Saint Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar. The first is 19 March — Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The second is 1 May — Joseph, the Worker.
Catholicism arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. Since the 1960s around one quarter of the population has identified as practising Catholics.
Pope Francis has given his approval for the Catholic Church to hold the first Plenary Council – the most significant national gathering that can be held – in Australia in more than 80 years.
Just as Jesus healed people during his earthly mission, care for the sick is a mission the entire Church is called to take part in. This is a message Pope Francis made clear ahead of World Health Day, observed globally on April 7.