Fr Tom Scirghi S.J. - Visiting Scholar from Fordham University, New York

Fr. Thomas J. Scirghi is Associate Professor of Theology at Fordham University, where he specializes in the theology of sacraments and liturgy, as well as homiletics, the theory and practice of preaching. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, California; an S.T.L. from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and the Doctor of Theology from Boston University. A member of the Northeast Province of Jesuits, he has taught at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and the Jesuit College of Theology in Melbourne, Australia. In 2013, he was appointed to the Thomas More Chair of Catholic Studies, a joint appointment to the University of Western Australia and the University of Notre Dame, Australia. He has lectured on liturgy and preaching for clergy and laity throughout America, as well as in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Recently he published Everything Is Sacred: An Introduction to the Sacrament of Baptism (Paraclete Press), Living Beauty: The Art of Worship, with his colleague Alejandro Garcia-Rivera (Rowman and Littlefield Press) and Longing to See Your Face: Preaching in a Secular Age (Liturgical Press, 2017). He is also a frequent contributor to Pastoral Liturgy magazine.

Mr Derek Boylen - Director of Centre for Life, Marriage and Family

Derek is a marriage counsellor and Director of the Centre for Life, Marriage and Family for the Archdiocese of Perth. He has been a presenter for the Centre for Faith Enrichment since 2016. He is also a sessional lecturer with the University of Notre Dame in the Discipline of Counselling and a former president of the national Catholic Society for Marriage Education.

Mr Joe Tedesco

Though originally schooled in Computer and Information Science, completing a Bachelor of Science degree in 1998, Joe Tedesco turned to theological studies soon after, completing bachelor and masters level degrees in theology from UNDA and Murdoch University. These studies focused on various areas of theology including theological anthropology and biblical theology. While studying, Joe was involved in various ministry programs that allowed him to exercise his passion in faith formation aimed primarily at youth and young adults – presenting various talks and seminars at conferences and in parish settings. More recently, Joe has been involved in teaching introductory level theology at the University of Notre Dame to students of various ages and backgrounds, something he has now been involved in for 10 years. Currently he is also working on a thesis focusing on ‘Wisdom Literature’ and its relationship to moral theology. Along with his wife of 16 years and two young children, his life remains very vibrant and full.

Dr Marco Ceccarelli

Dr Marco Ceccarelli is the Director of the Centre for Faith Enrichment.

Marco is committed to offering people an educational experience that allows them to draw on the richness of the Catholic tradition. He is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Australia and has taught European history and literature at The University of Western Australia. He holds a PhD in History/European studies (Jesuit studies) and an MA in European literature.

Marco is a former Journalist and Assistant Editor for the Archdiocesan Communications Office.

Ms Natalie Thomas

Natalie is a Theology tutor with the University of Notre Dame’s School of Theology and Philosophy. She holds a Masters of Theology from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies in Melbourne and a Masters of Philosophy by Research from the University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle. She has provided numerous presentations, and workshops to young people in the Archdioceses of Perth and Melbourne. Natalie has an interest in how a relationship with God impacts our every day life and our deepest relationships and is passionate about others in personal growth and formation.

Dr Margaret Scharf, OP

Dr Margaret Scharf is a member of the Dominican Sisters of WA and is currently the director of the Dominican Institute for Spirituality. Recently returned to Perth after 17 years in the United States, she is a Retreat guide and spiritual director, including the formation of Spiritual directors, and presenter of adult faith formation programmes to parish groups and school staff. Her past ministries include primary education and administration, Motor Mission, and training of catechists in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. She has a D.Min in Spiritual Direction (GTF, Indiana), MA in Spirituality (Gonzaga University), M.Ed in Religious Studies (ECU Perth), and a GDA Intercultural Studies-Aboriginal(ECU Perth). With publications in Australia and the USA, she continues to compose liturgical music.

Rev. Dr Charles Waddell

Fr Charles is a priest of the Archdiocese of Perth. He has recently published Jesus Matters (St Paul’s Publications). Fr Charles holds a PhD (USA) and an STL (Rome). He shares his life with a blind dog named Prego.

Deacon Greg Lowe (WA Catholic Migrant Refugee Office)

Deacon Gregory Lowe is the inaugural Director of the new Western Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (WACMRO). WACMRO seeks to promote the acceptance and settlement of migrants and refugees into Australia. It aspires to support migrants and refugees in a manner that upholds their dignity to enable them to feel a sense of welcome and belonging in the parish and broader community. Rev. Gregory was ordained deacon by Archbishop Hickey in 2006 for the Perth Archdiocese. Currently, he is the Parish Deacon in the Innaloo / Karrinyup parish where he conducts baptisms, marriages,
funerals and assists at the Sunday Mass.

Mrs Anita Finneran (Catholic Institute)

Anita is a lecturer at Catholic Institute of WA. She has a great passion and interest for Catholic Social Teaching, having recently been in the position of the role of Justice Educator WA & NT for Caritas Australia. She was also a State Youth Representative and a Trustee for the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW and, prior to having children, spent a number of weeknights and weekends assisting with Night Patrol, Women’s and Children’s Refuge and Youth Vinnies initiatives, accompanied by her husband.

Anita’s background in education includes working in Catholic secondary schools for the past twenty years as a member of the Executive Team and Religious Education Coordinator. Along with Religious Education, she was also a teacher in English and Drama Studies and Social Justice Coordinator for both Sydney and Parramatta Dioceses.

Deacon Greg Lowe (WA Catholic Migrant Refugee Office)

Deacon Gregory Lowe is the inaugural Director of the new Western Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (WACMRO). WACMRO seeks to promote the acceptance and settlement of migrants and refugees into Australia. It aspires to support migrants and refugees in a manner that upholds their dignity to enable them to feel a sense of welcome and belonging in the parish and broader community. Rev. Gregory was ordained deacon by Archbishop Hickey in 2006 for the Perth Archdiocese. Currently, he is the Parish Deacon in the Innaloo / Karrinyup parish where he conducts baptisms, marriages,
funerals and assists at the Sunday Mass.

Mrs Anita Finneran (Catholic Institute)

Anita is a lecturer at Catholic Institute of WA. She has a great passion and interest for Catholic Social Teaching, having recently been in the position of the role of Justice Educator WA & NT for Caritas Australia. She was also a State Youth Representative and a Trustee for the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW and, prior to having children, spent a number of weeknights and weekends assisting with Night Patrol, Women’s and Children’s Refuge and Youth Vinnies initiatives, accompanied by her husband.

Anita’s background in education includes working in Catholic secondary schools for the past twenty years as a member of the Executive Team and Religious Education Coordinator. Along with Religious Education, she was also a teacher in English and Drama Studies and Social Justice Coordinator for both Sydney and Parramatta Dioceses.