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.

The CFE Team

Ms Carol Mitchell (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.

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.

Mr Paolo Sala

Professor Paolo Sala is a teacher of dogmatic theology at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley, Perth. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Theological University of St Bonaventure in Rome. He has taught theology at Notre Dame University in Fremantle, St Charles’ Seminary in Guildford and has previously taught at the Centre for Faith Enrichment (at the time named Maranatha Centre). Paolo is married and is the proud father of three children and grandfather of three grand-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.

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.

Dr Terry Wilson

Chief Operations Officer and Vicar for Social Outreach Catholic Archdiocese of Perth
Terry was Assistant Director of the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia for 11 years before being appointed the Chief Operations Officer for the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth in 2007.
Terry has a strong interest in the Catholic Church’s teachings on social justice.
He was involved in Catholic education for 34 years as a teacher and administrator in secondary schools and as a consultant and industrial advocate.