The Record Magazine Issue 49 [October 2025] by The Record

Vocations Noun (from Latin vocatio, meaning 'a call, summons') a summons, a divine call to religious life.

VOCATIONS

MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS & EDITOR

Jamie O’Brien jamie.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au

PRODUCTION OFFICER

Michelle Tan michelle.tan@perthcatholic.org.au

DIGITAL PRODUCTION OFFICER

Justice Goodrick justice.goodrick@perthcatholic.org.au

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Bibiana Kwaramba bibiana.kwaramba@perthcatholic.org.au

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The issue may contain images of deceased members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Images are used with respect and appreciation. ISSUE 49 OCTOBER 2025

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Vocations-themed collage.

DIGITAL ARTWORK: JUSTICE GOODRICK.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

elcome to Issue 49 of The Record Magazine. This issue is dedicated to the theme of Vocation, particularly in this Jubilee Year. Speaking on Good Shepherd Sunday - a day to pray for vocations - on 11 May 2025, Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy in being abe to pray together with all the People of God for vocations, especially to the priesthood and consecrated life. We look at the meaning of

vocation in our modern world, highlighting it not as a personal journey but as a gift for the whole Church. We celebrate the recent National Vocations Week, clergy anniversaries, discuss how to help students discerning their vocation, and talk with Little Sisters of the Poor and about the vocation of marriage. Don’t forget that these and many more stories are available at www. therecord.com.au

Archbishop’s Word

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB spoke about the Vocation of the (new) Holy Father Pope Leo XIV on Good Shepherd Sunday, 11 May 2025 at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.

THE sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

These words of Jesus are surely ringing in our ears this morning as we rejoice in the election of our new pope, Leo XIV. We are certainly thinking of him as the successor to Pope Francis, but he is also, and more truly, the successor to Saint Peter who, as we know, was martyred in Rome and buried in a public cemetery on the Vatican hill, outside the city walls. It is over Peter’s burial place that the great Basilica of Saint Peter was built.

It was to Simon Peter that the Risen Jesus spoke the words: feed my lambs, look after my sheep, feed my sheep. In our Catholic tradition we have always seen these words as an expression of the fundamental mission of the Bishop of Rome, which he shares, of course, with all those called to the ordained ministry of priest or bishop in particular. According to the Gospel of Saint John, to which we listened last Sunday, these words of Jesus were a response to Simon Peter’s threefold declaration of love for the Lord. Simon, son of John, do you love me? Yes Lord, I love you. More than the others do? Yes Lord, I do love you. Simon, do you love me? Lord, you know everything - you know that I love you.

Ultimately this is the mission and the vocation of our new pope. We hope and pray that he will be wise, courageous, compassionate, largehearted and full of faith. But in addition to all this, and underpinning all this, we need to know and see that he, like the Apostle Peter, is in love with the Lord Jesus. The reason, of course, is because it is the Lord’s Church that Pope Leo is called to lead and guide, it is the Lord’s sheep that he is called to shepherd, it is the Lord’s flock that he must look after. We are the sheep, or at least some of the sheep, who belong to our Good Shepherd. If we are to listen to his voice and follow Him, we need the ministry of Peter, now embodied in Pope Leo, to help us and keep us on the right track. We can, with confidence, allow him to guide us if we know that he loves the Lord Jesus. This is certainly what we saw in Pope Francis. We eagerly wait to see how it will reveal itself in Pope Leo.

Our new Holy Father will not always do all this perfectly for he, like every single one of us, will have his weaknesses and frailties. This was true of Pope Francis, and of every pope before him right back to Saint

Peter. It was Peter, after all, who when he first encountered Jesus fell on his knees before Him and confessed himself, not with false humility but with courageous honesty, to be a sinful man.

This did not lead Jesus to walk away from Peter, or place someone more reliable at the head of the twelve apostles. On the contrary, Jesus kept Peter close to Him, continued to trust him, and offered him His forgiveness and His love. As this was true of Peter, so was it true of Pope Francis and so will it be true of Pope Leo - and why? Because it is true for every disciple of Jesus - because it is true of each one of us.

During the twelve years of Pope Francis’s pontificate, in every Mass that was celebrated anywhere in the world, the Church prayed for Pope Francis. And now, from the first Masses celebrated after his election on Thursday afternoon, we have prayed and will pray for Pope Leo at every Mass celebrated in this Cathedral, in every parish in our archdiocese, and in every church and chapel, no matter how grand or how humble, and no matter where that church, chapel or makeshift altar is, anywhere in the world. This morning, I invite us all to make this prayer, not just today but every time we celebrate the Eucharist, not simply a ritual act but a sincere expression of our faith and hope.

For us as Catholics, love for the pope, expressed through our prayer for him, our respect for him and our communion of mind and heart with him, is an essential element of our identity. I have met our new pope before as Cardinal Prevost. If and when I meet him as Pope Leo, I will certainly assure him of the support and loyalty of the people of this Archdiocese. I ask you to do all you can to ensure that when I do so, I can speak with confidence and in truth.

I would like, this morning, to conclude these few reflections with a prayer: Father, may Pope Leo XIV, the successor of St. Peter, continue the mission of the Good Shepherd, which Your Son Jesus Christ entrusted to the head of the Apostles. May He preserve the unity of faith and the communion of the whole Church. May he hold us together in love and guide us according to your will.

We lift our prayers to You together with those of Mary, the Mother of your Church and the Help of Christians, as we pray together: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.”

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB ARCHBISHOP OF PERTH

Bishop’s Word

Speaking about Vocations for Issue 49 of The Record Magazine, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton writes our role as a community is crucial. “Pray—deeply and persistently. Encourage families, mentors, parishes to nurture the seeds of vocation.”

IN our journey of faith, God invites each one of us into a life of love, service, and communion.

Whether to the priesthood, consecrated life, or the sacred bond of marriage, each vocation is a unique and beautiful response to Christ’s call.

I recall leading a Holy Hour for Vocations in August 2017 at St Mary’s Cathedral, where more than 50 faithful gathered for Eucharistic Adoration. Bringing together seminarians and parishioners, we reflected on Pope Francis’s message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Pope Francis reminded us that effective promotion of vocations cannot ignore the bedrock of contemplative prayer and personal encounter with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

“We need people who experience His presence… answering the call to the vocation that He calls us to,” I said, encouraging prayer for all discerners— those called to priesthood, consecrated religious life, or marriage.

The priesthood is a profound gift—one rooted deeply in service and personal surrender. In March 2017, at the Ordination to the Diaconate of Kenneth Acosta Garcia and Patricio Carrera Morales, I spoke of the diaconate as the foundational ministry of putting oneself willingly at the service of others, living “no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and rose for them.” In that act of selfless giving, we glimpse the essence of all vocations— service, joy, and deep trust in Christ.

Marriage, too, is a vocation to be cherished and supported. In my homily at the 2023 Marriage Day Mass, I reflected that Christian marriage is a witness to God’s enduring love and unity. Couples become “witnesses of the love of God at work between us,” sustained by forgiveness and a daily return to Christ, the vine from whom all love flows.

What emerges in each of these vocations is a common thread: faith, service, accompaniment, and the courage to say “yes.” The Lord does not call the equipped; He equips those He calls. Yet that first step—whether entering seminary, religious life, or the marriage covenant—is often daunting.

We may feel unprepared or inadequate. Yet, as I also shared in the 2017 Holy Hour, the Lord does not set before us tasks we cannot bear. He walks with us every step of the way, guiding our discernment with His compassionate presence.

Our role as a community is crucial. Pray—deeply and persistently. Encourage families, mentors, parishes to nurture the seeds of vocation. Offer young people authentic witness and wise counsel.

Above all, remind them—and ourselves—that God is with us, inviting us into a life of purpose, communion, love, and service.

Let us pray that those discerning their path will have courage and clarity, that they may take their place in the joyful journey the Lord sets before them.

+ Bishop Donald Sproxton AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PERTH

A New Chapter in Shared Leadership: Diocesan Pastoral Council

THE Archdiocese of Perth is entering an important new chapter in its journey of synodality with the reestablishment of the Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC).

Convened by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, the DPC is being formed as an advisory body with the aim of strengthening collaboration, discernment, and coresponsibility in the mission of the Church.

Rooted in the spirit of Pope Francis’ call to deepen participation, dialogue, and shared decision-making, the DPC will embody the principle that “the whole community, in free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice” on the pastoral life of the Church.

Background and Vision

The re-establishment of the DPC comes following an extensive listening and discernment processes, including the Archdiocesan Assembly held in July 2024 and the work of the Diocesan Pastoral Council Implementation Advisory Group.

Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Co-Chair of the Implementation Advisory Group, explained to The Record that it has recommended a structure that is transparent, inclusive, and firmly anchored in synodality.

“Following extensive review of the listening and discernment process conducted in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Assembly, we have begun to understand what we can do to better support the pastoral needs for our Perth Catholic community through a Pastoral Council,” Bishop Sproxton explained.

“The draft statutes of the proposed DPC describe it as a consultative body to the Archbishop, charged with investigating, considering, and proposing practical initiatives for the pastoral works of the Archdiocese,” he continued.

More information will be available at www.perthcatholic.org.au/dpc.htm from Monday 13 October 2025

Key Priorities

According to the draft statutes, the DPC will support the Archbishop in:

• Discerning the vision and mission of the Archdiocese

• Identifying emerging pastoral and spiritual needs

• Reviewing proposals for parish and structural change

• Developing strategies to implement outcomes from the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, the global Synod on Synodality, and local assemblies

• Convening diocesan assemblies and engaging widely with parishes, schools, and agencies.

“It will not be a representative parliament, but a body of prayerful discernment, where members contribute for the good of the whole Church in Perth,” he said.

Membership and Role

The Archdiocese will soon commence calling for expressions of interest from clergy, religious, and lay people across the Archdiocese who are committed to living the Gospel and serving the Church in contemporary Australia.

Members are expected to bring faith, leadership, openness to dialogue, and practical experience in communal discernment.

The role of each member will include participation in formation and prayer, listening to diverse voices—especially those on the margins—and helping shape strategies that respond to the needs of the local Church.

Council members will be appointed by Archbishop Costelloe for a three-year term.

A Synodal Process

The journey towards establishing the council has itself been synodal, involving widespread consultation, regional workshops, and an emphasis on transparency. Archbishop Costelloe has emphasised that the council’s success will depend not just on structures but on a genuine commitment to listening to the Spirit and one another in humility and openness.

Looking Ahead

The Diocesan Pastoral Council is expected to hold its first meetings in early 2026, with formation programs and communication strategies already being developed.

Its re-establishment marks a significant milestone for the Archdiocese of Perth as it seeks to live out the vision of a synodal Church— one that listens deeply, discerns faithfully, and acts courageously for the sake of mission.

As Archbishop Costelloe expressed, this initiative is a call to co-responsibility: “an invitation to listen to what the Spirit is saying about the pastoral needs of the people of the Archdiocese”.

Vocations | Noun (from Latin vocatio, meaning 'a call, summons') a summons, a divine call to religious life.

IIN A CHANGING WORLD ANSWERING GOD’S CALL: VOCATIONS

In a fractured age of wars, famine and technology, the witness of vocation is a light of commitment and joy.

By Jamie O’Brien

N 2025, the meaning of vocation remains central to Catholic life—whether to priesthood, religious life, or marriage. Furthermore, each vocation is more than a private choice; it is a divine invitation to share in God’s mission of truth, beauty,

As the Church across the world celebrates this Jubilee Year, scripture, the saints, and our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV remind us that vocations are not only personal journeys but gifts for the whole

From the shores of Galilee to the letters of St Paul, scripture

Jesus tells Simon Peter, “Put out into the deep” (Luke 5:4), a challenge still echoed today: to trust, to risk, and to follow. St Paul assures us, “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), grounding every

Pope Leo XIV: May we pray for vocations, live a life of

Speaking on Good Shepherd Sunday - a day to pray for vocations - on 11 May 2025, Pope Leo XIV expressed his joy in being able to pray together with all the People of God for vocations, especially to the priesthood and consecrated life.

He said the Church has “great need for them” as it does all of us who support them on their vocational journey so they can “find acceptance, listening and encouragement in their communities” and “credible models of generous dedication to God and to their

Recalling Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, he encouraged everyone to “welcome and accompany young people” while we ask God to help us all live “in service to one another...capable of helping one another to walk in love and

seminarians each year, though in smaller numbers than decades past.

St Charles Seminary currently has 11 seminarians for Perth, Bunbury and Geraldton, while Redemptoris Mater, Perth’s missionary seminary under the auspices of the Neocatechumenal Way, currently has nine.

Since 2014, Perth has celebrated more than 35 ordinations, living proof that the priesthood remains alive and valued.

In 2024, some 400 weddings were celebrated in parishes and Chapels across Perth in data developed by the Archdiocese of Perth. Marriage preparation services are also currently being reviewed to better understand how couples (young and old) can be well formed for the journey of married life ahead.

Vocation as Faith Formation: A Journey

In his 2001 message for the World Day of Vocations, St John Paul II wrote that vocation is the word that leads us to understand the dynamisms of God’s revelation and thus reveals to man the truth about his existence.

“At the root of every vocational journey there is the Emmanuel, the God-with-us.

“He shows us that we are not alone in fashioning our lives, because God walks with us, in the midst of our ups-and-downs, and, if we want him to, he weaves with each of us a marvellous tale of love, unique and irreproducible, and, at the same time, in harmony with all humanity and the entire cosmos.”

Conclusion: Hope for our region

In 2025, vocations remain at the heart of a Church that is alive, faithful, and hopeful.

Addressing young people in particular regarding vocations on 11 May 2025, Pope Leo XIV encouraged them saying, “Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!”

To discern one’s vocation is to hear anew the words of Christ: “Come, follow me” (Matt 4:19). To live it is to echo St Paul’s call to be a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom 12:1).

In Australia, the Archdiocese of Perth, as well as the Dioceses of Broome, Geraldton and Bunbury continue to welcome new

In a fractured age of wars, famine and technology (to name a few), the witness of vocation is a light of commitment and joy. It assures us that God still calls, that His Spirit is alive in the Church, and that— indeed—hope does not disappoint.

Perth Community Gathers in Faith For

NATIONAL VOCATIONS AWARENESS WEEK 2025

Across six events from Sunday 3 August to Sunday 10 August, the Perth Catholic community came together to show a strong and united commitment to nurturing vocations.

IN August 2025, the Archdiocese of Perth celebrated National Vocations Awareness Week, a nationwide initiative to pray for, encourage, and support those discerning a call to ordained ministry or consecrated life and marriage and family.

Across six events from Sunday 3 August to Sunday 10 August, the Perth Catholic community came together to show a strong and united commitment to nurturing vocations.

A Week in Review Sunday 3 August – Vocations

Thanksgiving Mass.

Despite stormy weather, St Mary’s Cathedral was filled with the faithful for the Vocations Thanksgiving Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and con-celebrated by Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey.

The Mass officially opened Vocations Week in Perth, with the St Charles seminarians present in support and to provide parishioners with Vocations prayer cards as Mass ended.

Wednesday 6 August - Vocationsthemed Common Ground

This was followed with a Vocations-

themed Common Ground – in collaboration with Catholic Youth Ministry – featuring Holy Hour and Mass with the Archbishop, followed by a short Vocations talk and BBQ dinner enjoyed by over 60 people.

Friday 8 August - Vocations Conversations at Chisholm Catholic College

On the Feast of St Mary MacKillop, Vocations Director Fr Joseph Laundy and Carmelite priest Fr Adalbert Imperial OCD spoke with more than 200 Year 10–12 students, sharing their journeys from medicine to the priesthood, explaining the differences between religious and diocesan vocations, and answering thought-provoking questions on miracles, discernment, and faith.

Saturday

9 August

- Vocations Cafe Day

This first-of-its-kind event invited the Perth Catholic community to explore the myriad of ways people can serve the Church in all vocations—priesthood, marriage, religious life, single life, and the gift of self—in a relaxed café-style setting with free food and drinks. Exhibitors from across the Archdiocese included:

• St Charles Seminary – meet current seminarians.

• Redemptoris Mater Seminary – formation through the Neocatechumenal Way.

• Catholic Youth Ministry – living faith with passion and purpose.

• Little Sisters of the Poor – religious life in service to the elderly poor.

• Discalced Carmelite Order – contemplative prayer and mission.

• Centre for Life, Marriage & Family – interactive quiz, prayer station, and vocation stories.

• Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary – Marian devotion and covenant spirituality.

• New Norcia Benedictine Community – monastic life of prayer, work, and hospitality.

Sunday 10 August, 12pm, Vocations

Sports Day

Every year, Vocations Awareness Week finishes with a Sports Competition Day.

1st place Winners on Vocations Sports Day - the Clergy Team led by Fr Francis Nguyen. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Participants at the Vocations Sports Day. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Vocations-themed Common Ground. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

A Cathedral parishioner speaks with clergy at the Mass for National Vocations Week Mass. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Always a popular event – eight teams played a round-robin style competition featuring futsal, badminton, pickleball and volleyball. Over 60 people attended. Winners on the day were:

• 1st place – Clergy Team led by Fr Francis Nguyen (St Charles Seminary Rector)

• 2nd place – St Charles Seminarians & Catholic Youth

• 3rd place – Vietnamese Catholic Community

A Precious Gift to the Church

In his homily at the opening Thanksgiving Mass, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reminded the faithful that those called to religious life or ordained ministry are “a precious gift of God to the whole Church and to our wider society.” He encouraged the community to be grateful for their witness, to pray for their perseverance, and to support those still discerning.

“It is good for us to pray that those whom God is calling will have the courage and generosity they need to say yes to God’s invitation… and that through the witness of their lives we might be reminded to place God at the heart of our lives and fidelity to his will as our first priority.”

The Call to Listen and Respond

Speaking at the Vocations-themed Common Ground, the weekly gathering hosted by Catholic Youth Ministry, Archbishop Costelloe shared a story about the late Benedictine Sister Maria Balding, who, after a near-death

Fr Joseph Laundy greets guests on Vocations Cafe Day.

PHOTO: INFINITUM STUDIOS.

Carmelite Fr Aldabert Imperial OCD imparts a blessing on a guest. PHOTO: INFINITUM STUDIOS.

Seminarian Flavio Pichardo and Fr Josue Moran ready to speak to guests about Redemptoris Mater Seminary. PHOTO: INFINITUM STUDIOS.

A guest speaks with the Little Sisters of the Poor.

PHOTO: INFINITUM STUDIOS.

experience, found herself not worrying about her sins but simply thanking God for His love.

He encouraged young people to listen for the quiet call of God in their hearts:

“Be open to that voice. Be ready to listen to it and then to find the courage to say yes… It’s not easy, but if you work out what God’s inviting you to and just say yes, you’ll find an enormous amount of joy.”

A Community of Support

This year’s National Vocations Awareness Week has shown that the Catholic community in Perth is deeply committed to supporting those in discernment, offering both prayer and practical encouragement. The Vocations Office gratefully thanks everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making each event an inspirational encounter with God’s call.

The Vocations Office also invites anyone seeking guidance in their vocations journey—whether towards marriage, consecrated life, or ordained ministry—to reach out for assistance in their discernment.

We also ask all the faithful to continue to pray for our seminarians and for everyone discerning God’s call in their lives.

For more information on the Perth Vocations Office, visit: https://vocations.perthcatholic.org.au/

A young man speaks with Dom Anthony from New Norcia Benedictine Monastery. PHOTO: INFINITUM STUDIOS.

Guests speaks with the Dominican Sisters of GoVap, Vietnam. PHOTO: INFINITUM STUDIOS.

New Global Centre for Catholic Leaders at Notre Dame University

“The Centre will strengthen and deepen national and international partnerships, to foster excellence, hope, and human flourishing in Catholic education and leadership across the globe,” the University of Notre Dame’s Prof Renée KöhlerRyan explained.

THE University of Notre Dame Australia is delighted to announce that it has opened a new Global Centre for Catholic Leaders in September this year.

Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Registrar, Prof Renée Köhler-Ryan, explained the aim of the Centre is to provide a nucleus for leadership formation, through professional learning and mentoring.

“It will be a leadership academy with governance programs, mental health and well-being resources grounded in integral human development; faith formation, induction, and board formation programs; academic study, formation opportunities and alumni engagement, “ Prof Köhler-Ryan said.

Not limited by a physical structure, the Centre will draw on existing staff nationally to carry out its operations.

The Centre is now inviting Catholic education stakeholders to join its global network of scholars, educators, and leaders.

In an exclusive interview with The Record, Prof Renee Kohler-Ryan detailed that Centre came about through conversations with national and global partners.

“This helped the University understand that while there are some common trends and needs, often work is happening in a very siloed way and that can feel quite isolating,” Prof Köhler-Ryan said.

“Members of the University found that when we bring various stakeholders from the Catholic Education sector together internationally, they learn a lot (together)

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE EMPHASISE THAT CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS ABOUT THE WHOLE PERSON STRIVING TO LIVE IN A FLOURISHING COMMUNITY ORIENTED TOWARDS GOD.

“and can come up with great solutions - especially when working with the University.

That ‘work’ happening in the background, Prof KöhlerRyan continued, includes discussing and strategising how educators should meet the current challenges across Catholic education, including in the primary, secondary and tertiary space.

So what are some of the challenges?

Realising the purpose of education, in that it is not just about teaching or gaining life skills, but also about understanding the dignity of every person and that human flourishing is about more than just getting a job, Prof Köhler-Ryan highlighted.

“It is imperative that we emphasise that Catholic education is about the whole person striving to live in a flourishing community oriented towards God,” she said.

Prof Köhler-Ryan also noted that while the University is starting the Centre in the education sector, they are keen commence work in other sectors. She was herself one of several people who identified the needs for the Centre and its aims in consultation with others who are working in this space internationally.

The Centre will be headed by Laura Avery as the inaugural Director who has now commenced her position from the first of September this year.

Her appointment marks a beginning for the Centre, whose mission is to support and form leaders who are deeply rooted in faith, committed to service and equipped to meet the evolving challenges of Catholic organisations.

Laura brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role. For the past five years she has served as the Mission and Policy Advisor for the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC).

Her work with the Commission has included serving as a member of NCEC’s Faith Formation and Religious Education Standing Committee, as well as the Executive Officer for the NCEC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Network.

An excellent educator, Laura’s work has taken her to the Northern Territory, Victoria, NSW and the United Kingdom. Her national experience has also included engagement with Catholic Education South Australia on the Religious Education curriculum and Catholic Education Western Australia on their Integral Human Development framework.

She was a member of the “Missionary and Evangelising” Discernment and Writing Group for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia.

With national and global experience and a passion for bringing leaders together, Laura is well-placed to lead the Centre in its first phase.

The Centre webpage will launch soon.

For more information about the Centre, please contact gccl@nd.edu.au.

As they reflect on their 55 years together, both Kevin and Kate shared their insights as to the challenges they see facing modern marriages, noting what they see as perhaps a lack of experience and pressures of a throw-away society.

MARRIAGE is a vocation and involves a call from God and a response from two people who promise to build a sacrament of life and love.

The vocation to marriage is a call to a life of holiness and service within a couple’s own relationship and in their family.

The Vocations Office asked Kevin and Kate Jennings, who recently celebrated a significant 55 year anniversary – about their journey in the vocation of marriage.

Their story started in unlikely circumstances that blossomed into a lifelong partnership.

Kevin’s Journey: Shaped by Faith and Family

Kevin’s life began in the small wheatbelt town of Lake Grace, where his mother instilled in him a strong Catholic faith from a young age.

He recalls a life deeply intertwined with the Church. Every month the local parish priest, Fr O’Mahony paid a visit to the family.

This early exposure fostered a deep sense of closeness to the priesthood, leading him to enter St Charles Seminary at the age of 14.

After five years Kevin discerned that the priesthood was not

his vocation and went on to travel around Australia, eventually getting a job at a bank in Esperance.

It was there, at a Football Club Cabaret, that he met a young newcomer from Melbourne named Kate.

Kevin, then 26, was immediately drawn to her kind spirit and similar values, including her Catholic faith.

He asked her out and within nine months, they were married.

Kate’s Journey: Resilience and a New Beginning

Kate’s early life was marked by challenges. Her mother passed away when she was just three, and she was sent to a Catholic boarding school with the Sisters of Mercy.

This upbringing, though challenging, fostered within her a spirit of independence and tenacity.

At 18, she moved to Esperance to work as a nanny where her life intersected with Kevin’s, with whom they settled down and start a family.

For Kate, the decision to marry Kevin was a straightforward one.

She wasn’t looking for a fairytale romance but a shared life together in faith to raise a family.

Advice for Those Discerning Marriage

“Young people [can] rush into relationships...and as it is a disposable world, when things go wrong, they [don’t have the] strength...to talk about the problems and work it out,” Kate said.

She advises couples to be open and honest, to share and care for one another, and to always listen without criticism.

Both believe that when things go wrong, couples need strength-together when working out problems, rather than treating their relationship as disposable. They advise never going to sleep on an argument and being prepared to admit fault and say “sorry with intent.”

Kevin and Kate’s life together is also built on mutual sacrifice. They highlight that their generation prioritised family and commitment over personal gratification, a mindset they believe is essential for a lasting marriage.

“We understood each other, that we were ready to settle down with the same goal, to marry and begin a family,” she said.

A shared Catholic faith provided a solid foundation for their shared ideals.

A Vocation Chosen Together

“Our Catholic faith has been the foundation of our life together.”

Both Kevin and Kate believe that their marriage was a natural and right path for them.

For Kevin, the seminary years provided a solid grounding in the faith and a deep understanding of the Church’s teachings, which proved invaluable in his married life.

For Kate, there was no single moment of doubt; their relationship simply felt right from the start.

Together they embraced family life with all its joys and challenges, raising four children and actively participating in their parish and school communities such as St Vincent de Paul Society, Magellan Group and on school and parish boards.

“All of this was the glue that has bound our relationship.” Kate said.

She dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mother, and both were deeply involved in their children’s lives.

Kevin’s busy seven-day work week was a testament to his commitment to providing for his family, a total commitment that Kate fully supported.

“Our Catholic faith has been the foundation of our life together,” Kevin shared.

What makes a successful marriage? Kate believes “that love and respect are the main ingredients.”

They’ve learned to navigate challenges by being “open and honest, sharing and caring,” and always making time to listen to one another.

Importantly, “Faith”, says Kate “is a wonderful security blanket, having someone to call on when trouble abounds, someone to ask for help, to pray for a sick relative or friend, to guide you along the way and to thank Him [God] for all of one’s blessings” highlighting its importance when life gets difficult.

Read Kevin and Kate’s full story on their vocation of marriage and family

Kevin and Kate Jennings’ story is a beautiful reminder that marriage is a profound journey of faith and love, a continuous

SUPPLIED.

55 years of marriage: Kevin and Kate today. PHOTO

CELEBRATING OUR PRIESTS

Priests act as a bridge between God and humanity, and as Pope Benedict XVI explained, the priest’s mission is “to link these two realities that appear to be so separate…to bring human beings to God, to His redemption, to His true light, to His true life.”

THE Perth Vocations Office takes joy in celebrating the ordination anniversaries of priests within the Archdiocese of Perth, recognising their role in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Perth.

Each year, we share photos and stories on the occasion of their anniversaries— highlighting “where they are now”— through our social channels, which are further shared with St Charles Seminary, Redemptoris Mater Seminary, and the Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy.

Priests act as a bridge between God and humanity, and as Pope Benedict XVI explained, the priest’s mission is “to

link these two realities that appear to be so separate…to bring human beings to God, to His redemption, to His true light, to His true life.”

St Paul describes priests as “ministers of Christ and dispensers of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor 4:1), while the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us they are “taken from among men yet appointed for men in the things that pertain to God.” From the Last Supper to the present day, the priesthood has been entrusted by Christ to guide, forgive, and shepherd His people.

We give thanks for the faithful service, guidance, and sacrifice of all our priests. May the Lord continue to bless them abundantly as they lead, teach, and

serve the people of God.

Please follow the Perth Vocations Facebook or Instagram pages to also help share and celebrate these special ordination anniversaries.

Perth Vocations Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ perthvocationsoffice

Perth Vocations Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ perthvocations/

More news on clergy anniversaries will be shared in the December Issue of The Record Magazine.

CELEBRATING

11th anniversary

2 august

Fr Mark Baumgarten, Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Armadale (also known as the “Piano Priest”), and Fr Christian Irdi, Parish Priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Scarborough, and Lecturer in Theology at Notre Dame University Fremantle.

10th anniversary

1 august

Fr Grant Gorddard, Fr Stephen Gorddard, Fr Israel Quirit, Fr Patrick Toohey, Fr Jeffey Casabuena, Fr Conor Steadman, Fr Garner Vergara, and Fr Simeon San, who serve across parishes and ministries throughout the Archdiocese.

earlier celebrations

Fr Nathan Barrie (2nd Anniversary, 17 May), Fr Jason Yeap and Fr Errol Lobo (1st Anniversary, 19 April), Fr Nicholas Diedler (2nd Anniversary, 24 March), and Fr Noe Navarrete, Fr Alexis Vega, Fr CJ Millen, and Fr Marlon HenaoPerez (10th Anniversary, 20 March).

Fr Errol Lobo & Fr Jason Yeap

Fr Mark Baumgarten & Fr Christian Irdi

Fr Nathan Barrie

Fr Nicholas Diedler

HELPING STUDENTS DISCERN THEIR VOCATION

In 2025, the Perth Vocations Office was privileged to work with five Catholic schools across Western Australia, each offering a unique opportunity for students to reflect on God’s call in their lives.

THE Perth Vocations Office, in partnership with the Catholic Education WA Religious Education Curriculum team, is committed to helping senior students explore one of life’s most important questions: What is God calling me to be?

As part of the Office’s strategic plan to promote a culture of vocation in Catholic schools, they focus on Year 10, 11 and 12 students—those already making choices about careers and life pathways. Through talks, workshops, retreats, and interactive expos, we invite students to see their future through the lens of faith and service.

Mater Dei College – Vocations Conversations (14 March 2025)

One hundred and ninety five Year 10 students participated in an “ABC Conversations”-style discussion with Fr Joseph Laundy, Vocations Director, and Dr Debra Sayce, Head of Mission Enhancement and Outreach.

One of the main key takeaways from Fr Joe to the sports-loving students was comparing following God’s call to training in sport:

“A coach might tell me to swim 200 metres freestyle. I could ignore them, but that wouldn’t help me improve. God’s call works the same way— listening, trusting, and responding,

even when we don’t fully understand why.”

Dr Debra also encouraged students to live their faith in action by saying: “Being Catholic isn’t just about saying prayers or going to Mass. It’s how you treat people, help others, and make the world better.”

Mater Dei’s Head of Religious Education, Liz Williams, who coordinated the session with the Office said:

“Thank you, Perth Vocations Office. Your work has made a significant impact on their personal and spiritual growth.”

YOUR WORTH IS NOT MEASURED BY WHAT’S ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT BY WHAT’S WITHIN.

Dr Debra Sayce during a question-andanswer session at Mater Dei College. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Irene McCormack Catholic College – Vocations Reflection Day (3 April 2025)

More than 70 Year 10 students joined clergy, religious sisters, and Catholic Youth Ministry leaders for a full-day reflection on “Who am I meant to be?”

The day featured breakout sessions on priesthood, religious life, marriage and family, and the “gift of self,” as well as games, testimonies, and a Q&A panel. The event concluded with Mass, where students prayed for courage to follow God’s call.

At the beginning, throughout and finally as part of the closing Mass, Fr Joe reminded students:

“Your worth is not measured by what’s on the outside, but by what’s within. Your vocation—your calling— starts there.”

IMCC’s Assistant Deputy Principal Catholic Identity, Ms Fran Christie, who coordinated the full day Vocations retreat with the Office reflected:

“Opportunities like this play an essential role in inviting our students to reflect deeply on who they are called to be.”

Clontarf Aboriginal College –Vocations Expo (3–6 June 2025)

During the College’s 2025 Religious Education Week, senior students engaged in open, honest conversations with Fr Joseph Laundy about vocation, faith, and life’s purpose. The Vocations Expo invited students to ask deep questions and explore how God calls people to different forms of service.

Ursula Frayne Catholic College –Careers Expo (2 July 2025)

At Ursula Frayne’s Careers Expo, the Vocations Office display booth drew in curious students with a clothing rack of priestly vestments, giveaways, and a “Would You Rather” questions game. Fr Joe shared stories of discernment, encouraging students to see vocation as God’s unique plan for their lives.

Chisholm Catholic College –Vocations Conversations (8 August 2025)

Coinciding with the Feast of St Mary MacKillop and National Vocations Awareness Week, students enjoyed an informal chapel-based conversation with Fr Joseph Laundy and Fr Adalbert Imperial OCD. They discussed diocesan vs religious priesthood, leaving medical careers for ministry, and even compared hobbies— swimming and boxing! Spot prizes and student Q&A made the session engaging and memorable.

Book a Vocations Encounter for Your School in 2026

The Perth Vocations Office is now taking bookings for 2026 school visits.

To find out how the Office can partner with your school to inspire and guide your students in their faith journey, contact vocations@ perthcatholic.org.au or visit vocations.perthcatholic.org.au/ schools-universities

Clergy, religious sisters and Catholic Youth Ministry leaders at Irene McCormack Catholic College. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

The Little Sisters of the Poor

Answering God’s call through a life of service

Founded by St Jeanne Jugan in 1839, the Sisters dedicate themselves to the care of the elderly poor—ensuring that no one dies alone, but is accompanied with dignity, compassion, and love, as if they were Christ Himself.

“Throw yourself into His hands—He will not fail you.”

RELIGIOUS sisters remain an essential part of the Catholic Church’s mission, serving in education, healthcare, social justice and parishes.

Their tireless work with the poor and vulnerable is a living witness to the love of Christ, inspiring others to embrace their own calling from God.

Among the many women’s religious institutes in Perth, the Little Sisters of the Poor (LSP) stand as a shining example of a vocation lived in joy, humility, and service.

A Century of Care in Perth

The Little Sisters arrived in Perth in 1920, opening their mission in two small cottages on Adelaide Terrace.

Supported by the local community, including the Sisters of Mercy, local tradespeople, and clergy such as Fr Treacy of the Redemptorist Monastery, they quickly created a refuge for the elderly in need.

By 1921, then Perth Archbishop Patrick Clune gifted them

courtyards, and a warm, prayerful environment that reflects the Sisters’ charism.

Living Witnesses of Vocation

Behind the long history of the Little Sisters in Perth are individual women who have given their lives to God’s service.

Sister Velonika – A Life Rooted in a Mother’s Prayer

For 37 years, Sister Velonika has served with the Little Sisters. Her journey began as a child, when after her First Holy Communion her mother consecrated her to Our Lady with the prayer that she might one day be “a handmaid of the Lord.”

Years later, a simple act of charity she witnessed in a Little Sisters’ home confirmed her calling. Despite the demands of modern care work, she finds strength in deep prayer and community life. Her advice to women discerning religious life is simple: “Go for it and don’t look back.”

Sister Mary Pauline – Saying ‘Yes’ to God’s Whisper

Growing up in a faith-filled family, Sister Mary Pauline’s heart was shaped by service to others.

Seven years ago, she entered the Little Sisters of the Poor, making her final vows in France just last year.

Her vocation was affirmed one Sunday during Mass, when she saw the Sisters tenderly caring for their elderly residents and felt God’s voice whisper, “It’s here you want me.”

She encourages young women not to be afraid to give their lives to God: “Throw yourself into His hands—He will not fail you.”

Sister Susanna – From Volunteer to Vocation

Sister Susanna’s path began in Singapore, volunteering one Saturday a week at the Little Sisters’ home—until she was there every spare moment.

A pilgrimage to the Motherhouse in France during World Youth Day 1997 led to a profound moment of “being at home” before the Blessed Sacrament.

Now celebrating 20 years of professed life, she reflects that her vocation was shaped by ordinary encounters and the quiet guidance of God’s hand. Her advice to women discerning is to find a good spiritual director and to keep an open heart.

Continuing the Mission

The Little Sisters of the Poor continue to serve Perth’s elderly poor with the help of staff, volunteers, and members of the Association Jeanne Jugan. Their mission is not only to provide physical care, but also to offer a home filled with love, dignity, and the peace of Christ.

Through their witness, the Sisters remind us that vocations are a gift to the Church—lives joyfully given to God for the service of His people.

If you would like to learn more about the Little Sisters of the Poor, or discover other women’s religious institutes in Perth, please visit perthcatholic.org.au for a full list.

MEET OUR SEMINARIANS

IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Our houses of formation for the priesthood are pivotal in supplying the Archdiocese and abroad with priests for pastoral ministry.

Above: Seminarians and formators from Redemptoris Mater Seminary with Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, clergy, vistors and friends. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Left: Seminarians Mikaere Lenranoi and Joao De Oliveira. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

• Matthew Purt (2nd Year)

• Vivek Tom (2nd Year)

• James Le Quang (1st Spiritual Year)

• Joseph Tho, Joseph Dang, and Peter Phong (Diocese of Geraldton)

• Marcelino Severino III and Simon Osiba (Diocese of Bunbury – undergoing formation in the Philippines).

Redemptoris Mater Seminary

The Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary in Morley is one of more than 120 seminaries of its kind around the world, including one in Sydney. Seminary formation includes about two years on mission across Australia and the world.

Formally founded on 15 August 1994, the Seminary forms presbyters from the vocations arising from the Neocatechumenal Way, so that they might accompany and help in the New Evangelisation.

Meet the Seminarians of Redemptoris Mater

• Daniel Kwaudi (8th Year)

• Flavio Pichardo (6th Year)

• Sebastian Loredo (6th Year)

• Manuel Ruiz Guarin (8th Year)

• Mikaere Lenranoi (5th Year)

• Joao Lucas (8th Year)

• Juan Sanchez (6th Year)

• Jose Algarin (6th Year) and Sebastian Rojas (6th Year)

A Call to Prayer and Discernment

“You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last.” – John 15:16

Thinking about the priesthood?

Contact the Perth Vocations Office at stcharleseminary@ perthcatholic.org.au or visit vocations.perthcatholic.org.au for free books, resources, and guidance.

Top Right: Vicar General the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn with St Charles Seminarians. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Bottom: Archbishop Costelloe SDB with seminarians and formators from St Charles Seminary. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Challah

Recipe by Justice Goodrick

Challah is a traditional Jewish bread, typically braided and eaten on Shabbat (Sabbath) and religious holidays. Its origins trace back to the 15th century in Eastern European Jewish communities. The bread is slightly sweet, soft inside, rich with eggs, and often braided.

INGREDIENTS

3 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1 tbsp sugar

1 cup of sugar

1 cup vegetable oil, more for greasing the bowl

5 eggs

1 tbsp of kosher salt

8 cups all-purpose flour

This recipe creates two Challahs.

In a large bowl, mix yeast with 1 tablespoon sugar and lukewarm water. Let it dissolve.

Mix in oil, then 4 eggs one at a time, 1 cup of sugar, and salt. Gradually add flour to form dough.

Knead on floured surface until smooth. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour. Punch down, cover, rise 30 min more.

For a 6-strand braid: divide dough into halves. Each half makes 6 balls for a single Challah bread. Roll each ball into a strand 30 cm long and 4 cm wide. Line up 6 strands, pinch the tops together, and braid.

Place braided loaves on a greased baking sheet, leaving space between them. Beat the extra egg and brush with beaten egg, let rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 190°C, brush with egg again, and bake 30 min until golden. Cool before serving.

Member of a religious order

“Behold, I am with you ___…”

Possible Easter month

Home of St. Rose

Prayer time

Wife of Abram

Diocese of Honolulu home

David is their patron saint

An element of moral culpability 20 The ___ calf 24 They were found in Juan Diego’s cape at Guadalupe

25 He blamed the Christians for burning Rome 26 “He is ___!”

Tribe of Israel

“___ et Orbi”

A biblical judge

Administrative arm of the Catholic Church

Worship place in Jerusalem 35 Joseph interpreted these

The Record Magazine Issue 49 [October 2025]