Socktober 2022 Welcome Guide

ABOUT CATHOLIC MISSION AND WORLD MISSION MONTH

We are mission

Catholic Mission is the Australian agency of the international Pontifical Mission Societies. As the Pope’s official 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.

Our vision is that all may have life in Christ

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

Our mission

We share in God’s mission to reach out and give life by sharing our personal and financial resources to:

“Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

John 13:34

What does Catholic Mission do?

Catholic Mission contributes funding and provides project support to critical church‑run initiatives in Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America, as well as remote dioceses within Australia. Grassroots needs are identified by local Catholics to give people the opportunity for a full, enriched life – physically and spiritually – regardless of race, stigma, religion or gender.

We create opportunities for people to be formed in mission, and respond through prayer, fundraising and action, inspiring them to reach out, and give life— within Australia and around the world. All of us engage in mission when we proclaim our faith through our words, actions and lives.

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.

What is World Mission Month?

Here in Australia, October marks World Mission Month, a celebration of the global work of the Church and the dedication of missionaries, both religious and lay, who support children and communities in need around the world.

On World Mission Sunday, 23 October 2022, parish communities around the world will gather to pray for and support thousands of life changing missionary programs. The following Wednesday, 26 October, is Children’s Mission Day.

Socktober is the celebration of World Mission Month for primary and secondary schools across Australia, where students are reminded of the often unseen work of missionaries in the farthest corners of the globe. Each year, we provide resources for parish and school communities to help all to understand and celebrate this occasion together. You can find all our school resources at socktober.org.au

THE SOCKTOBER MISSION

To empower school communities by celebrating and engaging with mission through a Head, Heart and Hands model.

Socktober for Mission Month cultivates the passion of students to rise up, engage their local community and take action against poverty through the world game of soccer.

It provides young people in Australia with the opportunity to lead in mission, encouraging them to think not only of what they will do to help, but why they will do it.

Our pedagogical resources, including the popular Mission Packs, have been designed by an expert team of educators with the aim of engaging students and their families with the mission components of the curriculum in a fun and interactive way.

In Mission Week (23 28 October), you can celebrate with your students and bring global mission into the classroom and onto the playground. Run thought provoking workshops, kick some of your goals together, and hold a Socktober Shootout competition to raise funds.

A Message from our Socktober Ambassador

What immediately stands out to me about Socktober for Mission Month is the values that are conveyed to students right across the country through the program.

They are values like teamwork, fairness, compassion, and reward for effort. They are values you will find in the game of soccer, and they align closely with what we are about at Brisbane Strikers FC.

Soccer is one of the few sports that is played in every corner of the world, by people of all backgrounds, abilities and means. In my time as a player, coach, and administrator at the highest levels, I have always found that soccer is unique in its power to unify people, both in celebration and at times in despair. But most importantly, it can be a vehicle to serve others, especially those less fortunate.

Brisbane Strikers FC is among Queensland’s most iconic and successful premier football clubs largely because of our commitment to community. That is why we are proud to support Socktober for Mission Month. It is filled with practical ways for our youngest generation to be of service to others, here and overseas, and what’s more, to reflect on why this is so important.

I wish all students and families the best of luck in kicking their Socktober goals and enjoying the many wonderful benefits that our great game of soccer can deliver.

Frank Farina

Brisbane Strikers Ambassador & Ex NSL Winner, Socceroos legend and Hall of Fame inductee

THE SOCKBALL: A SYMBOL OF DREAMS + + =

The icon of Socktober, a tattered, oddly shaped ball, bound with string and filled with socks and recycled materials, has become a recognised symbol within Catholic school communities across Australia.

Many students have made or will make their own version of what we call the ‘sockball’ as part of their Socktober journey. It’s a fun and interactive way of connecting our young people with those they are supporting.

This ball was modelled on the very kind you will find being kicked about by children in laneways, plazas, and dusty playing fields from Addis Ababa to Chennai to Buenos Aires.

Even Pope Francis honed his soccer skills with a sockball.

“I have a memory ... of the ball of rags, the ‘pelota de trapo’: leather was expensive, and we were poor, rubber was not yet so common, but it was enough for us a ball of rags to have fun and almost perform miracles playing in the square near home.”

– Pope Francis, 2021 (La Gazetta dello Sport)

When students in Australia make their own sockball and kick it around as part of Socktober, they share in the experience of children right across Africa, Asia, South America and the Pacific, who play with only this kind of ball.

It forms a sense of connection for our students, but more importantly, it illustrates the concept of the “haves and have nots”: what other advantages do we enjoy, and what can we do to even the balance?

HOW TO RUN SOCKTOBER IN FOUR EASY STEPS

As a teacher, getting your school involved in Socktober helps you to achieve a couple of your key aims: it’s a fun and easy way to deliver the mission requirements of the curriculum to your students; and it helps you to cultivate their passion for justice and convert it into making a difference for children in need around the world.

In doing this, you’ll join hundreds of other schools across Australia as part of a huge support network. We think that’s something to be very proud of. Best of all, it’s really straightforward.

1. Sign up

You’re probably across the line on this already, but if you haven’t done so yet, head to socktober.org.au and take five minutes to join the Socktober movement this year. Check out the step by step school registration guide on the Socktober website.

3. Share

Get the word out there about what your school is doing, because it’s worth sharing! Post your page link to Facebook, regularly update parents via your school bulletin, and invite your local media to do a story on your Socktober efforts. Don’t forget to involve your local parish too, through their weekly bulletins!

2. Recruit

Now that your school is on board, it’s time to get your students signed up. When they create their own page with their family, they’re not only engaging a broader community in the great work your school is doing, but they’re also taking ownership of the impact they can make in the lives of vulnerable children. Aside from that, it makes counting and processing donations a thing of the past at your school.

4. Engage

Make use of our expertly crafted Mission Packs (see page 8) to engage your students’ heads, hearts and hands in the stories of the communities you are supporting. There are reflections, activities and links that are easy to connect and explore. Host a Socktober Shootout in Mission Week to get active and kick some literal goals for good!

HOW TO FUNDRAISE IN FOUR EASY STEPS

Now that your school is on board, the best way to ensure your students get the most out of Socktober is to invite them to sign up (with a parent/carer) and create their own Socktober Star page.

NEW! This year, it’s even easier for students to kick goals for good with the introduction of Goal Packages. These pre set packages contain six activities with different learning and formation outcomes that students can work through at their own pace. As they kick each goal, students can seek sponsorship from family and friends.

1. Sign up

Invite your parent community to help their children sign up as Socktober Stars. By having their own fundraising page, students take leadership in making a difference for vulnerable children. It’s also the only way to access the Goal Packages, which make Socktober especially fun and interactive! Check out the step by step student registration guide on the Socktober website.

3. Pick ‘em and Kick ‘em!

Students can select from four Goal Packages, each featuring six different goals and covering a range of curriculum areas, including religious education, physical education, English, history and geography. As they kick each of their goals, students can mark them as completed, meaning you can track their progress and others can sponsor their efforts.

2. Write Your Why

Students can articulate their own mission statement on their fundraising page and show they understand why they are raising funds. It is another way for students to advocate for families in need in Ethiopia, and to encourage members of their community to sponsor their efforts.

4. Share

There are many ways for students to safely and privately share the good work they are doing and seek sponsorship. The easiest is through email, but the Socktober platform allows for Facebook and Twitter posts, as well as SMS messaging to get family and friends involved.

NEW!

The Socktober Challenge is one of the key components of the Socktober program. Made up of six modules, called Mission Packs, the Socktober Challenge takes young people on a journey in mission, bearing witness to stories of their brothers and sisters who they are supporting by participating in Socktober.

Each of our comprehensive Mission Packs has been created by an expert team of qualified educators, and feature resources, prayers and activities designed to engage students’ heads, hearts and hands in issues of

mission and social justice. They each pertain to a specific theme and point to Catholic Social Teaching and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to bring a rounded perspective to your students’ mission journey. The Socktober Challenge is filled with a range of activities for primary and secondary level, and your students can seek sponsorship through their individual Socktober pages for the goals they achieve.

Browse the Mission Packs on the Socktober website and use our Road Map on page 9 to plan how you will implement the activities and reflections into your weekly lesson plans in Terms 3 and 4.

SOCKTOBER CHALLENGE: ROAD MAP

To get the most out of Socktober, we recommend integrating activities and teachings from all six Socktober Challenge Mission Packs into your school’s mission journey this year. The modules cater to a wide variety of curriculum areas, including religion and mission, history, geography, and of course, physical education. There are many ways you can integrate Socktober into all facets of school life. You can team up with other teachers to plan how to link activities together.

Using all six Mission Packs may seem overwhelming, so we’ve developed a road map this year to allow you to choose your own adventure, picking what’s most suitable to your circumstances.

I want the full Socktober experience!

Here’s your plan:

1. Sign up during Term 3 and make sure your students create their own Socktober Star pages.

2. Start planning your Socktober Event Day (we recommend holding it in Mission Week from 24‑28 October). Recruit some colleagues to help run the event.

3. Browse the six Mission Packs and highlight the activities most relevant to your students.

4. Consider how these activities can fit with your other lesson plans.

5. Start the Socktober Challenge from Monday, 5 September with the Creation Mission Pack.

6. Take a break over the school holidays, but encourage your students to keep in touch with their Socktober goals over the break.

7. Week 6 of the Socktober Challenge will coincide with Mission Week and your Socktober Event Day. Choose the Participation Mission Pack for this week.

I don’t have that much time!

Here’s your plan:

1. Sign up during Term 3 and make sure your students create their own Socktober Star pages.

2. Start planning your Socktober Event Day (we recommend holding it in Mission Week from 24‑28 October). Recruit some colleagues to help run the event.

3. Decide how many weeks you can dedicate to Socktober in Term 3 and 4.

4. Pick 1‑3 Socktober Challenge Mission Packs to explore in class during the allocated time. We recommend starting with Creation and ending with Participation to coincide with your event day. Ensure your students have the chance to make a sockball.

5. Encourage your students to seek sponsorship for completing goals in the Challenge.

6. Explore the Participation Mission Pack as part of your Socktober Event Day in Mission Week. Invite parents and community members to the event and run the Mission Liturgy provided on the Socktober website.

I’ve only got one week!

Here’s your plan:

1. Sign up during Term 3 and make sure your students create their own Socktober Star pages.

2. Start planning your Socktober Event Day (we recommend holding it in Mission Week from 24‑28 October). Recruit some colleagues to help run the event.

3. Explore one Mission Pack as part of your Socktober Event Day in Mission Week. Invite parents and community members to the event and run the Mission Liturgy provided on the Socktober website. Ensure your students have a chance to create a sockball and get sponsored for the goals they kick!

MISSION WEEK AND THE SOCKTOBER SHOOTOUT

Mission Week is the culmination of the Socktober journey and when the celebration really gets started! Beginning in your local parish on the 23rd of October with World Mission Sunday, Mission Week is a chance to recognise the life-enriching work of missionaries around the world and give back by sharing their stories and joining a nationwide fundraising effort.

The Socktober Shootout can be the centrepiece of your Mission Week. It’s a fun activity that puts your students’ sockballs to good use and allows your whole school community, including parents and your parish priest, to get involved. Here’s how to run it:

1. Make time in your Term 4 calendar for Mission Week and the Socktober Shootout.

2. Find resources on socktober.org.au and recruit colleagues to help out.

3. Promote your Socktober Event Day among your school community and parish.

4. Set up the Shootout by positioning or marking out the goals, ensuring all students can take a few shots with the sockball and synthetic ball, and invite a guest goalie!

5. Work through the Socktober Shootout debrief questions with your students to see what they learned.

Learn more: socktober.org.au/socktober-shootout

ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY!

Parents and friends

Socktober is a program designed to engage whole school communities, including parents/carers and families. Both the Goal Packages and the Mission Packs can be brought home, and many of the activities invite students to collaborate with family and friends. We’ll keep the parents/carers of registered students up to date with what’s happening in Socktober, but you can consider inviting them to support your event day too!

Your local parish

Through Socktober, you can strengthen your school’s relationship with the local parish – an important part of enhancing your school’s Catholic identity. It takes just a few easy steps:

• Promote your Socktober activity in the local parish bulletin. Duplicate school bulletin updates and send them to the parish secretary.

• Invite your parish priest to your event day. There’s every chance he’s either a big soccer fan or he has played a bit in his day. So put him in goals and test his ability!

• Engage youth groups. If your parish has a local youth group, they can probably support you, both in promoting Socktober through the local parish and in running your event day. Contact your parish to get in touch with the youth coordinator.

• Engage parishioners. You might just find your biggest financial and moral supporters are sitting in the pews each Sunday. Ask your local Catholic Mission representative about our Mission Ambassador Program and give your students a great skill – and confidence building opportunity.

Learn more: socktober.org.au/promote

Special guests

Hosting a Socktober Event Day is a great way to connect the wider community to the great work your school is doing. Consider inviting past students, local MPs, and/or athletes or celebrities who hail from your local area to be guests at your event day. With the right kind of creative outreach, you might even find a particularly generous sponsor.

2022 MISSION FOCUS: ETHIOPIA

Each year, your support of Socktober contributes crucial funding and promotes advocacy for people in need all around the world. This year, we are encouraging students to learn what life is like for children from Ethiopia, specifically those facing food insecurity and malnutrition in rural Emdibir, and to take action to make a difference.

Learn more: socktober.org.au/ethiopia

Fast Facts about Ethiopia

Economy in Ethiopia

Prior to the current major civil conflict in the Tigray region, Ethiopia was the fastest growing economy in Africa. While this rapid growth has helped to reduce the total number of people living under the poverty line, the wealth has not been distributed equally, and certainly not to families who rely on subsistence farming to survive. Ethiopia’s gross national income (GNI) figure of $890 per capita places it in the bottom 21 countries in the world.

Ethiopia’s gross national income (GNI) figure:

Ethiopia’s population is estimated to be 115 million people, making it the second most populous country in Africa (behind Nigeria) and the 12th most populous in the world. There are over 80 different ethno linguistic groups in Ethiopia and four main language families: Semitic, Cushitic, Omotic and Nilo Saharan.

115 million people live in Ethiopia

Religion in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Orthodox is the most prevalent religion in Ethiopia, with approximately 40% of the population identifying with the faith. Catholicism is one of the smallest faiths, accounting for only 1% of the population. However, the Catholic Church operates around 90% of social welfare and justice programs in Ethiopia.

1%

of the Ethiopian population identify as Christian

Addis Ababa

Lake Rudolf

Gulf of Aden

Indian Ocean

Saudi Arabia Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Somalia Kenya

Yemen Uganda

Eritrea Djibouti

People

per capita

Neela and Ajani’s Story

For Neela and her youngest child, Ajani, every day is a fight for survival as this courageous mother and her husband Omari

to provide enough nutritious food for their baby son.

, who lives with her family in Emdibir, told of the heartbreaking reality her children face every day. When asked if she can provide milk for her little ones, she responds: “They don’t get any milk. They only get syrup from a syringe.” And as for food? “We don’t get any.”

Relying on subsistence farming to feed their family, Neela and Omari can barely make ends meet, especially for Ajani, who, like any baby, needs special nutrients to survive, grow and flourish. Without the support of the local Catholic parish and its project, the Deberety Farm, it would be almost impossible for the family to manage.

Focus Project: The Deberety Farm

“It is a great help to us. [The parish] give us towels, food ... for support. They give us almost everything.” – Neela, local mother

The Farm has been a critical resource in addressing food insecurity in the village, but the problem of malnutrition, especially in babies and young children, remains.

“When we asked what was required, it was goat’s milk — especially goat’s milk — which contains essential nutrients for a baby,” says Fr Habtesilassie Antuan, the Deberety Farm project manager.

Now, the Farm is looking to expand to include a goat rearing centre. Goats, normally farmed in the area for their meat, produce milk that is more nutritious for infants than that of cows, and they are a more sustainable and affordable option.

Like a community garden or pantry, the Deberety Farm in Emdibir, about four hours from the capital Addis Ababa, is a hub for families to come and access the critical needs they require to feed and care for their children. In an area where around 70% of families survive only on subsistence farming, the Deberety Farm provides a life giving service.

With funds raised by Australian schools through Socktober, the Deberety Farm will establish its goat rearing centre, stock it with goats, and ensure they receive sustained care, which will mean the most vulnerable children in the village can access nutritional milk and other food and grow to be strong and healthy.

CELEBRATE WORLD MISSION MONTH

On the Socktober website this World Mission Month, you’ll find all the resources you need to teach your students about Ethiopia and the families we support, encourage them to advocate for social justice issues, and integrate a beautiful liturgy (or Mass) into your celebrations.

Here’s what you’ll find online:

Mission Packs for primary and secondary students

Additional advocacy resources

Liturgy and Mass resources for your school’s Mission Day

Mission in 360 virtual reality video to immerse your students in Ethiopia

Sheet music, lyrics and recordings of the Socktober Song, ‘Just a Little Bit’

socktober.org.au/school-resources

PRAYER AND LITURGY

Socktober is, first and foremost, a means through which schools and students can celebrate World Mission Month in October, and an important component of this celebration is a liturgy or Mission Mass to reflect on the efforts of mission partners around the world and pray for them and the communities they serve.

Prayer is a great source of life and communication, keeping us open to the mystery of God’s loving grace and presence which envelop each moment of our lives. Prayer also helps to express our concerns for those who are affected by poverty. It is an important means, in faith, to reach out to our brothers and sisters who not only need material support but also spiritual support to live life to the full.

Mass and liturgy materials are available on the Socktober website, in downloadable Word, PDF, and PowerPoint formats. These can be adapted to suit your school and context. There will also be music files and sheet music available to accompany liturgy or moments of reflection. You will see there are many ways for students to participate in the mass and liturgy through readings, procession of symbols, and singing along with the music.

socktober.org.au/liturgy

EXTRA THINGS TO KNOW

You may still have questions about Socktober – that’s ok, you are not alone. We compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions. If you are still unsure about anything, please contact our team or your local Catholic Mission representative at any time.

When do I need to run Socktober in my school?

Socktober is designed to be a journey leading up to and throughout World Mission Month in October, but it can be run at any time of the year that suits your school community. We recommend starting in the first week of September and focusing on one Mission Pack per week until the end of October (excluding holidays).

What age group is Socktober most suited to?

The Socktober Challenge is suitable for stages 2 to 5 and can be adapted by teachers accordingly; our Mission Packs include Primary and Secondary resources. The Socktober Event Day suits all ages, but senior students (years 10‑12) could be asked to assist with leadership of the day and mentoring of younger students who are participating.

What about cybersecurity?

All online Socktober fundraising pages are hosted on a secure platform operated by a partner agency of Catholic Mission with privacy and cybersecurity top priorities. To ensure extra peace of mind when signing their children up, we recommend parents include only first name and last initial, choose a display name, and upload an avatar or non identifying picture for their child’s page.

How much effort is required?

The Socktober Mission Packs, additional liturgy and prayer resources, and online fundraising platform make it easy to run Socktober in your school. Following the steps outlined in this Welcome Guide and watching our video ‘Socktober 2022: Kick Goals for Good’ will help you plan a rewarding Socktober experience for your school community – and don’t forget, we’re always here to help!

Where does the funding go?

Socktober is a program exclusively run by Catholic Mission, and raises funds for programs benefiting children around the world. Each year, we choose a focus country to represent how the funds raised through Socktober will benefit children overseas. In addition to supporting this country, the funds raised may be distributed to our other partners in order of where the need is greatest. Our programs team diligently monitors and evaluates the projects we partner with in order to ensure the funds are used in a responsible and sustainable way. You can read more about our projects, as well as updates from the field, in the Our Work section of the Catholic Mission website.

Terms and Conditions

Full Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy can be found on the Socktober website at socktober.org.au.

YOUR LOCAL SOCKTOBER CONTACT

Adelaide

Tony Johnston

Diocesan Director 0407 168 002 tjohnston@catholicmission.org.au

Armidale

Jacqueline Toakley Diocesan Director (02) 6771 8703 armidale.director@catholicmission.org.au

Ballarat

Mark Clarke Youth and Schools Engagement Officer – VIC/TAS 0418 524 095 mclarke@catholicmission.org.au

Bathurst

David McGovern Diocesan Director 0431 481 731 dmcgovern@catholicmission.org.au Brisbane

Sue Williams

Youth and Schools Engagement Officer – QLD 0419 731 363 swilliams@catholicmission.org.au

Broken Bay

Alan Wedesweiler Diocesan Director 0400 327 315 awedesweiler@catholicmission.org.au

Broome

Judith Nyamuli Schools Engagement Coordinator – Perth Archdiocese (08) 6234 1763 jnyamuli@catholicmission.org.au

Bunbury

Judith Nyamuli Schools Engagement Coordinator – Perth Archdiocese (08) 6234 1763 jnyamuli@catholicmission.org.au Cairns

Anna Jimenez Diocesan Director 0450 213 042 ajimenez@catholicmission.org.au Canberra & Goulburn

Peter Hade Diocesan Director 0407 413 124 canberra.goulburn.director@ catholicmission.org.au

Darwin

Contact Tony Johnston 0407 168 002 tjohnston@catholicmission.org.au

Geraldton

Judith Nyamuli Schools Engagement Coordinator – Perth Archdiocese (08) 6234 1763 jnyamuli@catholicmission.org.au

Hobart

Rev. Deacon MSC Michael Hangan Diocesan Director 0438 243 533 hobart.director@catholicmission.org.au

Lismore

Contact Sydney Office 1800 257 296 Maitland Newcastle

David McGovern Diocesan Director 0431 481 731 dmcgovern@catholicmission.org.au Melbourne

Mark Clarke

Youth and Schools Engagement Officer – VIC/TAS 0418 524 095 mclarke@catholicmission.org.au

Perth

Judith Nyamuli Schools Engagement Coordinator (08) 6234 1763 jnyamuli@catholicmission.org.au

Parramatta

Alan Wedesweiler Diocesan Director 0400 327 315 awedesweiler@catholicmission.org.au

Port Pirie

Michael Preece Diocesan Director 0428 881 423 portpirie.director@catholicmission.org.au

Rockhampton

Greg Clair Diocesan Director 0419 029 839 rockhampton.director@catholicmission.org.au Sale

Mark Clarke Youth and Schools Engagement Officer – VIC/TAS 0418 524 095 mclarke@catholicmission.org.au

Sandhurst

Mark Clarke

Youth and Schools Engagement Officer – VIC/TAS 0418 524 095 mclarke@catholicmission.org.au

Sydney

Dorothy Makasa Mission Education Officer 0415 666 942 dmakasa@catholicmission.org.au

Toowoomba

Sue Williams

Youth and Schools Engagement Officer – QLD 0419 731 363 swilliams@catholicmission.org.au

Townsville

Thomas and Helen Tarttelin Diocesan Directors 0484 784 919 (Thomas) 0421 053 203 (Helen) thomas.helen.tarttelin@catholicmission.org.au Wagga Wagga Jane Plum Diocesan Director (02) 6937 0013 jplum@catholicmission.org.au

Wilcannia Forbes

David McGovern Diocesan Director 0431 481 731 dmcgovern@catholicmission.org.au

Wollongong

Contact Sydney Office 1800 257 296

Socktober is a program of Catholic Mission.

National Contact: Matthew Poynting National Community Engagement Officer – Socktober 19 Mackenzie St Lavender Bay NSW 2060 (02) 9919 7833 info@socktober.org.au socktober.org.au

Catholic Mission PO Box 1668 North Sydney NSW 2059 1800 257 296 admin@catholicmission.org.au catholicmission.org.au