Mission Today - Spring/Summer 2023

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Cover image:

A young child joyfully playing with a soccer ball in Venilale, Timor-Leste.

Editor: Astrid Delayre

Contributors: Maria Fernanda Ramos, Tony Johnston, Patrice Ocampo, Liesje Barratt, Mark Raue, Matthew Poynting

Photos: Simone Medri, Catholic Mission partners

Design: Smarta By Design

Printed by: BMS Group

Names of people under 18 have been changed.

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.

This publication may include images of deceased persons.

A Message from the National Director

It is with immense honour that I present to you this special World Mission Month edition of Mission Today, our esteemed Catholic Mission magazine. As we approach October, a month wholeheartedly dedicated to Mission, it serves as a poignant reminder of our endeavours of missionaries across the globe.

Our expansive outreach is founded in the unwavering dedication of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Our commitment to collaborating closely with local communities, addressing grassroots issues, and co-creating enduring solutions is at the core of our identity.

In the spirit of Synodality, we journey together, united to create a more just world, guided by the words of Pope Francis, with our ‘Hearts on fire, and feet on the move’.

I sincerely hope that as you delve into the pages of this edition of Mission Today you find inspiration and join us in the celebration of this World Mission Month.

Yours in Mission,

This magazine is printed on Grange. Grange Offset (70-120gsm) is PEFC certified. Manufactured in facilities with ISO 14001 EMS certification and made elemental chlorine-free with ISO 9706 Longlife certification.

Grange Board is proudly manufactured FSC certified using pulp sourced from responsibly managed forests and is made with elemental chlorine free pulps.

Fr Brian Lucas National Director

© Copyright Catholic Mission 2023

ABN 52 945 927 066

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The Essence of Missionary Interconnectedness

Every year, during World Mission Month in October, Pope Francis reminds us of the importance of missionary work and invites everyone to take part in this great work of Mission within their own capabilities. Most importantly, he reminds us that World Mission Month is about working together to create a more just world.

Pope Francis has announced within his World Mission Sunday message that the focus of this year is the burning passion of missionaries as the fuel that leads them to take action. Based on Pope Francis’ message and to engage missionaries at heart in Australia and around the world, a special campaign was launched earlier this year by Catholic Mission, aiming to represent the missionary spirit in action.

At the core of the campaign, a unique design was created, aiming to unite people and show our connections in accomplishing the great work of Mission.

“In design, the point and line are key. Separately, they might not mean much, but together, they form a bigger picture. Similarly, in Mission, each of us is like a starting point. But when we come together, we become a powerful network

that creates a positive change in the world,” says Maria Fernanda Ramos, Catholic Mission’s Graphic Designer.

Indeed, the logo’s in-depth meaning highlights our interconnectedness and the opportunity we have to create a more just world.

Maria says,

The image shows a simple line made of many points, representing the world. This reflects our role as missionaries. Individually, we are like those points, but together, we create impactful change worldwide. Combined, we represent the true essence of Mission.”

To highlight our deeper connections and real understanding of each other, the campaign also focuses on raising awareness of the lives of missionaries and of the communities we support worldwide.

Pope Francis Highlights Missionary Efforts

in Mongolia

On September 4, Pope Francis concluded his apostolic journey in Mongolia by blessing the House of Mercy, a project supported directly by Catholic Mission and offering a welcoming space for people most in need.

Situated in the capital, Ulaanbatar, the House of Mercy is a social centre that will provide support for women and minors who are victims of domestic violence and a safe and welcoming place for people experiencing homelessness.

Pope Francis said,

with adequate support, an example of community collaboration highlighted by Pope Francis:

“The House of Mercy is meant to be the point of reference for a variety of charitable works, hands outstretched towards our brothers and sisters, struggling to navigate life’s problems. A safe haven, in other words, where people can find a listening ear and an understanding heart.”

He also noted the unique characteristics of the House of Mercy as a product of the coordinated efforts of a largely international missionary body while preserving a “clearly local identity as an authentic expression of the Apostolic Prefecture as a whole.”

Key to the project is the involvement of the local Church as the main leader of the project, supported by missionaries and charitable organisations. This unique collaboration enables the communities to develop themselves

“It is an immense honour to have welcomed the Holy Father within the House of Mercy,” says Lawrence Gigliotti, Catholic Mission’s Programs Manager, who facilitated collaboration on the project. “This place is witness to the missionary work here in Mongolia, but also from around the world.”

Learn more

Above: Pope Francis delivering a speech on the importance of missionary work at the House of Mercy in Mongolia.

[These] projects continue to draw upon the dedication of missionaries from many countries who put their knowledge, experience, resources and especially their love at the service of Mongolian society.”

“Mission is where many people need you.”

Sr Carolina

Building Bridges of Solidarity this World Mission Month

Earlier this year, Pope Francis called all missionaries at heart to renew their commitment to the great work of Mission. Describing the passion of the missionaries as a burning fire, which sets them into action, ‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’, has echoed in the hearts of many worldwide, leading them to take action.

In the same way, Pauline Jaricot, the founder of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, set herself in action over 200 years ago. Pauline had a vision in mind, where everyone could contribute within their means to supporting missionaries and communities from afar. From her commitment and growth of the Jaricot circles, small praying groups that would donate one coin every week, she created a worldwide missionary support network.

Today, it is one of four societies making up the Pontifical Mission Societies, a global network providing support to over 130,000 outreach stations across the world, led by lay and religious men and women. Partnering with communities, we help them to flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including healthcare, education, and spiritual care. Together, we aim to create a more just world.

Pope Francis powerfully reminds us in his 2023 World Mission Sunday Message that Mission is not just about spreading the Gospel, but also about building bridges of solidarity across the world.

As we come together to celebrate this World Mission Month, Catholic Mission is inviting you to answer the call from Pope Francis and, together, make a difference in the lives of many.

There are many ways to get involved and set hearts on fire and feet on the move in the name of Mission. Here are a few example of how you can make a difference this World Mission Month:

• Visit and share our website

• Support a World Mission Month appeal with a donation

• Kick goals for good with Socktober

• Follow and share our social media channels

• Subscribe to Catholic Mission TV

• Share this copy of Mission Today with a friend

• Subscribe to our monthly newsletter Mission Today Digital

• Share the word with friends and family

• Get inspired by the missionaries worldwide #wearestillhere

Learn more

Maria Auxiliadora Clinic: A Story of Hope

In rural Timor-Leste, Venilale is still recovering from decades of unrest and is facing numerous challenges, such as limited infrastructure and a lack of healthcare professionals.

The Salesian Sisters identified an urgent need for medical assistance. In 1995, driven by God’s hand and the community’s needs, they established the Maria Auxiliadora Clinic, a beacon of hope.

Creating and fostering an authentic bond with the local community, the Salesian Sisters have witnessed many children rise up after fighting against life-threatening diseases, such as tuberculosis and the devastating effects of malnutrition.

Vitoria is one of the children who healed thanks to the Clinic and the support of the Salesian Sisters. Diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of 12, Vitoria travelled every day with her mother to the clinic to receive life-saving care and medication thanks to the Sisters.

As she got better, Vitoria was able to pursue her education.

“After doing the treatment there and I recovered, I went back to school. I started from grade 4 of the primary

school, until I completed my elementary school then I continued to the junior high school,” says Vitoria.

Recognised as a place of trust, the Clinic is special to the local community as it provides them with a safe and welcoming environment.

Vitoria says,

I want to go to the clinic because when we go for treatment, we are welcomed, and if we have severe condition, the clinic will provide proper treatment and we can get cured.”

Having established this profound bond, Vitoria naturally sought advice from the Sisters when her son struggled with malnutrition. Thanks to their care, he was able to receive nutritious food and became healthy again, a blessing for his mother. Working hard as a business owner, Vitoria is now hoping to support her family and offer her son the gift of education.

This World Mission Month, join us as we journey hand-in-hand with the Salesian Sisters and the Timor-Leste community.

Above:

Vitoria proudly standing in front of her shop with her two children.

The Agent of Mission in Remote Timor-Leste

The work of the Maria Auxiliadora Clinic in Venilale is a great example of how missionaries and local communities work together to address grassroots issues.

In a small village near Venilale, Olinda Maria is the wife of the former chief of the village of Fatulia, a very well-respected position in the local community.

Building on the trust they had established in Venilale, the Salesian Sisters realised that Olinda could be key in ensuring the good health of the people of Fatulia. Her social status and her wisdom made her someone people trust and look up to.

Olinda says,

Olinda developed more connections as she visited homes around the village, encouraging them to go to the Clinic to receive proper treatment when needed.

“I knew by observing: if they were coughing and spitting all the time, I used my gut feeling and knew it was possible they were suffering from a certain type of illness. I could recognise it,” says Olinda.

To help her identify different illnesses, the Sisters provided her with basic training to direct the patient to the Clinic if needed. The two most common illnesses that Olinda has learned to look out for are tuberculosis and malnutrition, both prevalent in the village.

With dedication and the support of the Salesian Sisters, Olinda has helped many people get treatment. Even as she ages, OIinda continues to help the Sisters promote health awareness.

“I want for the children in the future to look forward to something. They need to have a strong desire to achieve something,” Olinda says on the generations to follow.

Learn more

Above: Olinda Maria with Sr Carolina, a long-standing friendship.

The first consideration is how are you going to get people to trust you. You need to sit with them, talk with them. Have a look at what the inside of their house looks like. They like me because I go and talk with them.”

I fall in love because of the reality of the people here, so, it is only love that makes it possible to do all these things.”

Sister Carolina

Learn more

Empowering Timor-Leste’s Youth Through Education

Earlier this year, Catholic Mission invited its supporters and friends to support the life-giving work of the Salesian Sisters at the St Maria Mazzarello Vocational School in Venilale.

Established in 1994, the School provides educational pathways to young people and bridges the gap existing between the workplace market demand and the lack of skilled labour in the Timorese employment market.

As skills are key to employment and with the strong development of the tourism industry, the School specialises in teaching culinary and hospitality skills. However, it is difficult for many families to support their children financially to attend higher education.

“Many students are poor, they lack a lot of things to support them,” says Sr Anita Freitas, Director of the St Maria Mazzarello Vocational School.

More than teaching practical skills, the School is empowering young girls and boys to make a future for themselves.

“If you have skills, if you can work, you don’t need to depend on other people.

We try to increase their skills to make a way for their own future,” says Sr Alma, the Provincial of the Salesian Sisters in Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

Madalena is one of the beneficiaries of this project. Growing up in a large household in a rural village, the School offered her new opportunities. Thanks to the dedication of the Salesian Sisters to make education accessible to all, she is now dreaming of a different future. Confident, she knows she has the skills to become independent.

Madalena says,

I am very grateful that I can attend this school. I can gain experience… I will open my own cafeteria.”

Since its creation, the School has faced many challenges, including being reduced to ashes in 2001. Through a remarkable journey of resilience, the School is now fully operational and supports 214 students, providing a passage of hope for young girls. Thanks to your generous support, the School will be refurbished to continue welcoming students.

Above: Madalena is now confident about her future.

Engaging in Mission Through a New Lens: Catholic Mission’s 360

In an ever-evolving digital world, Catholic Mission is at the forefront of utilising innovative tools with the development of new 360-degree video resources. These immersive videos offer viewers the opportunity to step virtually into a different reality, presenting a rich and engaging experience that goes beyond traditional media.

The 360 videos transport viewers to the heart of communities around the world, where lay and religious missionaries are devoting themselves to creating a more just world, may it be in a village in Timor-Leste or in a school in Uganda. Mainly used with younger audiences, the immersive nature of 360 videos allows them to explore at their own pace, fostering a deeper connection and understanding.

“They can witness the daily life of people that live thousands of miles away while being here in Australia, in their classroom,” says Tony Johnston, Diocesan Director in the Adelaide Archdiocese. “Through this innovative way of connecting, we can see that students are more engaged and show

more empathy, making it a powerful educational tool, leading to inspire the next generation of missionaries.”

Using familiar forms of technology enables young people to connect with the work of Catholic Mission, as Tony highlights:

It fosters a unique and deeper connection, which would have been difficult to achieve through other mediums. They see us as relevant because we are in their space and using their language to communicate. It enables us to nurture their eagerness to create a more just world.”

The 360 videos are more than just a storytelling tool. They are an efficient way to create a profound awareness and self-awareness that engages students at a deeper level with the great work of Mission. Since the program’s creation in 2017, the 360 videos have inspired tens of thousands of young people.

Learn more

Above: Immerse yourself in a school in Uganda.

Local Reflections

To understand what ‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’ really means, we asked some of Catholic Mission’s staff from around Australia to reflect on the 2023 theme. Here is what they shared with us.

Learn more

We invite you to share your reflection on ‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’. Connect with us on social media or email your reflection to media@catholicmission.org.au to be part of the next edition of Mission Today.

“‘Hearts on fire, feet on the move’ is a reminder of Pope Francis’ call to go out to the peripheries, not only geographical but the existential peripheries of our time.

As Catholic Mission, we are called to continue the work of Jesus on this earth to bring glad tidings to the poor.

I am inspired by supporters and staff in their generosity for Mission, much like our foundress Blessed Pauline Jaricot’s work in response to the spiritual and material needs of her time.

In my role as Donor Relations Officer, it is a privilege to explore various activities directed towards more than just distributing funds for the people most in need, but to living and promoting the missionary spirit. The Holy Spirit’s work in us inspires us to set out with hearts ablaze, eyes wide open, and feet always moving onward, heavenward.”

Patrice Ocampo Donor Relations Officer – Melbourne

“World Mission Month inspires me to reflect on my work for Mission.

I believe that we must first imagine the ‘better world’ and sit for a while in the liminal space, between what is and what can be. This space strengthens my recognition of our interconnection and interdependence with all of creation, and a spirituality that holds my heart on fire and feet on the move, even when the world’s problems can seem wicked and hopeless.

The recent completion of a Master of Education – Social Ecology, encourages how I live in, and see the world. A rich learning experience that I was able to integrate with our work at Catholic Mission, it helped me to better understand and appreciate the life-giving work of our organisation.

So, whatever inspires you, I hope your heart burns bright, and your steps never falter. We are all in this together.”

Liesje Barratt Mission Formation Coordinator

“To make a real difference in this world we need to be driven by a deep motivation, a vocational call that resides in our inner being, our heart if you will.

As a Christian I believe this is the Holy Spirit working within me. But until I find a way to embody that call with concrete actions I will remain restless, unfulfilled and perhaps even self-centred. So, my feet need to move and keep moving to be faithful to the heart that is on fire. The two concepts are interdependent.

When my heart is on fire there is no way to stop my feet moving, but my feet will not move in the right direction if my heart is not on fire. Being an authentic Christian demands both, and that is the work of the Holy Spirit working within me as a missionary disciple.”

Mark Raue Diocesan Director – Wollongong

Listen to Mark’s words and get inspired today.

Synodality and Reconciliation: Reflections from MOHMV

In May this year, Catholic Mission had the privilege to of co-hosting the Mission: one heart many voices (MOHMV) conference in Sydney, a biennial gathering that focuses on themes of truth-telling, reconciliation, and synodality.

Among the highly anticipated keynote speakers, Her Excellency Chiara Porro, the Ambassador of Australia to the Holy See, discussed the importance of storytelling and partnerships for a better world. As she expressed the importance of reconciliation through storytelling, Chiara’s words resonated with the audience.

A subject that was also at the core of Dean Parkin’s address. Director of From the Heart, Dean is a strong advocate and has been consulting on the Uluru Statement From the Heart. His address to the public engaged both their hearts and minds by reminding the audience of the co-joint history of Australia and the First Nations.

Dean demonstrated the importance of understanding and building bridges toward creating a pathway for the future, highlighting that this pathway is a collaborative one, and should be

similar to the one walked for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

MOHMV offered a meaningful space to start the discussion and reflection. To support each of our discernment processes, Catholic Mission has created a dedicated space on our website to provide our supporters with resources and information.

“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with First Nations people, by creating pathways of understanding and collaboration. With synodality as a critical principle to our approach, we aim to create a space where we all stand united,” says Peter Gates, Deputy National Director at Catholic Mission.

Learn more

Above: Dean Parkin engaging people’s hearts and minds.

Dean states, We gave it [the Uluru Statement from the Heart] to you [the people] because that is where we put our beliefs and conviction.”

Learn more

Time to Kick Goals for Good this Socktober!

This year Socktober was launched with a lot of excitement as it coincided with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with all eyes on the Matildas.

Inspired by the national team’s deep run into the finals, students have been more engaged than ever in Socktober, Catholic Mission’s youth engagement program, knowing that beyond sharing a great time with their friends and classmates, they have the opportunity to kick goals for good.

Matt Poynting, the campaign lead, says, Socktober is a great way to remind students and their families, that there are children around the world who love this sport just as much as they do, but that is sometimes where the equality ends.”

This year’s campaign, reaching its peak during World Mission Month in October, focuses on the life and challenges met by children living in the town of Venilale, Timor-Leste. It spotlights the issues of health, well-being, and education in the

community, as the country still deals with poverty, health crises, and trauma from its struggle for independence.

“Through discovering the personal stories of young people in need, and what is being done to support them, our students here can better understand the importance of Mission, and the critical role they play in supporting it. Each year, we witness a real emotional connection. Students are deeply relating to the stories through the link of soccer,” says Matt.

Last year’s Socktober campaign achieved incredible success, raising over $612,000 for vital projects in Ethiopia and various parts of the globe. This year, Catholic Mission is rallying students and educators to go one better for the people of Timor-Leste.

“As we launch Socktober 2023, we are reminded of the overwhelming support and generosity shown by the students and schools across Australia last year,” says Matt.

Above: Jose, a young Timorese boy who dreams of playing like Messi one day.

Meet with Jose and Maria, two young Timorese students who share their hopes for the future with you…

Olá, eu sou a Maria! (Hello, I am Maria!)

I’m 12 years old, and I love learning at school.

When I was younger, my father died, and the Salesian Sisters took care of me. Now, it feels like home for me. If I wasn’t here, I would not have the same opportunities to learn. I am now at the top of my class!

When I am not studying, I love to play soccer, and my favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo! He’s very famous and I see him on TV a lot.

One day I hope to travel, but first, I dream of becoming a mechanic so that I can help to improve transportation in my country.

When I pray, I ask God to help me achieve

Hi, I’m Jose!

I am 12 years old and love soccer! My favourite things are scoring goals and juggling the ball. I’m pretty good at school too! Though I am only young, I have already faced many challenges in life.

Growing up, I suffered from severe malnutrition because I was unable to eat the food I needed. Fortunately, the Salesian Sisters were there, and gave me the necessary nutrition and vitamins, allowing me to grow.

Maria, 12

How to be a Socktober Star:

Join as a solo player, a team member or a captain in under 10 minutes. Customise your page and write your personal story.

Now, my grandma often takes me to the Clinic for regular check-ups. Thanks to the Sisters, I can pursue my dream, and maybe become a professional soccer player like Messi someday.

Jose, 12

YES, I want to journey with Sr Carolina this World Mission Month

Here is my single gift of:

$50 can contribute towards the employment of a nurse for the clinic.

$80 can help purchase the life-saving medication that families like Petrolina and Vitoria’s require.

$130 can help purchase milk and food for babies with under-nutrition.

My choice

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