Your generosity in action December 2021 • catholicmission.org.au • 1800 257 296
You have helped support mothers from vulnerable backgrounds and their babies during their time of most need. Thank you.
Thank you for standing with mothers when hope seemed lost Your generosity has made it possible for women who are pregnant and mothers with nowhere to turn to find a refuge and loving care during their time of most need.
Without you, Sr Chalaad and the Good Shepherd Sisters in Thailand would be unable to ensure women like Churai* are given a hand up to help them build a better life for themselves and their newborn babies. Read more >
From the National Director
Your Impact with Communities
Dear friend,
Even through the rise of COVID‑19 in Thailand, Sr Chalaad has been able to keep the doors of the Mother and Babies Home open, as the need for its services is simply too high, and many mothers have had nowhere else to turn.
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As we approach Christmas and the end of 2021, I want to share with you my sincere gratitude for your gracious support this past year. While the pandemic continues to cause challenges for many around the world, including here in Australia, together we are pulling through.
Sadly though, the Home has not been spared from the devastation of the virus.
Despite this, your generosity this year has helped to support missionaries like Sr Chalaad, who is walking alongside young mothers like Churai and their babies in Thailand, giving life and bringing hope to those in most need.
“The COVID‑19 situation in Thailand during this period is very critical. In the Mother and Babies Home, there were six people infected with the coronavirus. In total, three have recovered, and two still need treatment.”
From the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia to the Emmaus Spirituality Centre in Zambia, you will find more inspiring examples of how you have made a difference through your support of Catholic Mission this year. As I reflect on the people and work that inspire me, I am reminded of our foundress, Pauline Jaricot, who decided to support missionaries through prayer and financial support, thus starting the first Pontifical Mission Society in 1822. As we celebrate the 200th year since its founding next year, we hope that you are inspired by the life of Pauline, a young woman with a vision to help, passion to act and enthusiasm to involve others.
Despite these challenges, Sr Chalaad was excited to share that Churai, a young mother who found herself at the Home after falling pregnant and being abandoned by her partner, has given birth to her son, and has continued
I hope that you are able to take the time during this busy period to explore this update and reflect on how your simple acts of giving and prayer make this all possible. Yours in Christ,
Fr Brian Lucas National Director
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Friends in Faith
Churai now has a job that helps her provide for herself and her son.
Churai has been supported through her motherhood journey, especially for the birth of her baby boy.
to receive support from the Mother and Babies Home through taking her to medical appointments, and providing parenting and career advice. Now employed at a local hospital on the housekeeping staff, Churai has a stable income stream to support herself and her son. She is extremely grateful for the support she has received through the Home.
“I would like to say thank you very much to all the Australians who helped and supported the Mother and Babies Home. By doing so, it gives mothers and children the opportunity of a lifetime, and find hope for the future.” Thank you for your generous support of the Mother and Babies Home. Please continue to keep Churai, Sr Chalaad and the other mothers at the Home in your prayers as the country continues to face the impact of COVID‑19. *Name and images altered to protect identity.
Mission Together – Your generosity in action
Your Impact in Ghana
Ghana Mission Partners
A farm near Bolgatanga serves the needs of many agriculture, helping to give them education and support along their journey. Lastly, the Farm provides each child at the CCD an opportunity to learn about agriculture and farming and get a hands‑on experience for this career path.
Agriculture and farming is a common career in northern Ghana, and with the right tools and education, provides many families with a stable income stream.
The Centre for Child Development (CCD) in northern Ghana offers children from rural areas a safe place to live, access to education and opportunities to follow their career aspirations. With 40 children currently enrolled at the centre, ensuring that each child receives nutritious food, healthcare and educational resources, and that ongoing maintenance of the centre is achieved, can be quite costly. Felix Frederick Amenga‑Etego, manager of the CCD, and the Diocese of Navrongo‑Bolgatanga have developed a solution to creating a stable income to supplement these necessary expenses: the CCD Farm. The Farm generates profit from the sale of animals and products, and this profit goes directly to the Mission Together – Your generosity in action
CCD to help ensure it can continue supporting children in need. In addition, the Farm also lends a hand for others in the local region. Reliant on what he makes from his cattle herd for a living, local farmer Ayabire has been working with the CCD Farm to learn more about cattle rearing, especially the importance of disease control and vaccination to ensure his herd stay healthy, and to ensure the best outcome for him and his family. He is one of 15 farmers that were able to access this education thanks to the CCD Farm. Food products bought to feed animals at the Farm – bean chaff and maize – were purchased from 60 local women suppliers, and the Farm also provides an opportunity for unemployed youth to explore a career in
The Farm has been able to support some of the costs of the CCD already, and is looking to expand further in the next year to not only increase the support it can provide, but to become more self‑sustainable. Thank you for generously supporting projects like the CCD Farm which makes such an incredible difference for many in northern Ghana. Your gifts for essential community programs like this help to make an impact now and into the future.
Fred manages the CCD Home which benefits directly from the support from the Farm.
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Your Impact with Church Leaders
Leaders for Life and Seminarian Supporters Program
Preparing the future of the Church in Zambia
Seminarians in the classroom at the Emmaus Spirituality Centre.
Around the world there are young men and women who dedicate their lives to God by becoming priests and sisters. Their selfless commitment is inspiring – from those who serve in bustling city centres, to those who work in the most remote and expansive parishes in the world. Thousands of communities are supported through the work of these Church leaders. Education and formation are key in ensuring that priests and sisters are prepared for their life of service, and it is people like Fr Timothy Chikweto PPS, Rector of the Emmaus Spirituality Centre (ESC) in Zambia, who are integral in their journey. Fr Timothy recently shared about the wide range of activities that the seminarians at Emmaus take part in each day. Prayer 4
and meditation are pillars of the schedule throughout the day, interspersed with academic and spiritual education, sports and recreation.
“My hope is that each seminarian will find the program and facilities at Emmaus helpful and conducive for discernment and prayer so that they can embrace the vocation to the priesthood freely and joyfully.”
Church in Zambia is working to support those in most need though agriculture and banking programs aimed at empowering disadvantaged families. Programs like this form part of the ministry of seminarians when they are ordained priests, and Fr Timothy knows that the formation they receive now will have a flow‑on effect in the future. “Your support has a direct bearing on and goes a long way to ensuring the growth and sustenance of the Church in Zambia,” he says.
Fr Timothy explains that the
Thank you for your faithful support of the formation and education of future Church leaders like those at the Emmaus Spirituality Centre and around the world, so that they can make a real and meaningful difference in the communities they serve.
Mission Together – Your generosity in action
In Zambia, there are many families and communities that live in poverty. Some are unsure of their next meal, have limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and are unable to access education.
Your Impact in Cambodia
Cambodia Mission Partners
Chea Rattana has a second family thanks to Arrupe Chea Rattana, a resident at the Arrupe Centre, is one of the 21 children and young people with disability that are currently supported through education and life skills training to create opportunities for their future. He shares his experience living at the Arrupe Centre in Battambang, Cambodia, below. “My name is Chea Rattana. I am sixteen years old. I was born and raised in Nikum Knong Village, Cambodia. I was born in 2006, and after a year, I became ill, and one of my legs—my left leg—is now unable to walk. I moved into Arrupe Centre in 2017. I received a lot of help at Arrupe Centre that I never received from my community. Here, Arrupe has given me a golden opportunity to get a proper education, comfortable housing, adequate school supplies, and delicious and plentiful food. My life at home and here are completely different. I come from a small town where getting to school is difficult. The road conditions are not suitable for someone with a disability such as myself. Here, the staff treats me as if I were a member of their own family, and I feel at ease and secure. They are like a second family to me. Treat me as a son, take care of me when I’m sick, and correct me when I’m wrong. Furthermore, due to COVID‑19, Mission Together – Your generosity in action
Chea Rattana shares what life is like for him as a resident at the Arrupe Centre.
the team provided emergency assistance to my family. Life at Arrupe Centre is very interesting. Education is at the heart of our daily lives. We learn how to do things on our own and live independently by washing our own clothes and doing some cleaning. Sports are something that my friends and I enjoy doing. We play football, basketball, and volleyball on occasion. There’s also tennis. We have a lot of fun when we get together and play sports, which allows us to unwind after a long day of studying. We also do housework in order to keep our home clean. I don’t feel alone because I’ve made new friends and we’re all
the same—some of my friends are blind, have polio, and have been in a land mine accident. These are some of my best friends. Arrupe Center is like a second family to me.” As Ros Sokha, the manager of the Arrupe Centre says,
“The help of Catholic Mission has changed the Arrupe students’ lives and given them full lives and dignity”. Thank you for coming alongside children like Chea Rattana and helping them achieve a brighter future through your support as a Cambodia Mission Partner. 5
Your Impact in Myanmar
Myanmar Mission Partners
Cardinal Bo calls for peace for a nation in conflict “Human dignity is given by God … Peace is still possible. Peace is the way.” As this challenging situation continues to devastate the people of Myanmar, the Church is still working on the ground to give life back to those in need.
“Peace is still possible. Peace is the way.” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo and the Church are focused on the needs of their people in Myanmar, especially through the current period of unrest.
For nearly a year now, the people of Myanmar have faced ongoing conflict and uncertainty. With over 1,000 lives lost since February, the Church is praying and advocating for healing and peace throughout this tumultuous time. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo and the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Myanmar appeal for peace and prayer for the people.
You may remember St John’s School in the mountainous Chin State in north‑western Myanmar. As a way to keep staff, students and families safe, the school has been non‑operational since the political instability began in February 2021. Not only are children missing critical education, but the teaching and support staff employed at St John’s were left with no source of income. Fr Lucas Tha Ling Sum – Chancellor of Hakha Diocese – explains the challenges the staff and families face.
“In Myanmar, life is insecure and threated by both COVID‑19 and political instability. Many people are very much worried for their food, shelter, medicine, and security. Prices of food and medicine are increasing every day. Sometimes, we cannot get what we need.” Through your generosity, Catholic Mission has been able to support the dedicated teachers and staff at St John’s by supplementing their salaries. This means 19 people are able to continue supporting themselves and their families during this uncertain time. Thank you for your continued faith‑filled support which has helped support teachers and staff with income throughout the pandemic. Please keep the people of Myanmar in your prayers as the instability continues.
“We are not politicians, we are faith leaders, accompanying our people in their journey towards human dignity.” “For the last seven decades this country has been in conflict. Only tears and brokenness of innocent people remains. Despite recent events, as a nation we need to invest in peace.” 6
Teachers like Principal Theresa at St Johns School are able to support themselves and their families while schools are closed in Myanmar.
Mission Together – Your generosity in action
Your Impact with Children
Children’s Mission Partners
It’s not too late to give hope and health this Christmas! “The number of children with malaria is equivalent to those who have malnutrition. This year, four children under the age of five have dies from treatable illnesses.” Children like Grace rely on the medication and care provided by Sr Nilcéia and her team, but they rely on the kindness and generosity of supporters like you to ensure they can continue this life‑saving work.
Sr Nilcéia and her team at the Lisanjala Health Centre rely on the support of others to ensure they can provide health care for the local community.
Baby Grace* lay limp in her mother’s arms as Peter, the clinician at the Lisanjala Health Clinic in rural Malawi examined the small child.
If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to lend you support this Christmas, we invite you to respond today using the enclosed form, scanning the QR code, or donating online at catholicmission.org.au/hope. Your faith‑filled gift will support many programs around the world – just like the Lisanjala Health
Clinic in Malawi – meaning more children and communities in need will be given the care and support they need this Christmas. Thank you for your generosity, as it makes an impact not only for those in need, but it helps encourage missionaries who work tirelessly to serve their communities. As Sr Nilcéia says, “We take courage from knowing you are with us in this mission … together we are saving and protecting life.‘’ *Name altered to protect identity
SCAN QR CODE HERE
Thankfully, that day the Clinic had stock of the life‑saving malaria medication to help treat Grace’s condition – but this is not always the case. Run by Sr Nilcéia, the Clinic provides healthcare for hundreds of families in Lisanjala and the surrounding rural areas. Health issues such as malaria and malnutrition consistently plague the community. Clinician Peter shares that sadly, not everyone that comes to the Clinic can be helped due to lack of supplies. Mission Together – Your generosity in action
Please give generously today to support more precious babies and children in need through critical mission programs like the Lisanjala Health Clinic.
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In the midst of grief, hope prevails by David McGovern see religious sisters able to share both their faith and access to medical and surgical facilities.
“My faith is fundamental to who I am. I have been blessed by God with so much – a loving wife, two beautiful children, the capacity to earn an income through my work, the gift of being a wordsmith and a writer. All that I have is a blessing from our Lord, who loves us and wants us to flourish. While this notion has been easier to grasp in some seasons, it was difficult in the passing of my two children, Amber Rose and Brodie Joshua, in 2000 and 2010, respectively, and my wife, Celena, in 2017. As I reflected on my time with Celena, Amber and Brodie, I realised how fortunate we were to have access to good health care. Having been to places like Myanmar, Uganda, Timor Leste and India, I know that not all
The legacy from my children and wife is hope. It is my prayer and desire to see this hope available to all.” countries are as privileged as Australia. For some children born with disabilities or who experience illness while growing up, it is only the Church and those who serve as missionaries that can make the difference between life and death. I want to see young mums able to give birth without fear of losing their life or the life of their child; I want to see children afflicted by land mine explosions able to remain mobile and be all that God created them to be; I want to
Like David, by choosing to include Catholic Mission in your Will, you can leave a legacy of hope for children and communities served by missionaries around the world. Your gift, no matter how large or small, will make a real difference in the lives of children and families for generations to come. To consider leaving a gift in your Will to Catholic Mission, please call 1800 257 296 or email wills@catholicmission.org.au.
For Prayer & Reflection
Your Faith in Action
“Let us learn from Christ how to pray, to forgive, to sow peace, and to be near those in need.”
• Give the gift of health and hope this Christmas by supporting programs like the Lisanjala Health Centre in Malawi. Use the enclosed coupon, go to catholicmission.org.au/hope or scan the QR code here.
Pope Francis
• For our mission partners and people living in communities around the world that continue to be impacted by COVID‑19. • For our brothers and sisters in Christ, that they may be able to come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas.
• Show your love this Christmas with Life‑Giving Gifts that show how much you care while making an incredible difference! Find the perfect gift for any occasion at catholicmission.org.au/gifts.
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