcade began at Alexishafen and included stops at 4 stations/alters along the route.

Jessica Meney serves as the director of Birdflip, a movement campaigning to change abortion laws in Australia. Established in February 2025 by law professor Joanna Howe, the group seeks to recruit and train young Australians to oppose abortion.

Birdflip produces podcasts, social media videos, and street interviews to build a network of advocates for use in churches, communities, and other organizations. The group uses social media to reach young people, despite recent media criticism regarding its street interview strategy.

Abortion is currently legal in every Australian state and territory, though specific regulations vary. Birdflip describes its mission as reacting against narratives that frame abortion as empowering or necessary, instead characterizing the practice as the termination of human life.

Pope Leo XIV stated that the teachings of St. John Henry Newman offer the Church and the world a hope that resists pessimism and fear. The Pope's comments coincided with the October feast day of the Doctor of the Church and author of the hymn Lead, Kindly Light.

Pope Leo XIV noted that the core of the educational journey involves real people rather than abstract individuals. He said the Church is called to form people so they may live with full dignity. The Pope's remarks addressed contemporary concerns regarding the depersonalization of education and the removal of moral and pastoral formation from curricula in favor of pragmatism and utility.

A contributor for Catholic Outlook noted that current liturgical books do not provide specific rubrics for gestures toward those not receiving the Eucharist during Communion.

Writing from the perspective of a concelebrant at Sunday Mass at Mission Basilica, the author observed children who have not yet made their First Communion standing with arms crossed to receive a blessing. The author noted that the General Instruction describes the Communion procession in terms of communicants, leaving the treatment of catechumens, visitors from other faiths, or those with no faith present without explicit instruction in the liturgical books.

Ambrose Early Learning provides a pre-kindergarten program called Ambrose Foundations to prepare children aged three to five for kindergarten. The program uses the Early Years Learning Framework to develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills through play-based learning, inquiry, and investigation.

The curriculum includes instruction in language, literacy, mathematics, creative arts, and movement. It also incorporates social development and faith and spiritual wellbeing. Temika Yendun, director of Ambrose Early Learning Our Lady Queen of Peace, stated that children engage in real-world experiences, such as a bake sale, to practice cooking, math, and communication.

The Baby Box Ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara accompanied ten mothers through crisis pregnancies between July 1 and October 13, 2026. The ministry is an apostolate of the Child Protection Office within the archdiocese in the Solomon Islands.

Leotina Akwai, the Child Protection Coordinator for the archdiocese, stated that all ten mothers gave birth following pastoral accompaniment and counseling. The mothers and their families welcomed the children.

Archaeological evidence from a 70,000-year-old Neanderthal remains in northern Iraq suggests that early human ancestors practiced care for the vulnerable.

Michael Cook reports that British scientists examined the remains of an individual known as Shanidar A. While the remains show a severe injury to the shoulder that likely punctured a lung and severed arteries, the bones also indicate the individual survived long enough to deal with smashed teeth. These dental injuries would have caused significant pain and made eating and speaking difficult.

The presence of these injuries suggests that members of the group provided care for an individual who could no longer hunt or defend themselves. This contradicts older scientific views that primitive societies valued only physical fitness and viewed the vulnerable as a burden to hunter-gatherer groups.

Nine seminarians graduated from Holy Name of Mary Seminary in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Eight of the graduates received bachelor's degrees, while one received a diploma. The ceremony included Archbishop Christopher Cardone, OP, and several attending priests. The graduates are continuing their preparation for priestly ministry within the Catholic Church in the Solomon Islands.

Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv will ordain three Holy Spirit seminarians to the priesthood on 24 November 2026 in the Diocese of Parramatta. The ordination ceremony will take place on the Memorial of Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc and Companions.

The candidates for ordination are Deacons Paul Tran, Jeff Hood, and Luke Huynh. Deacon Paul Tran completed five years of seminary formation in Vietnam and seven years in Australia. Deacon Jeff Hood previously worked as a psychologist, psychotherapist, spiritual director, and pastoral supervisor before joining the Holy Spirit Seminary in 2023. Deacon Luke Huynh also joins the priesthood following his formation at the seminary.

Kate Cleary describes the gifts of the Holy Spirit as expressions of God's provident care and sanctification. In an article for The Catholic Weekly, Cleary explains that these gifts form a spiritual ecosystem that draws people toward God through an ascending order of grace.

The gifts include fear of the Lord, which Cleary defines as a reverence that avoids offending God due to the seriousness of the relationship with him. This is followed by piety, which allows for approaching God with filial affection. Knowledge serves to help people judge created things in the light of God and distinguish what leads toward him from what draws people away. Finally, fortitude provides the strength to remain faithful and courageous when practicing goodness is difficult.

The Diocese of Fort Worth issued norms in October 2026 restricting the distribution of the Precious Blood to the faithful. These regulations limit Communion under both kinds to particular occasions and withhold the chalice during ordinary Sunday Masses.

The bishop of the diocese holds the canonical authority to regulate public worship and the distribution of the Eucharist. According to a report from Catholic Outlook, the bishops issued these norms after consultation to ensure reverence toward the Eucharist. The new restrictions are binding for the local Church.

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe told participants at the International Congress for Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities that engaging the imagination of young people in the digital age requires inviting them to ask questions, be adventurous, and pay attention to others.

Speaking during a session titled “Human Digital” at the Vatican on Friday, October 23, Radcliffe addressed the tension between the desire for security and the longing for adventure. He noted that while the digital era has contributed to anxiety among young people, the human heart continues to seek the risk of loving and the experience of adventure.

Radcliffe suggested that the Church can inspire youth by providing both a safe home and an invitation to take risks. He stated that this form of love is based on acute attention to other people. The congress was organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Sonia Abi has served as a catechist coordinator for her parish for 12 years, following 30 years of teaching Scripture in local public schools.

Abi began her ministry after her children brought home incorrect information regarding the faith from school. She sought out her local catechist coordinator after her priest provided a contact. She decided to accept the role based on the biblical command to preach.

Abi noted that her decision to serve was influenced by the fact that the command to preach did not include a requirement for payment. She and her family support themselves on a single income through a simple lifestyle.

Bishop Paul Bird, CSsR, attended a peace summit hosted by the St Kilda local council on Sunday, October 11. The event took place at the St Kilda Town Hall and was organized by a group called Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light.

The group, which originated in South Korea, describes itself as an international non-governmental organization dedicated to global peace and the end of war. Bishop Bird noted that the group has faced criticism regarding potential links to a South Korean church with unorthodox teachings. He attended the gathering to observe the proceedings and the group's focus on peace.

The summit brought together members of local and state governments, community organizations, youth groups, women's groups, religious associations, and educators. The program included a welcome from a local Aboriginal Elder and the Mayor of the City of Port Phillip. Bishop Bird observed that the gathering included people from diverse backgrounds discussing ways to foster peace at both local and international levels.

Commission secretaries met Tuesday, October 27, at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands headquarters in Port Moresby.

The meeting brought together departmental leaders and General Secretary Father Lawrence Arockiaraj. The participants met to align pastoral strategies and improve collaboration between different commissions.

The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) Association of the Kerema Diocese held a three-day pilgrimage at St. Vincent de Paul Terapo Parish. More than 100 members from Moripi and Terapo parishes in the East Deanery attended the gathering.

The association organized the event to raise funds to purchase a new statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for the Kerema Diocese.

Bishop Mark Edwards, OMI, ordained Saxon Onions to the priesthood on Saturday, October 24.

The Diocese of Wagga Wagga reported the ordination took place as part of the Sacred Order of the Priesthood. Father Onions will now begin his priestly ministry.

Dr. Philippa Martyr addressed the risks of Catholic celebrity culture and parasocial relationships in a column for The Catholic Weekly. She noted that a bishop in the United States recently instructed a priest serving as an exorcist to withdraw from public engagements for one year.

Martyr expressed concern that online fame and media cycles can negatively affect clergy and their followers. She observed that some supporters focus on spreading news about specific Catholic personalities rather than the Gospel. This tendency toward personality cults can distract from a person's primary relationship with God.

Dr. Philippa Martyr questioned the utility of the findings in the report Absent from the Table, noting that the survey participants do not accurately represent the Australian Catholic population.

The study surveyed just under 2,000 people who do not attend Mass. Martyr noted several demographic discrepancies between the participants and the broader Church. While 30 percent of Australian Catholics live in Victoria, only 10 percent of the study participants were from that state. Additionally, 69 percent of participants were female, compared to 53 percent of the Catholic population according to the 2021 Census.

The report's participants also differed in education and occupation. Martyr stated that 71 percent of those surveyed held university degrees, whereas approximately 25 percent of Australian Catholics do. Furthermore, 48 percent of participants worked in professional occupations, compared to 37 percent of the general Catholic population. Martyr concluded that the study primarily reflects the opinions of white, middle-class, highly educated women aged 40 to 60.

Francine and Byron Pirola suggest that the upcoming feasts of All Saints on November 1 and All Souls on November 2 serve as an invitation to practice memento mori, or remembering one's death. They write that contemplating death is not intended to be morbid but is a way to live more wisely.

The authors note that the month of November provides a season for remembrance and for considering the afterlife. They state that beliefs regarding eternity and what follows death influence how a person lives in the present. They observe that modern culture often prioritizes extending life or improving quality of life through diet and medical treatments, but they suggest that religious reflection offers a different perspective on how to approach mortality.

Hundreds of parishioners gathered at St. Matthew’s Windsor Parish on Sunday, September 20, 2026, to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint, St. Matthew the Apostle. The event also marked the 186th anniversary of the parish.

Parish priest Fr. Ranillo Creta celebrated the Mass alongside Deacon Paul Tran and Deacon Michael Tan. During his homily, Fr. Creta spoke about the conversion of St. Matthew, noting how the apostle left his life as a tax collector to follow Jesus.

This annual celebration was first held in 2025.

Artes Christi will present Mozart’s Requiem at Sydney Town Hall on 8 November to honor Australian military nurses. The candlelit tribute, titled A Candlelit Tribute to Our Military Nurses, features an 80-member choir and orchestra. The event supports the Australian Remembrance Foundation and commemorates nurses killed in the Bangka Island massacre, as well as those serving in current military generations.

The commemoration honors 21 Australian Army nurses killed on 16 February 1942. After Japanese aircraft sank the SS Vyner Brooke on 14 February, survivors reached Radji Beach on Bangka Island. There, Japanese soldiers ordered 22 nurses into the sea and opened fire, killing 21. Vivian Bullwinkel was the sole survivor of the shooting. Bullwinkel later testified at a war crimes tribunal and worked to preserve the memory of her colleagues.

Organizers are requesting approval from the Department of Defence to allow 21 serving military nurses from the Navy, Army, and Air Force to lay wreaths. A representative from the family of Vivian Bullwinkel has also been invited to participate in the service.

A contributor for Catholic Outlook argues that people should maintain a consistent concern for all life issues rather than ranking them. The author suggests that praying and working for all human life strengthens the moral position of the Church.

The report notes that the poor and vulnerable are often ignored by those with political and economic power. To address this, the author states that people must make the presence of these individuals known and raise their voices. The text references a speech by the late Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, noting his stance that neutrality assists oppressors and that human dignity should take precedence over national borders.

Catholic Outlook reports that the concept of charism serves as a practical expression of how religious communities live the Gospel and serve the Church. A charism is a gift from the Holy Spirit given to individuals or communities to build up the Church and serve others.

Different religious traditions apply these gifts through specific educational and spiritual focuses. The Edmund Rice tradition uses its charism to educate and empower young people, especially those who are marginalized, through faith, justice, and service. The Jesuits follow the spirituality of St. Ignatius, emphasizing discernment, intellectual formation, and service. The Augustinian tradition focuses on the search for truth, community, and interiority.

For religious congregations, charism acts as a foundation for understanding vocations and responding to the needs of a changing world. It is described as a living gift that requires continual expression rather than just preservation from the past.

Bishop Vincent Long presented the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice to Father John O’Neill on October 14 at O’Neill’s home in Baulkham Hills. Pope Leo XIV granted the award to recognize long-standing and distinguished service to the Church.

Father O’Neill was ordained to the priesthood in 1962 and served various parishes in the Archdiocese of Sydney before becoming the parish priest at Doonside in 1983. He served the Doonside Parish for 42 years until his retirement in December 2025.