Why Be Catholic Conference · Perth 2026

FIAT

“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:38

1–3 October 2026

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Scarborough · Perth, Western Australia

The heart of the conference

Before anything is asked of us, God asks for our yes. At the Annunciation, Mary gives hers without reserve — and the work of salvation begins to move through her into the world.

Our anchor this year is the Immaculate Heart of Mary — fittingly, the very heart of the parish that hosts us. From that Marian foundation the conference turns outward to its practical fruit: evangelisation. Mary is our model and inspiration, the source from which mission flows.

fiat✝ Visitation✝ Magnificat✝ our yes

“She went in haste” — Luke 1:39

A farewell to Australia

Tim Staples,
one last time

Senior Apologist · Catholic Answers, San Diego

After four visits to Perth across the past decade, one of the world's most beloved Catholic apologists returns to Australia for the final time before his retirement.

Tim Staples will speak across all three days — his conversion story, the art of defending the faith with charity, and a closing call to make your own fiat. For many here, this will be the last chance to hear him in person.

His final international tour

Three days, one movement

From her yes
to ours

The conference follows Mary's own path — received, carried, proclaimed — and hands it, finally, to you.

i.Thursday 1 Oct

The Fiat

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

The yes that begins everything. We open in the Immaculate Heart — the Annunciation as the first surrender — and hear Tim Staples on the night a man's own conviction became a mission. Free, and open to all.

ii.Friday 2 Oct

The Visitation

“She went in haste.”

Mary, the first evangelist, carries Christ to Elizabeth — and we learn to do the same. An evening on defending the faith as the Visitation continued: carrying Christ to all who question. Free, and open to all.

iii.Saturday 3 Oct

Magnificat & Our Yes

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”

A full day of teaching, praise and commissioning — from the missionary Church to the interior life of the evangelist, and a closing keynote inviting each person to their own fiat. Ticketed; clergy, religious and seminarians free.

Voices for the weekend

Who you'll hear

Keynote · all three days

Tim Staples

Catholic Answers

A former Southern Baptist and U.S. Marine who set out to disprove Catholicism — and converted in 1988. Now Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, on his final tour of Australia.

Host

Fr Christian Irdi

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Parish priest of Scarborough and our host, with a doctorate in fundamental theology from the Gregorian. Opens and commissions the conference.

Deacon Aaron Peters

Archdiocese of Perth

A permanent deacon known for warm, energetic preaching and youth ministry — opening Friday on Mary, the first evangelist.

Fr Mark Payton

Archdiocese of Perth

A priest with a licence in spiritual theology from the Angelicum, speaking on the hidden, interior life that sustains every evangelist.

Saturday · special session

To be revealed

Lived discipleship

A surprise session on living your fiat in the ordinary rhythm of daily life — the practical bridge from the weekend's teaching into everyday discipleship. Speaker and theme announced closer to the day.

Further speakers to be announced

The programme

Three days at Scarborough

Thursday 1 October · Free · open to all · bring a plate to share

5:30 pmHoly Mass

6:30 pmCommunity dinner — bring a plate to share

7:30 pmHail, Full of GraceThe Annunciation & the Immaculate HeartFr Christian

8:00 pmThe Yes That Changed EverythingFrom conviction to missionTim Staples

9:00 pmAdoration & Confession

Friday 2 October · Free · open to all · bring a plate to share

5:30 pmHoly Mass

6:30 pmCommunity dinner — bring a plate to share

7:30 pmShe Went in HasteThe first act of evangelisationDeacon Aaron

8:00 pmReady to Give a ReasonDefending the faith as evangelisationTim Staples

9:00 pmAdoration & Confession

Saturday 3 October · Ticketed · breakfast & lunch provided · clergy & religious free

8:00 amHoly Mass — opens the dayFr Christian

8:50 amBreakfast

9:30 amTo the Ends of the EarthMary & the missionary ChurchTim Staples

10:45 amMorning tea

11:05 amA Special Session — Lived DiscipleshipTo be revealed

11:50 amPanel Q&AMorning speakers

12:30 pmLunch

1:30 pmThe Hidden SpringThe interior life of the evangelistFr Mark Payton

2:10 pmMy Soul ProclaimsThe Magnificat: praise that proclaimsFr Christian

3:10 pmAfternoon tea

3:30 pmNow, Your FiatMaking your yesTim Staples

4:30 pmConsecration & CommissioningFr Christian

Full talk descriptions on Eventbrite ›

Registration

Make your yes

Come for one evening or all three days — and make the weekend's yes your own.

Thursday & Friday

Free

Evenings · bring a plate

Saturday

$80 early bird

Full day · meals included

Clergy & religious