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.

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.

The CFE Team

The CFE Team

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.

The CFE Team

Dr Peter Christofides

After completing National Service, Peter studied an Advance Diploma in Theology (Christian Education) at Rosebank Bible College. While completing his Honours degree in Theology (Practical Theology) at the University of South Africa (UNISA), he worked at the YMCA in Johannesburg – amongst street children. He went on to complete a MA (Biblical Studies) from the University of Johannesburg, where he also did a Doctorate (D. Litt et Phil) on peace and reconciliation. Peter has worked at the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) as a television producer in the Religious Department. Following that, he was then appointed as Principal of Rosebank Bible College. From there he went as a lecturer and Dean of Students at the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa in Johannesburg where he headed up the Missions Department as well as the Biblical Languages Department. He also went on to complete a second doctorate (PhD) on the “rediscovery of the role of the laity in the mission of the church”.

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

Derek is a marriage counsellor and Director of Catholic Marriage and Fertility Services 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.

Ms Carol Mitchell - Director - Justice Ecology and Development Office (JEDO)

My personal and professional passion has always involved working with or for the marginalised and vulnerable, including women and children’s safety. Prior to working at JEDO – Feb 2014, I worked for three State government depts and two non-government agencies. This was enabled through a Diploma of Dental Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion; Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies and Graduate Certificate in Human Rights.
While working for Dental Health Services, I worked at Fremantle Prison; Longmore Juvenile Detention Centre; Graylands Psychiatric Hospital; Pyrton; domiciliary/aged care; and Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital (Shenton Park). At the Health Department, I worked on numerous social media campaigns for tobacco control (eg: Quit Campaign). Given my interest in the social determinants of health, this led to domestic violence prevention work (‘Freedom From Fear Campaign Against Domestic Violence’) within the former Domestic Violence Prevention Unit. I was engaged in the early implementation stages of the National Plan of Action to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (2009 – 2021) in the former Women’s Policy Office, non-government agenciesi included Outcare – supports offenders/ex-offenders and their families; and the Immigrant Women’s Support Service (IWSS) in Brisbane, QLD – a crisis and referral service for Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) women living with the consequences of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. On a personal note…. I have been married to for over 30 years and we have three wonderful children.

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.

Sr. Shelley Barlow, RNDM

Sr Shelley Barlow is a teacher and bridge-builder who has worked in the challenging settings of faith-formation for over twenty years. Shelley’s zest for her work is sparked by her missionary charism as a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions, and by her deep and abiding interest in the universal yearning for wholeness. Shelley has a Bachelor of Theology from Melbourne College of Divinity, and Masters degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education from Boston College, USA.

Sr. Shelley Barlow, RNDM

Sr Shelley Barlow is a teacher and bridge-builder who has worked in the challenging settings of faith-formation for over twenty years. Shelley’s zest for her work is sparked by her missionary charism as a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions, and by her deep and abiding interest in the universal yearning for wholeness. Shelley has a Bachelor of Theology from Melbourne College of Divinity, and Masters degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education from Boston College, USA.

Dr Angela McCarthy

Dr Angela McCarthy is a senior lecturer in theology at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle campus. Her first degree from Sydney University included work in Biblical Studies and Fine Arts and was followed by the beginnings of a teaching career in Catholic secondary education. After time spent rearing a family, Angela resumed secondary teaching and also further studies in theology and education beginning in 1993 at Notre Dame. Having secured further degrees in education and theology, she was awarded her PhD in 2007. Since then she has completed a further Research Masters in Theology in the field of Scripture, art and theology. Angela has published in the areas of liturgy, icons, art and theology, liturgical music, educational practice and theological aesthetics

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.