Catholic Mission - Annual Report 2009

Catholic Mission Annual Report

Working with...

Children Communities Church Leaders

2009

Director’s Report Catholic Mission – Truly Worldwide Catholic Mission in Africa Catholic Mission in Asia Catholic Mission in Oceania Catholic Mission in the Americas Education Report Fundraising Report Finance Report

Director’s Report

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Even greater generosity and support defies the gloom!

In a year where every indication was that Australians would be able to give less to our work for Church communities, for children and for the training of seminarians and other future church leaders, a combination of Aussie generosity and a boldness to ask meant that more funds were donated in 2009 than the previous year.

Catholic Mission is part of the international group of Mission Societies specifically commissioned by the Pope to promote a universal missionary spirit and provide spiritual and financial support to growing Churches around the world.

2009 was an extraordinary year for Australia, not only were the Victorian bushfires one of the worst natural disasters in our history but the Global Financial Crisis added another very different but serious challenge to Australians. Yet Catholics responded by giving more than before to Mission.

programs that schools really want. As a result we can provide formation for far more young Australians than in the past for the same cost. We also provided more speakers in parishes, ensuring both a great opportunity for mission formation which in turn inspires many more donations.

Our fundraising has a basis in Stewardship, an understanding that we need to give as Catholic Christians because we understand that all we have is not ours but God’s. Therefore when presented with needs such as the bushfires and also the need for Mission throughout the world, Catholics responded by giving to both! And generously! Catholics give because they see a need, but also because they need to give, so as to live a life where money is not what they most value.

Financially 2009 was a good year, in that we trialled many new aspects of fundraising and they were an overwhelming success. This investment will continue to contribute to our projects for many years ahead.

Our bequests were very low in number and therefore income was less than hoped, but we were made aware of a number of large upcoming bequests that should provide substantial income in 2010.

Mission is both Faith and Action flowing from Faith, and therefore our projects support the spiritual and human needs of people around the world. We have more than 300 projects for children, providing medical care, education, nutrition programs and spiritual development. Millions of Catholics of all ages are cared for and given opportunities for faith development through our support of missionaries and their communities, and also by our training of and support for Church leaders, particularly seminarians.

There is still an enormous shortage of priests in most countries worldwide.

2009 was also a year where we put into place more accountability throughout Catholic Mission, simply so we could do more with the donations we are privileged to receive. We ensured that we protected ourselves from the reduction in the value of the Australian dollar, actually generating a risk-free surplus. Australia has led Catholic Mission internationally in introducing strict financial systems which reduce risk and maximise investment income. If we are doing God’s work, we have to do our very best.

In this Year of the Priest I would particularly like to thank our priests and bishops who raise millions of dollars for us each year through the Church appeals and who are wonderful supporters of Mission. Many of our most generous donors are priests, despite their earning so little, which is remarkable and inspiring.

Finally a huge thank you to our donors, our key supporters who make all of our work possible. Your contributions directly improve the lives of millions of people overseas, giving each person the opportunity to experience the love of God. You are the face of God for so many people. Congratulations on a wonderful year; all our achievements are your achievements!

Yours in Christ,

Martin Teulan BA Dip Ed.,MA Th. St. National Director

We engaged in greater contact with donors and the generous response has been an increase in the number of regular donors to our work, turning around what had been a decline. We also increased feedback to our donors, something we will increase again in 2010.

Our Mission Formation has continued to grow in 2009, so that many more Australians of all ages are formed for local, Australia-wide and international Mission. This has been possible through partnering with schools and Catholic Education/Schools Offices who now contribute financially towards the formation provided. This also ensures that we deliver

Cover artwork: The Creation of Adam, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

Catholic Mission Annual Report 2009

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Catholic Mission - Truly Worldwide In more than 160 countries, Catholic Mission works to provide children with housing, education and care; assists communities in specific local projects; funds Church leadership through the training of over 77,000 seminarians.

Catholic Mission is the oldest Catholic mission aid agency.

It was founded more than 185 years ago in France by Pauline Jaricot, a young lay woman.

We are the Pope’s own mission societies. Internationally we are known as the Pontifical Mission Societies, each area of work is known as a society.

Our work with communities is known as the Propagation of the Faith, our work with Church Leaders is known as St Peter Apostle, our work with Children is known as Children’s Mission.

Last year we helped over 2.66 million children around the world. We do not discriminate by race or religion.

All children in the community benefit.

Our regular giving programs start from $15 per month. We have programs for our work with Church Leaders, Communities and Children. The administration cost for the regular giving programs are much lower than for one-off donations, which means more money goes directly to the projects.

Catholic Mission’s GIG (Getting Involved Globally) program is designed to introduce Australians to life in the majority world through immersion experiences which are held regularly.

The allocation of project funding for each country internationally is a democratic process, with each country around the world having a vote.

In Australia, Catholic Mission allocates funds to the work of the Church in Outback Australia and with the Aboriginal people, supporting priests, lay people and the many religious sisters and brothers who provide long term support for the communities.

Catholic Mission is the only Catholic organisation with global works specifically dedicated to children.

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The United Nations has a list of 60 priority countries for child survival. Catholic Mission internationally has current projects in at least 55 of these.

Every day the people we are assisting have to cope with extreme poverty, dramatic climate change, HIV/AIDS, persecution from military dictatorships and extremists, racial and religious wars, and the loss of family ties and land to commercial exploitation.

For more information on the work that is supported by Catholic Mission, log onto our website www.catholicmission.org.au or freecall 1800 257 296

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Catholic Mission in Africa The global financial meltdown of 2008 ignites the financial districts of New York and London and spreads across the world, even to the smallest village. Africa, of all the continents, feels the tightening of donors the most. Drought, flood and famine add to the bitter harvest. Pope Benedict XVI visits Cameroon and Angola.

During the African Synod, a Rwandan nun who lost her family in the 1994 genocide embraces the man who killed her father. “Only forgiveness brings true reconciliation,” she tells the Bishops.

Nigeria

Nigeria Empowering Women in Bauchi In Nigeria, women face daily struggles providing for their families on meagre incomes. For widows, supporting children can be very difficult without a husband-breadwinner.

In Bauchi Diocese Catholic Mission funds the Women’s Empowerment Group in St James Parish, Gombe. Parish priest Fr John Kean SMA says the women in the group identify themselves as an economic collective ready to break the poverty cycle by learning new skills which add value to their work.

The benefits are obvious, says Fr John: “Increasing the family income means children get to go to school and get medical treatment when they need it. It is a big leap from the harsh reality of simply feeding the family.”

ETHIOPIA In Ethiopia 34,636 children were specifically assisted through Catholic Mission. Countless others were assisted on a needs basis.

NIGER In Niger we assist locals to expand a primary school in the diocese of Niamey where there are currently 425 students. Catholic Mission partners the project with the local community who have raised a third of the costs towards the building.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO A country which is suffering the effects of war. In the Diocese of Basankusu, Democratic Republic of Congo, one project alone assists 10,000 children with basic medication, clothing and schooling. Most of these children are abandoned or war orphans.

Kabulonga Cheshire Home

Zimbabwe Everyday challenges for the Chishawasha Regional Seminary

Zambia

Zimbabwe

The Regional Seminary based in Chishawasha, Zimbabwe is faced with a constant struggle of trying to find adequate food for its ever increasing numbers of students. The living conditions in Zimbabwe mean that so little is available to ordinary people – the seminary is no different.

Students must dig and plant their own crops; this is not just about self-sufficiency, as in other seminaries, it is about survival. There is only intermittent electricity and the students must study at night by candlelight.

They do so willingly, because in a small way, this connects them with their communities and the everyday realities of struggle and hope.

The seminarians at Chishawasha come from all over Zimbabwe and from all walks of life. In order to aid in the healing of their communities, they must learn how to transcend tribal differences and build bridges between the people. They must also overcome their culture’s traditional resistance to celibacy and learn to depend on prayer and mutual support.

Hand knitting has progressed to using a borrowed knitting machine able to produce knitwear in commercial quantities. Knitwear and hand-made soap is then sold in the market. The hope is to develop both income streams into profitable businesses.

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Zambia

KENYA In the diocese of Garissa, Kenya, 300 children in Bura Tana are given breakfast in preparation for the day’s schooling.

Education is central to the group. Basic literacy, catering, knitting, garment making and dyeing techniques, beadwork, soap making are taught to all.

The group plans to build a centre for rural women to stay overnight while they take courses. They already have the land and plan on building as they gather resources.

The women are also concerned about the spread of HIV/ AIDS in their communities. They want to educate as many women about prevention and treatment as possible.

Edwin Sikapita receives necessary physiotherapy at Kabulonga

Seminarians study by candlelight

Edwin Sikapita was born in June 2006 and is a middle child of three. When he was only one month old his parents noticed that he had a disability. He was taken to the Mbala Hospital, in Northern Zambia. Eventually he was referred to the Kabulonga Cheshire Home.

It was the first home of its kind to be opened in Zambia and since beginning in 1973, the home has given services to 1,254 children, including Edwin.

Common conditions found in the home are Cerebral Palsy, Post Polio paralysis, Talipes (Clubfoot), Amputation and Muscular Dystrophy.

Edwin has a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita which is a rare disorder present at birth and characterised by reduced mobility of many joints.

This is the most common form of this disease where the range of joint movements in the arms and legs is limited, or in some cased fixed. Other issues include the inward rotation of the shoulders, extended elbows and bending of wrists and fingers.

When children are brought to the home, they are assessed by physiotherapists and doctors and then recommended for surgery.

Kabulonga deals with physical disabilities, congenital disabilities, mental health problems, epilepsy, learning disabilities, and eye and ear problems. These programs also offer physiotherapy exercises to clients in remote areas who cannot afford to visit the home.

With the advent of HIV/AIDS, the number of other medical problems is growing; for example, nonhealing wounds that may lead to amputation of the limbs. Thus the need for rehabilitation of the children at Kabulonga Home through intensive care is crucial.

Theirs is not an easy life-choice. Priesthood is demanding and can be heartbreaking at times, but these seminarians are not alone. The parishes they serve and the people they reach out to will return the love, support and care that they receive. In the meantime, they need all the support that people such as you can give.

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Catholic Mission in Asia Catholic Mission’s action on social justice reaches out to impoverished and oppressed people to foster leadership and empower local communities. In India, Catholicism is the religion of hope for the ‘untouchables’. In the Philippines, following Cyclone Ketsana the news story released to the world was of one young man’s sacrifice for fellow man – he saves 30 from drowning only to lose his own life. Our Missionaries have incredible stories like these every day; before, during and after tragedies like this.

Myanmar Meet a Seminarian Stephen is a second year seminarian at St Joseph’s Intermediate Minor Seminary in the Archdiocese of Yangon, Myanmar. His priestly vocation began as a boy observing “the prayerful lives and deeds” of priests and studying the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

“Mother Teresa’s ministry in bringing Jesus to nonChristians by caring for outcasts, sick and dying filled me with enthusiasm. With the help of my parents, I made every effort to finish my studies.

“When I am ordained I too hope to guide and help my people, especially the young, so they may understand the true meaning of human life and help to shape this world according to God’s will.

NEPAL In Nepal, Catholic Mission International works with other organisations to assist locals. A boarding house with dormitories, kitchen and bathroom is built in conjunction with a German organisation, giving 120 poor children a school and a home.

India Saving Children from Slavery

Myanmar

But for the lost and vulnerable girls and young women arriving at the railway station the reality can be just the opposite. The charming stranger who befriends them is often the front for a criminal gang which will lead them into a soul-destroying life of prostitution and domestic slavery.

Through the care she receives at Marialaya, Lakshmi’s life prospects are improving. The Salesian sisters have more than 40 Marialaya centres located in Chennai.

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Vietnam

PHILIPPINES The House of Friendship is one home that cares for 36 children. These are formerly street children who are given medical assistance, lodging, schooling and plenty of care. Locals contribute $2,500 to this program which is run by Sister Myrna Virtucio, a Canossian Daughter

One of the leading voices against the trafficking of girls is Sister Clara, a Salesian, who runs Marialaya, a special care home that protects, feeds and educates girls between the ages of four and 18.

Some girls are orphans. Some are from families too poor to provide for them. Some are brought to Marialaya as wards of the state. Since 1990 Marialaya, through its vocational courses, has helped transform the lives of over 2,000 girls.

One of the most recent arrivals is Lakshmi, one of a family of 10 children. Lakshmi’s mother, unable to support her, sold her into domestic slavery as a house cleaner to a Chennai businessman. She was rescued by police after a neighbour reported her mistreatment and physical abuse.

Stephen’s pastoral training included disaster relief after the Cyclone Nargis disaster of May 2008. “At the seminary we were badly hit by Nargis. It ripped off roofs, tore up trees, all the roads were blocked by fallen trees and pylons. Many were killed or lost their property.

“Survivors needed food, clean water, medicines and shelter. Diseases like dysentery spread among the victims. I learned many lessons then, above all else what St Matthew said – ‘We do not know when we are to leave this world, so we need to be ready!’”

India

In 2011 the population of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, will peak at 10 million. This thriving city is a magnet that attracts the rural poor with expectations of a better life.

“I am the sixth of nine children. My parents have always been good Catholics, devout and observant in going to Mass and adorations. My father was taught by French missionary priests so our family always prayed together and strove to live the true Christian life.”

SRI LANKA Sometimes our projects don’t assist hundreds of kids, just a handful, like schools for children with special needs. In one school 15 deaf children are given an education, along with life skills.

Without this program they would live a life of isolation.

Vietnam Thirty children and counting The Charitable Home Centre is located in one of the poorest dioceses in Vietnam. Run by Sister Mary Nguyen Thi Than Mai, the centre affirms the Catholic faith’s belief that all children are precious gifts from God. For children who are orphaned, disabled or abandoned by their families, the centre is a caring home. Coming from a poor background herself, for nearly 40 years Sister Mary has ministered to the local people with deep understanding and compassion for their needs.

Last year into the Charitable Home Centre arrived two delightful new additions: one month-old twins, Mary and Joseph. The twins might never have known life had their 15 year-old mother taken the option of an abortion. Instead, she went to the sisters for help. They immediately took her in.

Today the twins are healthy babies and their mother has since returned to her studies.

Currently there are six sisters, 10 volunteers and six pregnant women caring for 30 abandoned babies and children with disabilities. But as the need is great, so Sister Mary hopes to grow the centre to accommodate 200 children.

It costs $4,665 (AUD) a month to keep the centre running, let alone to extend it.

Beyond caring for the children in the Charitable Home Centre, the sisters’ ministry includes cooking daily meals and visitations to the sick in the local hospitals.

Another program is reuniting children who have disabilities with their families, and providing ongoing assistance to keep the family unit together.

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Catholic Mission in Oceania

Catholic Mission in the Americas

The raging bushfires of “Black Friday” ravages Australia’s garden state. The ensuing inferno destroys all before it, killing 173 people. As Australians we came together to help our brothers and sisters in their greatest need. Catholic Mission does this with our remote Australian communities in what is known as the ‘Home Mission Fund’, funding projects in the Outback and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.

Every project that is supported by Catholic Mission must have some form of local contribution. Not only does this enable projects to get off the ground, it gives the local people a real sense of pride in their achievements and ownership. It can be anything from providing the labour, to assisting with food for the builders.

Jamaica Holy Spirit Foundation

Jamaica

Timor Leste

Papua New Guinea

The birth of a new nation and seminary

Water Tanks for Wewak

Following the successful independence referendum on 30 August 1999, while still under the United Nations interim administration, planning was taking place with vision for the new country.

In the Diocese of Wewak in Papua New Guinea, Catholic Mission’s work with Communities has helped fund the supply of much needed water tanks in the community schools and churches.

In preparation for independence the then Bishop of Dili, Bishop Belo (Nobel Peace Laureate in 1996) and Bishop Basilio of Baucau decided to set up Timor Leste’s own major seminary, realising early the importance of Timorese priests for the new Timor Leste.

In one parish storms had destroyed the old galvanised steel water tanks. In schools the lack of water tanks meant there was no water ‘on tap’ for the students working in the hot and humid conditions.

The first group of 17 seminarians were ordained in 2006, followed by 15 more in 2007 and another four in 2008.

Natolino Gusmao is 25 years old and in his final year of studies at the major seminary. He has completed three years of philosophy and three years of theology.

During the crisis following the referendum in 1999 Natolino took refuge for three weeks in Kupan, West Timor, and was in the first group of refugees to return to Dili after the InterFET forces arrived.

Jamaica is a country still fighting the effects of slavery with 70 per cent of the population currently unemployed or underemployed. Education is a challenge for poor families with children not receiving systemic education.

Five years ago Fr Marek Bzinkowski started an education program for two young girls in the community, providing sandwiches and a little money for transportation. As the need was so great, the following year there were 30 children in the program.

Fr Marek believes that the whole family is responsible for helping the children receive an education, so everyone is asked to pitch in. There is a field where they have planted 1200 plum trees, 150 orange trees, 150 okee trees and 2000 hot pepper plants. Once a semester the parents or guardians work on the plantation for the needs of the community.

Moisha is one of 130 children in the Mandeville Diocese attending the program, along with three of her siblings.

Their mother is unemployed, suffers from health issues and is raising six children on her own. Moisha is a quiet and pleasant girl who likes reading and is often at the library exchanging books. She likes maths and games, and loves making new friends. Her teachers say she is a bright student and does well in class.

The new tanks are made of durable plastic and have a much longer life expectancy than the old metal tanks.

The quality of life for the local people has markedly improved as a result.

She would like to continue with school and move onto higher education, and have a future where she doesn’t have to worry about having bread on the table.

Catholic Mission has also donated monies towards the upkeep of church buildings in Wewak. Termites and dry rot have taken their toll on churches built by the early missionaries, so Catholic Mission assists with funding to repair, restore and paint several churches each year.

Like many young people in Timor Leste with its troubled history Natolino speaks many languages: Portuguese, Tetum, Bahasa Indonesia and English, as well as Spanish. Natolino did his first year of spirituality in Dare, a minor seminary where Xanana Gusmao also had studied.

“What really keeps me giving in my life is that I feel compassion for my people, and their pain and suffering. We still have a vision of hope. I will confirm and help realise our vision with our faith in God.

BOLIVIA In the Diocese of Nuflo De Chavez, Bolivia, 40 children are provided with afterschool care. This is an area prone to flooding resulting in many preventable deaths. These children are given equipment, games and food in an afterschool care environment. Parents who need to work to support their families can now afford care for their children.

“I have suffered much in my life. In Ossu (parish) I did my pastoral experience for one year, walking to many villages, at times up to five hours to reach one village.

“I find that the people really need the real presence of God. They can love God better when we direct the way and teach them. My conviction is to be a prophet in this day. Faith will always be an eternal necessity for all people of the world.”

Fr Domingo with seminarian Natolino Gusmao 8 Catholic Mission Annual Report 2009

URUGUAY In the Diocese of Montivideo, a multipurpose building is being built with the assistance of Catholic Mission International. 220 children will benefit with a library and five smaller meeting rooms. These will be used for education and catechism classes.

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Education Report

Fundraising Report

Reach Out. Give Life! The World Mission Month 2009 Appeal challenged Australians to engage in global mission, to reach out and be life-givers to people who are affected by adversity and hardship.

“Global Financial Crisis” echoed in our ears for most of 2009. More than 60% of Australian non-profit organisations reported a drop in fundraising income.1 However, concern about the potential impact on Catholic Mission’s fundraising results were unfounded, thanks to the generous gifts from many faithful supporters.

Our theme resonated deeply with the canonisation of St Damien of Molokai which occurred on 11 October.

Mission Month diocesan events and launches were held around the country, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Wollongong. A reflection on the mission of the Church was promoted through public lectures presented by Divine Word Missionary Father Roger Schroeder in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Getting Involved Globally Parishioners are given an opportunity to grow in global awareness through Catholic Mission’s immersion program “Getting Involved Globally” (GIG). In December, 15 participants visited Timor Leste, engaging with parish and youth workers, the Marist Catholic Teaching College in Baucau, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and staying with local families.

Village Space This program which began in 2002 has become a powerful dramatic vehicle for the message of Global Mission and Justice.

The performance dealt with the issue of global climate change and its effects on the daily lives of the world’s vulnerable peoples. It ranged across the experiences of Inuit people in the Arctic Circle, to flooding in Bangladesh, rising sea levels in Oceania, drought in Australia, to the impact bio-fuel production is causing on food prices in Brazil and Mexico. Participants were challenged to respond to such complex realities with actions inspired by the Gospel.

Village Space also successfully toured through New South Wales, the ACT and southern Queensland.

Eighty one performances took place in 75 schools, with seven in outside venues. The total audience exceeded 12,000 people.

Village Space’s justice message impacted strongly on students and teachers alike. Reactions were spontaneous and heartfelt: “It was very heart-breaking to see that children could not have a happy life like we do and not go to school. They have to work to make a living. Thank you Catholic Mission for opening our eyes and helping us realise that we are very lucky here in Australia.”

- Annabelle Pender, age 11 years

children first!

Catholic Mission produced the schools’ resource All Children are Sacred, which was distributed to all Australian Catholic primary and secondary schools.

The resource kit (booklet and CD-ROM) explores the theme “All Children are Sacred so why are they scavenging for food; sleeping on the street; or dying because there is no medicine?” The resource is supported by United Nations’ statistics on children, with details on Catholic Mission projects around the world. The CD-ROM also provides interactivity, linking back to Catholic Mission’s website (www.catholicmission.org.au).

Advocacy for Children and on Indigenous Issues This year saw the role of Advocacy Coordinator for Children and Indigenous Peoples incorporated into the role of Education Officer.

The Officer participated in a Children’s Rights program in Bangkok, on the United Nations Human Rights reporting process. This gave opportunities to develop relationships with other international children’s rights organisations, including NGOs recognised at the UN. Key areas of work have been identified within Catholic Mission where we can contribute at the national and international levels in promoting Children’s rights and Child Protection.

Catholic Mission also sponsored the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Conference in September. Nationally, Catholic Mission staff supported the distribution of liturgy materials used on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday.

The focus in 2009 was on investing in sustainable, cost-effective fundraising strategies that build strong relationships with supporters. We are very grateful to the many people who have become regular monthly donors to our Friends in Faith and Children’s Mission Partners programs. Our work training church leaders is an area of concern given the worldwide shortage of priests and declining funds to train them, so greater attention will be given to the Seminarian Supporters and Leaders for Life regular giving programs in the coming year.

Your support is a gift – a gift that reaches out to missionary leaders, children and communities in 160 countries of the world, including remote regions of Australia. This year’s Catholic Mission Church Appeal focused on the life-changing work of Sr Barbara Tippolay in the Tiwi Islands. Dioceses like Darwin and Broome depend on our support to build stronger communities in areas with special challenges. Your support sends the message that they are not alone, that you are a partner with them in their vital service.

Unfortunately parish giving was down overall this year; however World Mission Month parish appeal results were heartening with parishes giving 18% more than the year before. The appeal focused on the work of the Catholic Church with people affected by leprosy, as they continue the legacy of St Damien of Molokai.

Saint Damien continues to inspire others to reach out to those who are ostracised and to show Christ’s kindness in action. Giving to and promoting the World Mission Month Appeal showed that such kindness was active amongst thousands of parishioners, priests, media agencies and school communities.

The needs continue. Internationally only half of what is requested by mission dioceses is able to be funded, despite the mission dioceses already making significant local contributions through labour, materials or other funds. Local parishes provide the hospitals, schools, homes and livelihood for millions of people, and rely on the partnership with Catholic Mission supporters to give them a better future.

Leaving a lasting legacy is one way to ensure that support continues for generations to come. While bequest income was down by 36%, more supporters became members to the Fellowship of St Thérèse of Lisieux. The Fellowship is a special group of Catholic Mission supporters who have chosen to remember Catholic Mission in their Will.

When times are tough, it is important more than ever to reach out in generosity to those in more difficult circumstances. Through extending a hand of kindness, Catholic Mission supporters have partnered with parish communities to empower people through improved health, education, livelihood and spiritual support. The outcome: people living longer and able to support themselves without stigma; children being nurtured in loving homes; priests being trained to serve in troubled countries; whole communities witnessing Christ’s love through the practical, faithful action of humble missionaries. We thank God for you.

“Managing in a Downturn” report released in July 2009 by the PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Fundraising Institute of Australia and the Centre for Social Impact.

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This support continued with gifts to Catholic Mission’s direct mail appeals resulting in income growth of 31%. The difference this will make to the work of missionaries in countries like India, the Philippines and remote Australian communities is substantial.

Also encouraging is that many supporters gave as they could in addition to helping people affected by the natural disasters in the Asia Pacific. Words do not express our gratitude enough! Whether large or small, every donation gives life.

CSYMA Catholic Mission signed an agreement in 2009 with Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) to be the national partner for the program. CSYMA is a leadership program in mission for secondary students. Fourteen schools implemented the four phase program for Years 9 to 12 in the Canberra/ Goulburn, Sale, Sandhurst and Tasmania dioceses.

Another 18 schools and 11 youth organisations have joined the broader information network. A two day National Conference was held in September in Canberra with 122 participants.

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Finance Report

For Catholic Mission it is always ‘The Year of The Priest’...

Year ended 30 November 2008 2009 distribution by Australia from funds raised in 2008

Home Mission Fund distribution in 2009 by Diocese

Funds raised by works in 2009

AUD

Working with Children Bangladesh Bolivia Ecuador Eritrea Ethiopia India Jamaica Malawi New Caledonia The Philippines Sierra Leone Solomon Islands South Africa St Vincent Sudan Thailand Uganda Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe Total Disbursements Working with Communities Antilles Bolivia Ethiopia India Indonesia Noumea

Tarawa-Nauru Total Disbursements

171,305 96,734 147,555 95,385 122,769 1,096,000 72,600 183,231 9,938 170,292 15,407 29,953 105,077 52,774 89,231 113,310 228,296 189,845 206,135 154,000 3,349,837

243,935 398,187 1,023,455 993,538 407,618

234,258 550,766 785,024

Comparative figures for the total distributions only have been included in this report.

Variation due to rounding.

Total Overseas Disbursements

Armidale Broome Cairns Darwin Geraldton Port Pirie Rockhampton Sale Toowoomba Townsville Wilcannia-Forbes PALMS TOTAL

12,000 875,000 50,000 375,000 140,000 50,000 50,000 5,000 7,000 150,000 50,000 40,000 1,804,000

Total Overseas Disbursements Home Mission Fund TOTAL

7,463,469 1,804,000 9,267,469

Money distributed through Pontifical Mission Societies internationally from 2008 funds AUD

Working with Children Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania Total Disbursements

17,715,857 1,239,606 9,687,551 269,934 530,009 29,442,956

Working with Communities Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania Total Disbursements

66,136,678 5,050,066 36,396,314 1,889,150 3,708,215 113,180,423

96,267

165,607 3,328,609

Working with Church Leaders New Guinea Thailand Total Disbursements

AUD

7,463,469

Working with Church Leaders Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania Special subsidies Total Disbursements

23,780,458 605,484 8,838,228 97,450 505,951 3,444,897 37,272,468

(Conversion from USD to AUD: 1 AUD = 0.932412 USD) La Pontifica Cooperazione Missionaria e la Solidarieta’ Tra le Chiese Rapporto 2007/2008

2008 AUD

Working With Communities Working With Children Working With Church Leaders Special Purpose Appeal Other TOTAL

7,130,019 6,992,296 4,729,842 4,516,098 784,978 932,635 203,039 53,025 57,362 83,500 12,577,553 12,905,240

Gross Income by Diocese for 2009 Diocese

Adelaide Armidale Ballarat Bathurst Brisbane Broken Bay Broome Bunbury Cairns Can/Goulb Darwin Geraldton Hobart Lismore Maitland Melbourne Parramatta Perth Port Pirie Rockhampton Sale Sandhurst Sydney Toowoomba Townsville Wagga Wagga Wilc-Forbes Wollongong Others TOTAL

310,812 271,057 73,527 78,170 99,798 109,293 90,155 92,581 1,136,988 1,046,846 588,345 585,050 9,697 10,391 107,922 148,981 109,501 112,984 346,804 335,852 47,975 36,912 37,895 25,359 75,345 66,531 190,562 275,119 480,136 808,002 3,800,302 3,204,553 692,818 514,724 1,262,751 1,219,380 100,213 92,628 161,200 97,234 61,370 62,242 115,124 134,021 1,775,386 1,975,183 195,201 317,890 83,296 124,785 144,169 146,652 17,653 21,233 732,931 580,401 57,362 83,500 12,577,553 12,905,240

In his ministry the priest will have many roles - community leader, evangeliser, pastoral carer, advocate and teacher. Above all else, it is the priest who offers the sacrifice of the Mass, the foundation of all Catholic communities. On thousands of altars every day the priest’s celebration of the Mass ensures that Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is renewed and repeated... until the end of time.

There could be no priesthood without the years of preparation a candidate receives in the seminary.

Seminaries are the lifeblood of priesthood. Today Catholic Mission supports over 900 seminaries around the world.

Of these, 474 minor seminaries and 350 major seminaries are wholly dependent on funding provided through Catholic Mission.

Together, Catholic Mission currently supports over 77,000 seminarians in Africa, America, Asia and Oceania.

Nearly 1,800 priests are ordained each year because they were financially supported through their seminary years by Catholic Mission.

If you were to say a prayer for each one of our seminarians you would need to say a prayer every 6.8 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

That’s 77,000 seminarians.

Allocation of 2009 Income Funds distributable for overseas Funds distributable for HMF Community Education Special Purpose Appeal Withdrawal from Reserves Special Project Cost Abnormal expenses Net operating expenses TOTAL Percentage of net operating expenses over total income

12 Catholic Mission Annual Report 2009

2009 AUD

7,837,948 7,742,759 1,764,434 1,804,000 679,206 1,733,260 41,214 109,354 (381,171) (1,055,292) (61,954) 1,412 2,635,922 2,631,701 12,577,553 12,905,240

20.39% 13

Dates to remember:

Catholic Mission Freecall 1800 257 296 National Office PO Box 1668 North Sydney NSW 2059 Phone: 02 9919 7800 Fax: 02 8904 0185 Website: www.catholicmission.org.au Email: admin@catholicmission.org.au ABN: 52 945 927 066

October th Mission Mon

Your Local Diocesan Director: Adelaide Mr James Evans 08 8210 8199

Melbourne Mr Kevin Meese 03 9639 1344

Armidale Fr Ross O’Brien 02 6771 3517

Parramatta Mr Eddie Leszczynski 0407 311 163

Ballarat Ms Sue Searls 0408 654 223

Perth Mr Francis Leong 08 9422 7933

Bathurst Mr Glenn Smith 02 6331 7544

Port Pirie Fr Arno Vermeeren 08 8645 8023

Brisbane Mr David McGovern 07 3336 9239

Rockhampton Rev Fr John Grace 07 4931 3670

Broken Bay

Ms Lana Turvey 02 9919 7800

Sale Mrs Susan Grout 03 5174 0587

Broome

Sandhurst

1800 257 296

1800 257 296

Bunbury

Sydney

c/- Mr Francis Leong 08 9422 7933

Ms Lana Turvey 02 9919 7800

Cairns Mrs Mary Twomey 07 4046 5636

Toowoomba

Canberra/Goulburn Rev Deacon Joe Blackwell 02 6163 4321

Townsville

Darwin Mrs Anne Harding 08 8942 6005

Wagga Wagga

Geraldton Ms Tricia Rogers 08 9964 2716

Wilcannia/Forbes

Hobart c/- Mr Kevin Meese 03 9639 1344

Wollongong

Lismore Mr John Griffiths 02 6628 7307 Maitland Mr Barry Urwin 02 4979 1142

Beatrice Lucas 07 4637 1508 Sr Therese Marie Fleming sgs 07 4726 3253

Saint Mary MacKillop 17 Oct

(note – Mother Mary wa s part of a Mission outre ach station herself )

Children ’s Mission Day 27 Oct

Ms Cathy Carroll 02 6937 0013 Ms Mary Kenyon 02 6853 9300 Mr Michael Deasy 02 4284 0970 National Office

Mr Martin Teulan National Director 1800 257 296

International Day for Abolition of Slavery 2 Dec a) (send let ter to Sr Clar

World Mission Day 24 Oct