Three religious sisters have been honoured with Order of Australia medals (OAM) in the 2022 Australia Day honours list.

Catholic Religious Australia has joined a coalition of community and religious groups calling on the Federal Government to provide free and accessible rapid antigen tests (RATs) for the entire community.

Sister Janet Mead – whose rock rendition of The Lord’s Prayer earned her a Grammy nomination alongside Elvis Presley - has been remembered as a much-loved musician, educator and Sister of Mercy who impacted the lives of many and was an advocate for the voiceless, reports The Southern Cross.

Dioceses around the nation marked the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life with special Masses of Thanksgiving, while in Perth, Archbishop Timothy Costello SDB shared stories of his own religious life while commending religious women and women for their commitment to their vocation and faith, The e-Record reports.

The peak body representing First Nations Catholics has invited fellow Catholics to make 2022 a year of action to “strengthen Australia’s foundations by supporting Australia’s First Peoples”.