2020‑21 ANNUAL REPORT
This image: Local women tend to the field in a Catholic Mission supported community farming project in Ethiopia. Cover image: Sharing the blessing: In Cambodia, the local Catholic community gathered for the blessing of a home.
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Published: August 2021 by Catholic Mission
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Catholic Mission acknowledges that we live and work on the land of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respect to the ever‑present spirituality of Elders past and present. Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – This publication may contain images or references to those that have passed.
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
CONTENTS We are Mission: People, Organisation, Culture
page 4
Fundraising Report
page 14
National Director’s Report
page 5
Programs Report
page 15
Catholic Mission’s Work in Mission Formation and Education
Communications and Media Report
page 16
page 6
Catholic Mission’s Work with Children
Immersions Report
page 17
page 8
Financial Report
page 18
Catholic Mission’s Work with Communities
page 10
Catholic Mission’s Work with Church Leaders
page 12
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
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WE ARE MISSION
People, Organisation, Culture Our Vision:
Our Mission:
That all may have life in Christ.
As the Pope’s international mission agency, we respond to the call to love God and to love our neighbour by forming individuals and communities as missionary disciples of Jesus who share their faith in action and through prayer.
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
We share in God’s mission to reach out, give life by sharing our personal and financial resources to: • proclaim the Gospel • serve people in need • act for peace, justice and creation in partnership with local churches so that all may have life in Christ.
“Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)
Our people
Kevin Meese
Jenny Collins‑White
Zenaida Erlano
Melbourne Diocesan Director Twenty‑five years at Catholic Mission “Over my 25 years with Catholic Mission, I’ve been incredibly blessed to have worked with great people. Our call to ‘Reach Out, Give Life’ gives me the focus for my work. I’m very aware that my work connects donors with people who are the grateful beneficiaries of our generosity. We have that privileged role of accompanying them whilst helping others.”
Manager – Mission Formation Twenty years at Catholic Mission “When people ask me do I enjoy my job, I always say enjoy is not the right word as the job brings me face‑to‑face with a lot of dark and difficult global realities. It’s more that at Catholic Mission my life purpose can be most fully expressed, so that’s why I’m still here.”
Donor Services Co‑ordinator Fifteen years at Catholic Mission “My role in Catholic Mission fills me with hope, for the people we help and support, for the unfortunate and those in need. The work we do changes lives, for children, communities, and our church leaders. In my work, I can participate in helping people. I have an opportunity to talk and hear the donor’s sincerity in helping others.”
Anniversaries Start year
Name
Years with Catholic Mission
Start year
Name
Years with Catholic Mission
1996
Mr Kevin Meese
25
2016
Mr Patrick Fox
5
2001
Ms Jenny Collins‑White
20
2016
Mr Greg Clair
5
2006
Mrs Zenaida Erlano
15
2016
Dr Deborah Robertson
5
2016
Fr Brian Lucas
5
2016
Mr Luke Tobin
5
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Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
NATIONAL DIRECTOR’S
Report
It is my privilege to present this Annual Report which gives a brief outline of the work of Catholic Mission during the past year. I am grateful to Cardinal Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, for appointing me to a second five‑year term as National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) known here in Australia as Catholic Mission. This past financial year has been like no other. The global pandemic of COVID‑19 has had a dramatic impact locally and has been catastrophic for many of our mission partners around the world. The work of Catholic Mission is to provide prayerful and material support especially in those places where the Church is a minority, faces persecution, or lacks the material resources that we in Australia are grateful to be able to access. Our initiative to promote the pilgrimage of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents was cut short when the pandemic closed churches here in Australia. Nevertheless, we have had encouraging feedback about the positive impact the pilgrimage had on local communities.
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
Our Communications team worked collaboratively with other countries to produce a video themed #WeAreStillHere, which has now been distributed widely and translated into multiple languages “from Arabic to Zulu”. It reinforces the message that missionaries are still engaged with their communities notwithstanding the challenges of the pandemic.
opportunity that will promote even greater international cooperation for years to come.
I am especially grateful to all the staff who showed great resilience and flexibility with the challenge of COVID‑19 shutdowns and working from home.
Yours in Christ,
Australia was invited by the Pontifical Missionary Union to lead a major international conference on communication and fundraising which was eventually held virtually with over 220 participants for 15 hours over five days, spanning 18 time zones. The ease of technology is certainly changing how we do things. It was a unique
The stories of the projects contained in this report are it just a snapshot of the extraordinary commitment of you, our supporters, who share your faith as missionary disciples. Thank you for all that you do.
Fr Brian Lucas National Director Part of the international Pontifical Mission Societies/Missio network •Propagation of the Faith • Children’s Mission • St Peter Apostle
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CATHOLIC MISSION’S
Work in Mission Formation and Education Jenny Collins‑White Mission Formation Manager
The Mission Formation team carries the work of the Pontifical Missionary Union to transform hearts and minds to live the joy of the Gospel and lead mission. We facilitate opportunities to encounter God in the world through an immersive, interactive pedagogy of dialogue, encounter and experience which engages the whole person.
The Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU) is the society of the Pontifical Mission Societies that seeks to affirm Pope Francis’ call for renewal. ‘May the missionary ardour that consumed Blessed Paolo Manna, and from which the Pontifical Missionary Union flowed, continue still today to burn, to impassion, to renew, to rethink and to reform the service that the work is called to offer the whole Church. Your Union must not be the same next year as this year; it must change in this direction, it must be converted to this missionary passion.’ Pope Francis’ Address to the Superior Council of the Pontifical Mission Societies, June 2016. The Mission Formation team carries the work of the PMU to transform hearts and minds to live the joy of the Gospel and lead mission. We facilitate opportunities to encounter God in the world through an immersive, interactive pedagogy of dialogue, encounter and experience which engages the whole person. Our formation and education programs and resources have local and global perspective and include: • International and Indigenous immersions for students and adults; • Engaging workshops and international guest speakers on mission for school students; • World Mission Month resources for students, teachers and catechists;
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• Advocacy in support of children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; • Professional development and learning programs of contextual mission for adults and leaders working in Catholic organisations, institutions and agencies across sectors of health, social services, education and diocesan local church. This includes a biennial mission leadership conference.
Adult Formation and Professional Development The strong partnership with Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDOW) has continued throughout the financial year. The headlining program Educating with A Mission Lens, now in its sixth year, consists of six modules spanning three years. The 2021 program is set to engage teams within the CEDOW office, as well with 16 schools, which is almost half the number of schools in the Diocese of Wollongong. This represents almost 1,000 teaching and other school staff engaging in formation with this program. Work on developing similar partnerships with other dioceses is well underway but has faced challenges with ongoing border closures and lockdowns. Catholic Mission continues to play a critical facilitation role with the Plenary Council via Deputy National Director, Peter Gates, and Sr Marion Gambin, who has joined the Mission Formation team
Learn more about our work with mission formation and education
on a part‑time basis this year. This work represents a vital partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). Again, due to COVID‑19 restrictions, both the Plenary Council, and Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia’s biennial Mission: One Heart, Many Voices conference have had to transition to online forums and are now scheduled for October and September 2021, respectively.
The Interculturality Program The Interculturality Program is designed to build cultural awareness and develop cross‑cultural skills to help participants live and work more effectively in multicultural communities. COVID‑19 has affected this area of work with most of the clients requesting a face‑to‑face experience, therefore most have elected to wait for the end of restrictions to reschedule the planned work. A business plan and promotional materials have been developed for 2021 and promotion activities are being rolled out, targeting multicultural religious congregations and multicultural dioceses, with the aim of possible training sessions in 2021. A new development in Mission Formation is training in “Facilitation for Adult Learning” which arose from a direct request from the Diocese of Wollongong. Three half‑days have been carried out since April 2020 with a final session in September.
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
The Interfaith program was co-developed and piloted with 60 senior students from Unity Grammar in Austral and St Patrick’s Marist College in Dundas. The program has had positive support from all stakeholders and is looking to build on the initial success of this program in the future.
Schools Formation Programs and World Mission Month Web‑based interactive educational resources for World Mission Month (October) were launched online on July 1, 2020. In October 2020, the focus was on Cambodia and the work of the Church with children with disabilities, largely due to landmine injuries. Interactive classroom workshops and activities are also an important feature of our mission education programs across the country.
Advocacy Catholic Mission’s advocacy work in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has focused on the Community Catechist leadership program. Several stakeholder meetings were held throughout the year leading up to the first meeting of all stakeholders in Alice Springs on 20 March 2021. A pilot program is being developed in Alice Springs with the local elders, Divine Word Missionaries, Catholic Mission and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council.
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
The organisation’s work to protect children focuses on advocating for an end to immigration detention of children via the End Child Detention Coalition Australia Ltd (ECDC) which was founded by Catholic Mission. Whilst children are largely out of detention in Nauru and on the mainland, there is still no legislative protection that ensures they will remain out of locked detention facilities. ECDC continued the work of seeking legislative change, offering webinars featuring expert health and legal specialists plus promoting the new Community Refugee Sponsorship Initiative. Catholic Mission has also made steady progress on developing its Ecological Action Plan, and Reconciliation Action Plan.
Interfaith Program The research, pilot and evaluation phases of the Interfaith program were completed by the end of 2020. The program developed a relationship between cohorts of students at two secondary colleges – one Muslim college Unity Grammar in Austral, NSW, and one Catholic college, St Patricks Marist College in Dundas, NSW. All stakeholders have been extremely positive about the program and are looking forward to 2021 which will see a steady uptake of the program with some additional partners. The teaching and learning modules, promotional materials, Memorandum of Understanding and the business plan have all been finalised.
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CATHOLIC MISSION’S
Work with Children
$1.1M
distributed to children’s programs
87
projects supported in 18 countries
Catholic Mission’s annual Christmas Appeal in 2020 focused on the work of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and supporting the education of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. A special scholarship program has been created to ensure that children who are orphaned or whose parents cannot afford to send them to school, are able to access quality education.
73,326
children supported through Catholic Mission programs*
Learn more about our work with children
The Lideta Catholic Cathedral School (LCCS) in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, is proud to support children completing their education to help set themselves up for a bright future. Catholic Mission partners with the school, through the Society of the Holy Childhood, to ensure that vulnerable children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds can access quality education to help build a bright future. “For the students, this is a golden opportunity to access a scholarship to one of the best schools in the country,” says Sr Carmen Sammut SJA, who manages the scholarship program at LCCS. “The ethical formation of the school impacts students positively and helps them to become good citizens, educated and give back to the community.” Many families struggle in Ethiopia’s capital city due to a high cost of living
and limited job opportunities, and many parents are unable to cover basic costs such as school fees for their children. Currently studying in Grade 6, 11‑year‑old Kaleb^ has seen how the scholarships have helped his family and his older sister continuing her studies though to university.
He hopes to follow her footsteps to success. Kaleb’s mother struggles to cover the school fees for her children, but the scholarships have helped to ease the burden. “Education is vital for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them create bright futures and break out of the cycle of poverty,“ says Fr Brian Lucas.
*Number supported through Australian distributions ^Name changed to protect identity
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Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
Many families struggle in Ethiopia’s capital city due to a high cost of living and limited job opportunities, and many parents are unable to cover basic costs such as school fees for their children. “Kaleb is just one of many children at the LCCS who can access education through the support of the schools’ scholarship program.” “The generous spirit of Catholic Mission donors towards sustaining this program, and many other similar programs, reach out to children in need around the world. The gift of education is a gift for life.” Principal of LCCS, Fr Tekle Mekonnen is passionate about the work of the school supporting the education of children in need in Ethiopia’s capital. “We promote integral human promotion and at the same time we strive for educational excellence,” he says. “We want to be a school with quality education and at the same time, integrate Christian values and principles. That is our main objective.”
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
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CATHOLIC MISSION’S
Work with Communities
$5.1M
74
distributed to community programs
projects in 14 countries
The Arrupe Centre run by Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez (pictured, next page) in the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang in north‑west Cambodia was the focus of Catholic Mission’s work with communities. For over 20 years, the Church has been working to advocate for people with disability and empowering those in need.
Started in 2001 by Bishop Enrique Figardeo Alvargonzalez, the Centre provides education, healthcare and support for children and young adults with disability due to landmine incidents or other illnesses such as polio or cancer. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this support can be life‑changing,” says Fr Brian Lucas. The program is critical in providing learning and growth opportunities for children and young adults with a disability. Dara^ is an amazing example of how this support can be life-changing. When he was 11, Dara lost his right hand and most of his sight following a landmine accident. Unexploded landmines still litter the countryside where he lives, in the rural village of Koh Kralar. For the past two years, Dara has been living at the Arrupe Centre. He is learning Braille, continuing his schooling, and making many friends.
1,499
catechists supported through Catholic Mission programs*
Learn more about our work with communities
Chen, also a landmine survivor, lost both his legs when he was 16. Unable to finish school or help his parents on the family farm, his prospects were low. The accident caused Chen to face the reality that his life will never be the same. His parents, who already struggled for money, suddenly faced new challenges in caring for their son. “But thanks to the Arrupe Centre, Dara and Chen can lead fulfilling and dignified lives,” says Fr Brian Lucas. Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez’s approach to the vital work carried out at the Arrupe Centre is guided by his clear sense of mission, “We are here for the common good… and to bring the joy of life everywhere… with hope and joy and happiness,” he says. “We are giving back dignity to these children.”
*Number supported through Australian distributions ^Name changed to protect identity
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Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
“We are here for the common good… and to bring the joy of life everywhere… with hope and joy and happiness.” Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez
Socktober and Schools Continuing our focus on Cambodia, students learnt, advocated, and fundraised for children with disability at the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia through Socktober, Catholic Mission’s community engagement platform for students, teachers, and schools. Soccer, the world game, is used to encourage students to learn more about the reality of living in other parts of the world, where students engage their heads, hearts, and hands to end poverty. Pivoting to a hybrid of home‑based and school‑based learning to accommodate varying lockdown scenarios facing schools across Australia, Socktober in 2020 exceeded income and participation expectations, doubling the amount raised and active schools engaged from 2019. Total school fundraising increased 7%, year on year.
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
The six‑week Socktober Challenge ties in with the core values of the Catholic curriculum: mission and social justice. “Over 200 schools have already signed up for Socktober, kicking goals for people in need like Dara and Chen,” says Matt Poynting, Catholic Mission’s National Community Engagement Officer. “One of the most important things to do when we look to support people in need around the world is to first learn their reality. Socktober helps students and their families to do that, while having fun and making a difference.” The Arrupe Centre is just one of the many examples of the global work supported by Catholic Mission.
Learn more about Socktober
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CATHOLIC MISSION’S
Work with Church Leaders
$764 K
distributed to programs for Church leaders
75,365 seminarians supported globally by St Peter the Apostle*
Catholic Mission’s first appeal for the calendar year focuses on the formation and education of future church leaders through our Church leader Appeal. In many areas around the world, seminarians and novices struggle to access resources to help them in their studies to become priests and sisters. Through the support from the Society of Saint Peter Apostle, these faithful men and women are given the support and opportunity to complete their formation and fulfil their vocation.
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projects supported through Catholic Mission programs in 11 countries
Learn more about our work with church leaders
Conflict in war‑torn regions greatly impacts the lives of those in the community. Thankfully, priests can support the faith needs of the community, as well as serve people in practical ways. In early 2021, we featured the story of seminarians like Benjamin^ from St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui, Cameroon, where a rising number of young men are still following their call to the priesthood, despite the backdrop of an ongoing civil war. However, with a rising cost of living, many seminarians like Benjamin cannot afford to continue their studies without help. “I know I have something to contribute. I just want to do something simple, to be of service,” says Benjamin. Since 2016, communities like Benjamin’s in the north‑west of the country have faced ongoing conflict due to government oppression and separatist *986 seminarians supported through Australian distributions ^Name changed to protect identity
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Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
“We hear [gun] shots every day – it is very troubling, traumatic actually. We have to transform this situation and give witness to justice and peace.” – Benjamin attacks between the French and English‑speaking states of Cameroon. Over half a million people from rural communities have become internally displaced, with many fleeing to larger cities to escape the violence. “We hear [gun] shots every day – it is very troubling, traumatic actually. We have to
transform this situation and give witness to justice and peace,” says Benjamin. Witnessing first‑hand the devastation these conflicts have on the people of Cameroon, suffering needlessly due to this violence, Benjamin is desperate to help in some way, and is confident he can become an effective Church leader
for his community and provide support during these challenging times. But Benjamin needs help to continue his seminary formation to complete his spiritual and practical studies. “These young men, studying at St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui, will not only support those in their faith communities but will be advocates for change and carers for all in need,” says Fr Brian Lucas. “In many countries around the world priests often fulfil not only a leadership role for their local parish, but for the wider community,” he says. “The training of priests in the mission territories, especially in places of conflict is an ongoing challenge.”
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
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FUNDRAISING
Report
Adrienne Williams Fundraising Manager
With the arrival of COVID‑19 at the start of 2020, and the impact of the virus being felt by our mission partners and the communities they serve, we were overwhelmed by the compassion, kindness and generosity of our supporters during a time that was also uncertain in Australia. Our donors faithfully continued to be there for our mission partners as Catholic Mission stood beside them in their work, and together, we raised $12.7 million when our partners needed it the most. Appeals In response to the pandemic and its impact on our mission partners and the communities they serve, we launched a digital emergency appeal to raise funds for support. The response was overwhelming, and we raised over $106,000 in just one month, seeing both new and very loyal donors give to this appeal. In May, we also pivoted our annual tax appeal to focus on the ongoing impact of COVID‑19 in communities in India, Ethiopia and Thailand, all of which were also in lockdown and struggling to continue to support their students, employees and community members through the pandemic. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised over $1.2 million, exceeding both the total amount raised and number of gifts received in prior years. And we are so thankful that our supporters continued to sow into this vital work at such a critical time, also generously supporting during World Mission Month (October) and at Christmas. In total, our direct mail appeals were up 13% from the prior period in 2019‑20, and this is only due to the commitment of our supporters in such a great time of need. For that, we are thankful.
Regular Giving Consistent with the sector, our monthly giving program remained stable
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throughout the year. Regular giving is such an important part of our fundraising and is one of the most effective ways to give and make an incredible difference. It allows Catholic Mission to forecast and plan ahead to ensure we can continue to support our mission partners. This year, supporters had the opportunity to join two new monthly giving programs: COVID‑19 responses supporting missionaries through the pandemic, and Cambodia Mission Partners, where they could make a regular contribution supporting life‑changing projects for children and communities in Cambodia, making a difference for those in need now and into the future.
Mission Ambassadors As a complement to World Mission Month, the diocesan team in Brisbane launched a Mission Ambassador Program that saw over 130 students from 20 schools in the diocese deliver parish appeals on World Mission Sunday, supporting the work of Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez and the Arrupe Centre, which provide care, education and vocational opportunities for children and young adults with disability, and their families.
Parish appeals With churches across Australia facing lockdown and restrictions throughout 2020 and into 2021, and parishioners being hesitant to return to mass in person once restrictions eased, our parish
appeals were significantly down, with the number of donors giving through the parish down to about a third from the prior period. Having strategically connected with these supporters through other channels, we did see many choose to give online, through direct mail and the phone, instead.
Events Like parish appeals, supporter events were directly impacted by the lockdown and physical distancing restrictions implemented across Australia throughout the year, removing our ability to host mission partners and limiting our ability to gather. However, our diocesan team for Greater Sydney hosted a series of webinars with Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez and Fr John Lester Tajon SJ from Cambodia, inviting supporters, educators, and clergy to hear from these mission partners, and share in their work. Our diocesan team in Perth was able to proceed with local events at the end of 2020, but also utilised streaming facilities and other digital opportunities to further connect with supporters. We cannot say enough how thankful we are for each and every supporters, educator, priest and parishioner that continued to support our work through the pandemic, and were there for our mission partners in their time of great need, just as we continue to stand with them. Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
PROGRAMS
Report
Lawrence Gigliotti Programs Manager
Catholic Mission has continued to lead the way in assisting vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic.
Each one of us has had to adapt and evolve in line with COVID‑19. Catholic Mission has maintained close connections with our overseas partners through digital platforms and building on the already strong relationships with so many dioceses and congregations across the world. Our mission development model, through building capacity, is to journey together and provide technical support to our partners, as we seek to participate in Christ’s mission of proclaiming and establishing God’s Kingdom. Today, more than ever, we need to be able to assist those in need, giving a voice to the voiceless, assisting the most vulnerable and working with local people who may otherwise not receive the support needed to carry out their work. Catholic Mission provides not only for physical needs but supports the spiritual and pastoral needs of our partners. Many of our partner projects support the training of catechists, seminarians, and community development practitioners. Pope Francis’ third encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”, calls for an accepting Church of fraternity and social friendship regardless of borders, conflict, fear or, of course, the current pandemic.
At Catholic Mission, we have embraced this call to work with our partners to ensure a more sustainable future. As part of our sustainable vision, we have developed our unique impact investing model to ensure long‑term and sustainable assistance can be provided to the most vulnerable. Impact investing ensures that our partners are less dependent on outside support, leading to increased self‑worth. Ultimately, this facilitates the vision and plan allowing for evolving strategies to carry out the Mission of God. This is a new concept at Catholic Mission, embracing Pope Francis’ call to move forward in fraternity without fear. Through the establishment of our Regional Mission Development Office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2019, Catholic Mission has continued to have a local presence in the South‑East Asian region throughout the pandemic. Our local team was instrumental in supporting the coordination and delivery of relief for disadvantaged families during the lockdown of Phnom Penh City. Catholic Mission has also been working with partners across the world in delivering support in Ethiopia, India, Thailand, and Myanmar.
With the ongoing challenges facing the people of Myanmar, Catholic Mission continues to offer prayers and practical support where possible during this troubling time. Over the coming year, Catholic Mission will continue to embark on new and exciting projects in different regions around the world. We will continue to heed the message of Pope Francis, serving as part of a worldwide network to support the mission of the Church and assist other young Churches on their way with prayer and charity.
Learn more about Programs
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
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COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
Report
John Hyde Senior Communications Officer Simone Medri Communications & Digital Manager
This year Catholic Mission continued focusing on multimedia and digital strategies to share the voice of missionaries who, despite isolation and lockdowns, are still in their communities serving those most in need.
Catholic Mission led the international #WeAreStillHere video campaign in early 2020. This global campaign featured video messages from over 30 missionaries based in more than 25 different countries speaking of hope and giving witness to their continued presence. The campaign was translated into 16 different languages and adopted by 23 Pontifical Mission Societies worldwide. We hosted an international conference in partnership with the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome in March 2021. Entitled Church’s Mission: Media Communication, Charity and Fundraising, the seminars featured international experts and presentations from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Social Communication, Radio Maria and Fides News Agency. The conference aimed to build a stronger international network, and the sharing of resources and expertise to support the mission areas of the world. Spanning 18 time zones, for 15 hours, over five days, more than 220 participants in 41 countries shared this fellowship, education, and connection.
The emphasis on sharing the story of missionaries and their communities was featured prominently in the 2020 World Mission Month digital campaign. Bishop Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez of the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia became the face of the campaign that spoke to supporters on the religious underpinning of the work undertaken. While young people from the Arrupe centre, Dara, Toy and Chen, were able to speak on how they directly benefited from the support of Catholic Mission. Our social media strategy takes into consideration Pope Francis’ message to broaden our audience by reaching outside our circles. The utilisation of digital social media ads is one way we have broadened our audience, continuing to spread the stories of the life and work of missionaries around the world.
Global Mission Campaign: #WeAreStillHere
16 Languages 25 Countries 30 Missionaries 23 PMS agencies 30 Videos
The adversity experienced over the last 12 months has challenged us all in a myriad of ways. Through turning these challenges into opportunities, Catholic Mission has delivered a message of hope to our local and global community.
Catholic Mission is continuing this work leading an international team of Pontifical Mission Societies in the creation of a new communication campaign to continue to raise awareness of the global awareness of missionaries’ work.
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Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
IMMERSIONS
Report
John Kerrigan Immersions Business Manager
Not surprisingly, the global pandemic has impacted the Immersion Program during 2020‑21. It was clear from the start of the year that international travel would be off the table during 2021 and that border closures would limit domestic travel. In the constantly changing environment in response to ongoing COVID‑19 restrictions, our planning for international travel is now slated for the second half of 2022, however long‑range planning is still very difficult. All booked immersion trips for the year 2020‑2021, including the Camino pilgrimages, were cancelled in line with COVID‑19 restrictions and full refunds were made to all participants. To protect our clients from financial loss, agreements were made with our suppliers that in the case of cancellations due to the pandemic, Catholic Mission would receive full refunds or credits which in turn were immediately returned to our clients. This strategy has been well received with clients, in particular our schools. Parents and school principals have expressed their gratitude to Catholic Mission for our prompt action to return the funds so quickly. Catholic Mission utilised these challenges to refocus attention, providing an opportunity to develop and promote new Indigenous immersion programs. This saw the expansion of these programs from a single location in Alice Springs, to include three new sites of Darwin, Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. This has increased the reach of these programs to more than 400 participants, up from 65 participants last year. Looking ahead, schools are now planning immersion programs for 2022. The Indigenous immersion program options we are offering in 2022 are:
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
1. The Annual Combined Catholic Schools Immersion
5. The Adult Immersion
Location: North East Arnhem Land
Specifically designed for: adults wishing to join an immersion experience
Maximum number of participants: 230
Location: Darwin
Dates: 7th–14th April 2022
Maximum number of participants: 13
2. The Schools Immersion Location: Alice Springs, Tiwi Islands or Darwin
Dates: TBA 2022
6. The School Leaders Immersion
Maximum number of participants: 130
Specifically designed for: principals and teachers
Dates: Various dates available (10 immersions)
Location: Darwin and North East Arnhem Land
3. T he ‘Deadly’ Immersion Exclusively for: students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Location: North East Arnhem Land Maximum number of participants: 13 Dates: 26th June–3rd July 2022
4. The Partnership Exposure Program Specifically designed for: donors that would like to see firsthand where their support could be directed
Maximum number of participants: 13 Dates: 18th–26th June 2022
Catholic Mission is in the process of applying to be an endorsed PD provider in line with NESA Standards under the priority area of Aboriginal education and supporting Aboriginal students/ children for teachers participating in this immersion. Currently however, application for recognition of PD Hours must still take place through individual diocesan Catholic education offices.
Location: North East Arnhem Land Maximum number of participants: 8 Dates: TBA 2022
Learn more about Immersions
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FINANCIAL
Distributions from 2020‑21 Income
Report
All figures in AUD unless otherwise specified.
1,085,269
5,088,249
Catholic Mission’s Work with Children Country
764,014
Catholic Mission’s Work with Communities
Catholic Mission’s Work with Church Leaders
$AUD
Country
$AUD
Country
Australia
55,000
Australia
777,465
Australia
Ethiopia
20,848
Bangladesh
58,056
Ghana
Ghana
348,103
Ethiopia
57,846
India
58,136
India
76,379
Fiji
29,179
Laos
18,361
Kenya
94,160
Ghana
676,087
Myanmar
68,774
Cambodia
89,428
India
77,510
Papua New Guinea
19,261
Laos
14,416
Cambodia
Thailand
66,157
Myanmar
64,205
Laos
250,436
Timor Leste
153,841
Mongolia
2,772
Sri Lanka
41,925
Holy See*
13,514
22,504
Myanmar
186,856
Vietnam
313,046
Papua New Guinea
141,523
Zimbabwe
Total
Papua New Guinea Philippines
5,000
2,344,993
Solomon Islands
55,481
Thailand
114,224
Thailand
39,381
Timor Leste
48,987
Tanzania
3,500
Holy See*
283,161
Uganda
71,027
South Africa
59,072
Zambia
63,994
Total
1,085,269
Total
1,410 18,987
32,527
764,014
5,088,249 Managed Funds
* this amount includes a contribution to the Holy Father’s Covid appeal, mass offerings to the Society of Saint Peter the Apostle, and a contribution to the education of priests in the Roman missionary colleges.
Country
$AUD
South Korea
30,000
Madagascar
16,110
Malawi
1,385
Papua New Guinea
7,000
Philippines
146,781
Uganda
3,303
Zambia
3,783
Total
Total Distributions (AUD)
18
$AUD
208,362
7,145,894
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
Distribution of 2020‑21 Income
Gross Income by Diocese 2020‑21 Diocese Adelaide
$AUD 255,333
$AUD Distributable Funds
7,535,632
Armidale
85,391
Community Education
877,099
Ballarat
347,403
Program Support
827,243
Bathurst
120,809
Diocesan Support
1,724,009
Brisbane
1,546,496
Broken Bay
684,088
Broome
7,249
Bunbury
97,109
Cairns
115,616
Canberra & Goulburn
819,989
Darwin
36,585
Geraldton
34,465
Hobart
107,620
Lismore
168,486
Maitland
2,523,701
National Office
3,047,207
Perth
619,584 1,250,399
Port Pirie
66,285
Rockhampton
269,126
Sale Sandhurst Sydney
73,578 209,759 1,688,619
Toowoomba
120,102
Townsville
100,304
Wagga
181,933
Wilcannia Forbes Wollongong
Total
Net Operating expenses
Total
22,240 4,446,379 15,432,602
Global Distribution by Pontifical Mission Societies Work with Children
USD 17,574,723
Work with Communities
USD 86,261,451
Work with Church Leaders
USD 21,198,067
436,519
Melbourne Parramatta
Transferred to (from) reserves
15,329 403,519
15,432,602
We would especially like to thank those who have supported Catholic Mission through a gift in their will in 2020‑2021, ensuring a lasting legacy after departing this life. W. P. Colman, A. T. Willoughby, C. F. E. Vassal, R. G. Maher, R C. Dixon, K. T. Monaghan, A. V. Westblade, E. M. Jones, F. Powel, J. G. L. Rivalland, V. A. L. Tewman, H. Micallef, L. Halpin, Hansen And Kean, D. Battley, Sr A. O’Brien, Rev Fr M. A. Wheeler, Rev D. C Callahan, R. G. Cesareo, W. M. Fortune, K. Patullo, L. H. Snell, B. M. W. Anderson, M. E. O’Dwyer, Fr H. W. Hughes, J. F. Hogan, M. A. Montfort, C. V. Couper, P. M. McDermott. For more information about leaving a gift in your Will, please contact your local Catholic Mission Diocesan Director for a confidential discussion.
To view our full 2020‑21 Financial Report, or past Annual Reports, please visit our website at cm.org.au/annualreport.
Catholic Mission Annual Report 2020-21
19
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Diocesan Directors Adelaide Mr Tony Johnston 0407 168 002
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Geraldton 1800 257 296
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Broome 1800 257 296
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Sale Mr Kevin Meese 0411 256 112 Sandhurst Mr Kevin Meese 0411 256 112 Sydney Mr Alan Wedesweiler 0400 327 315
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