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 of praise and worship, then a session 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 others, 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.

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.

Friday evening

Tommy Sagoro

Worship Leader

Leading Friday's evening of praise and worship as we open "The Visitation" with hearts turned toward Christ.

…and others

The programme

Three days at Scarborough

Thursday 1 October · Free — open to all · RSVP for catering

5:30 pmHoly Mass

6:30 pmDinner break — bring a plate

7:30 pmOpening — The Annunciation & the Immaculate HeartFr Christian

8:00 pmEvening Keynote — From Conviction to MissionTim Staples

9:00 pmAdoration, Confession & Rosary

Friday 2 October · Free — open to all · RSVP for catering

5:30 pmHoly Mass

6:30 pmDinner break — bring a plate

7:30 pmOpening — Praise & WorshipTommy Sagoro

8:00 pmEvening Keynote — Defending the Faith as EvangelisationTim Staples

9:00 pmAdoration, Confession & Rosary

Saturday 3 October · Ticketed · Clergy, religious & seminarians free

8:00 amHoly Mass — opens the dayFr Christian

8:50 amBreakfast

9:30 amMorning Keynote — Mary & the Missionary ChurchTim Staples

10:45 amMorning tea

11:15 amFruit of the Earth, Work of Human HandsGuest Speaker

12:15 pmLunch

1:30 pmThe Interior Life of the EvangelistFr Mark Payton

2:10 pmThe Magnificat — Praise that ProclaimsFr Christian

3:10 pmAfternoon tea

3:30 pmClosing Keynote — Making Your YesTim Staples

4:30 pmConsecration & CommissioningFr Christian

Full talk descriptions on Eventbrite ›

Make your yes

Say fiat

Thursday and Friday evenings are free and open to all. Saturday is ticketed — clergy, religious and seminarians attend free.

Thu & Fri evenings

FreeRSVP for catering

Saturday full day

$120Breakfast, lunch & teas included

Single session

$60Meals not included

Clergy · religious · seminarians

FreeSaturday included

Children 12 and under free · Early bird pricing has now closed