Religious sisters have been celebrating in Perth recently with the St John of God Sisters marking 125 years since their arrival in Western Australia and the Servite Sisters observing their 50th anniversary in the state, reports The eRecord.

The Canossian Sisters are handing over the operation of their Queensland health, aged-care and retirement services to Ozcare, The Catholic Leader reports.

The extraordinary contributions of Missionary of the Sacred Heart priest Fr Paul Stenhouse to the Church, scholarship, journalism and migrant families across Sydney and the country was recognised with an Australia Day award more than a year after his death, The Catholic Weekly reports.

We’re told that forgiveness is one of the distinctive teachings of Christianity. Jesus preached and practiced it. However, if we’re honest, I suspect many of us will admit that we find it difficult to forgive. We hold on to slights, upsets and offences. It’s a real challenge to let go of them and forgive the person who has offended us, writes CRA President, Br Peter Carroll FMS.

Christians and millions of others around the world know the story of the first Christmas, writes CRA President Br Peter Carroll FMS. However, one part can easily be neglected. That Jesus was born in a manger, we know - but why? And the answer is instructive: there was no room at the Inn for him. Does our world have room for Jesus – the Jesus who is the Word of life, rather than the baby in the crib?