Our Work Explained

As the Australian agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), Catholic Mission is a part of an international Papal network committed to Mission around the world. We take a holistic approach in working alongside our partners to deliver a range of life-giving projects.

Vatican Allocations

These are assigned to Catholic Mission through the Universal Solidarity Fund (USF). Dioceses and religious congregations around the world can apply to the USF to receive support. This work is categorised as follows: Work with Communities (Society of the Propagation of the Faith)

Founded by Pauline Jaricot in 1822, this Society supports local churches to provide support for the day-today running of parishes and dioceses. These projects support the young Church by funding construction, healthcare, and pastoral services, while also supporting lay catechists with resources and compensation. The support provided also focuses on respecting recipients’ dignity and promoting independence.

Work with Children (Society of the Holy Childhood)

Founded by Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson in 1843, these projects seek to ensure children all over the world access the care they deserve. Work includes supporting schools, rehabilitation centres, health and nutrition programs, and care for pregnant mothers.

Work with Church Leaders (Society of Saint Peter Apostle)

Founded by Jeanne Bigard in 1889, this work supports the future of religious life around the world. Many of these projects work with seminarians and novices throughout their initial stages of formation for religious life. These emerging leaders will walk with their communities, offering guidance and advocating for those in need.

Direct Allocations

These partnerships are formed through the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), or by a partner reaching out of their own accord, often to a local Bishop, who connects them to Catholic Mission. Like all of our projects, we aim to build local capacity and address immediate needs. We help our partners achieve goals and activities to meet project outcomes and have regular conversations to ensure they are supported through the process.

Work in Australia

Projects in Australia are based in dioceses across the country which seek to build relationships with and support their communities. In consultation with the local Bishop and personnel projects are selected based on criteria including having a high percentage of Indigenous Peoples in the community or the project supports those in remote rural location. Currently, projects are funded in the dioceses of Geraldton, Port Pirie, Wilcannia-Forbes, Townsville, Darwin and Broome.

Impact Investing

Building upon the success of our Vatican and direct allocations, impact investing focuses on income generation, sustainability, and generational impact. Your gift to our Impact Investing Program is sown into a budding income-generating project for a period of time, and as the project earns revenue and becomes more sustainable, is reinvested in another new or growing, yet life-changing, project.

We have already seen great success in our impact investing project at Phnom Voah Farm in Cambodia. The initial funds were used by the Vicariate of Phnom Penh to purchase the property neighbouring its existing land, adding eight hectares to the farm. In 2022 alone the farm generated $137,033.74 USD* in income from product sales and ecotourism. The excess income being generated is already being redistributed to other life-changing projects as you can see on page 18.

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