When Pope Francis encouraged priests to “Take on the smell of the sheep” by getting out and being with the people, he might not have imagined how two Divine Word Missionaries would put his words into actions by spending time on vast cattle stations in rural Queensland.

They have been called to do “insignificant” work in the eyes of the world, and now three fully professed religious Sisters of St Paul de Chartres have promised to do God’s work for life, reports The Catholic Leader.

A number of Australia’s religious congregations and associated entities have joined more than 20 faith-based communities from around the world, in a joint statement declaring their common commitment to stand with the suffering people of Myanmar and call for an end to violence.

Pioneering scientist, bioethicist and educator, the late Sr Regis Mary Dunne RSM has joined the list of Queensland Greats, announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last week, The Catholic Leader reports.

With the Feasts of Pentecost and Mary Mother of the Church behind us and the Plenary Council ahead, it’s opportune to consider the future of the Church. I’m not a prophet or a futurologist, and of course, in the end, the future of the Church is about hoping against hope in the Spirit. However, it seems that we can’t simply carry on as we have been, when foresight and planning are possible and even required of us, writes CRA President, Br Peter Carroll FMS.