Lenten Retreat 

Sharing hope, reflection, and the journey back to God

Gregory grew up in Singapore and has worked across media, advertising, and the digital world, blending creativity with strategic insight. After spending a decade away from parish life during his early working years, he returned with a renewed conviction that lay Catholics have a vital role in evangelisation. He is a father who has navigated profound personal loss, finding comfort and guidance through faith, which continues to shape his life and ministry.

For more than ten years, Gregory has served in the Landings ministry in Singapore, encouraging those who have drifted from the Church to reconnect with faith and community. He recently completed a Certificate in Theology at the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore and values the harmony of faith and reason in deepening belief. Since a health scare in 2019, he has also developed a reflective practice of engaging with Scripture and exploring his Catholic faith with intention.

At FAST24, Gregory hopes to inspire both those seeking to grow in faith and those longing to help loved ones find their way back to God, sharing his journey of returning to God and embracing growth through life’s challenges — a witness to this year's FAST24 theme of Always Returning, Always Becoming.

Inspiring encounters with God through prayer and presence

Philip Boon is a familiar voice at FAST24, having shared on several occasions since 2019. His continuing journey reflects the contemplative heart of the Always Returning, Always Becoming theme, drawing deeply from the Christian mystical tradition.

After completing the Living School programme with the Centre for Action and Contemplation, Philip helped establish the Contemplative Prayer Group at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish. In 2024, he joined the Archdiocese of Perth’s Prison Ministry as a chaplain, a role he finds deeply fulfilling as he accompanies prisoners through challenging and often transformative spiritual journeys.

Philip is married and has three adult children. His contributions at FAST24 offer a grounded and reflective invitation to return to God through prayer, presence, and faithful accompaniment.

Helping others take their first steps or return to God

Stepfanie Kee’s journey to becoming Catholic began just over a decade ago, after being raised in a Buddhist family—an experience that reflects the heart of Always Returning, Always Becoming. Her story is a living witness that it is always possible to make time for God and serve His people, even while pursuing a demanding career and further studies.

She has a deep passion for helping others grow and strengthen their faith, especially those who are taking steps toward God for the first time or finding their way back. Stepfanie has served as a lector and Alpha facilitator at the Church of the Assumption in Kuala Lumpur, and later as a Landings facilitator at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Singapore.

She is currently a Diploma in Theology student at the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore and is based in Penang, where she serves as a chorister at the Church of Divine Mercy.

Guiding those rediscovering their faith

Desi Perera’s faith journey reflects the rhythm of Always Returning, Always Becoming. After growing up in a single-parent household in Penang and receiving his sacraments as a young person, he became active in youth ministry before spending several years away from the Church during his early working life. By God’s grace, he found his way back in his early thirties.

Since returning, Desi has dedicated himself to walking alongside others on their own journeys of faith. He served for over seven years as a facilitator and core team member for Alpha in the Catholic context in Kuala Lumpur, and after moving to Singapore, became involved in the Landings ministry as a facilitator and occasional speaker.

He is currently pursuing a Diploma in Theology at the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore and is deeply committed to helping returning Catholics rediscover that they belong fully in the life of the Church.

Supporting young people in growing their relationship with God

Isabelle Ochtman grew up on a farm in the small town of Beverley, in a family that was not religious. While faith was not a strong part of her home life, her positive experiences with the Catholic Church through school introduced her to the Catholic faith. As she encountered suffering in her own life, Isabelle felt a growing need for a belief in something greater than herself, which led her to complete the sacraments of initiation and embrace the Catholic faith.

Her journey reflects the Always Becoming heart of this year’s FAST24 theme. Rather than allowing adversity to distance her from God, Isabelle found ways to grow through it, developing a deeper and more compassionate understanding of how people wrestle with faith, suffering, and meaning. This has shaped her passion for accompanying others on their faith journeys with care and hope.

Isabelle now works full-time with Catholic Youth Ministry Perth as the Faith Formation Officer, where she supports the faith formation of young people and hopes the work of the Church continues to draw people of all ages into a loving and life-giving relationship with God and with one another.

Lay mission leader fostering connection, formation, and shared purpose

Mark Brolly’s lifelong involvement with the Pallottine family began through youth camps at Pallotti College in Victoria and grew into decades of service in leadership, formation, and collaboration initiatives. He has contributed locally, nationally, and internationally, including coordinating pilgrimages, formation programmes, and major events marking key milestones in Pallottine history.

Professionally, Mark spent nearly 30 years in journalism with The Age, served as Australian correspondent for The Tablet, and later worked in church communications with Anglican Media. He currently serves as President of the National Coordination Council of the Union of Catholic Apostolate (UAC) in Australia, and is a member of the international coordinating body in Rome.  Mark is based in Melbourne, where he continues to support mission initiatives while enjoying his retirement, family life, reading, sport, and music.  

Note: 

At FAST24 Perth 2026, Mark will serve as a moderator of the new FAST24 Emmaus Table.  The Emmaus Table is a brand-new FAST24 experience, inspired by the Gospel story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is a guided conversation involving both speakers and audience participants, echoing the disciples’ journey of walking, sharing, and recognising Christ in dialogue. 

Unlike a traditional presentation-and-Q&A format, the Emmaus Table creates a space to reflect, respond, and uncover new insights together on the theme of Always Returning, Always Becoming — a shared journey where listening, speaking, and connection reveal understanding and inspiration along the way.