Northern Central

North Central Region Hospitaller: Maria Randazzo DMG

In 2018, the service in North Central Region progressed well in terms of consolidation of its activities and consistency in practising the Order’s charisma Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum. It also saw the opening of new opportunities and collaborations with some of the charitable and Catholic organisations present in the Northern Territory.

Catholic Advocacy Service

Throughout 2018, we have been dealing with new advocacy cases, mostly involving administrative assistance to disadvantaged individuals and single mothers.

In addition, we have consistently provided advocacy support for a ‘Capacity Building’ approach to the current development work of the Indigenous ministries within Central Australian Parishes.

The Capacity Building approach is aimed at facilitating grass roots community development that empowers and supports our Indigenous brothers and sisters in their endeavours to take action, bring about change, and improve their standard of living. The proposed approach is framed within a social justice framework. It enhances human and social capital by building local capacities in cultural, intellectual, organisational, social, political, and economic projects that achieve practical sustainable outcomes for Indigenous families. This model provides an intergenerational, multi-dimensional, culturally oriented local response to implement action and change.

Coats, Blankets, and Rosary Kits in Central Australia

The distribution of coats, blankets, Rosary kits and Holy Water from Lourdes has been carried out in Central Australia, specifically in Alice Springs and Santa Teresa (also known as the Ltyentye Apurte Community, located about 80 kilometres south-east of Alice Springs). Alice Springs and Santa Teresa are becoming one of the focal points of service for the Northern Central Region of the Order Of Malta.

The distribution has been realised by the members, with the assistance of a few local volunteers. Father Raass (the parish priest of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Alice Springs), Sister Wiemers and Fr Prakash (Santa Teresa parish) have greatly facilitated the distribution by coordinating and providing storage of the goods to be donated.

This year, the distribution has targeted predominantly Indigenous people of the Arrernte Community, the traditional owners of country, east of and around Alice Springs.

Donations

In the past year we have donated furniture to St Vincent de Paul for needy families and assisted with the preparation and distribution of Christmas hampers for the needy.

The yearly donation of Massbooks to Mother Teresa Primary School in Palmerston has been coordinated with the Northern Territory Catholic Education Office.

Annual Mass and Retreat

Our yearly Mass and retreat was held in Alice Springs from 8 to 9 September 2018. Father Raass celebrated Mass and led the retreat, assisted by our Chaplain Father Malcolm Fyfe. After the retreat, the members visited the White Gate Camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs and were warmly welcomed by a number of the residents. On this occasion, more coats and blankets were distributed. The members also visited Santa Teresa, where they met some members of the Indigenous community for morning tea. It was a grace-filled time for exploring further ways to assist the Arrernte People and to engage more volunteers in Central Australia.

Finally, we were privileged and honoured to be invited for a guided ‘walk through country’ at Heavitree Gap, and to participate in a smoking ceremony welcoming us to country.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Unity Diocesan Magazine

This year, the members’ individual contributions to Unity have included articles on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal peoples, faith and equality: Balancing religious freedom rights, equality rights in a multicultural society, and the Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Creating Leaders Scholarship Program in Dili

On 28 October 2018, a few members, in their quality of sponsors of some of the students, met 14 students of the Scholarship program at the Order of Malta Embassy in Dili, aged six to 17. The students were presented with the donation of a laptop to use at the Embassy, and with individual gifts. They all are committed to their studies, striving to give their best academically, and notwithstanding their challenging family and economic circumstances.

Candidacy for Membership of two Postulants in Timor-Leste

The Northern-Central Region is supervising the probationary year of two postulants from Dili, who will subsequently join the Singapore Association. The first meeting took place at the Apostolic Nunciature in Dili on 27 October 2018. Monsignor Mario Codamo, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conducted Mass and a mini-retreat. Monsignor Codamo was conferred the Order pro Merito Melitensi – Cross pro Piis Meritis

(Ecclesiastics Class) in recognition of his dedication to and support of the Order of Malta’s mission in Timor-Leste. Three members and one postulant from our region attended the meeting.

Ordination of Father Charles Gauci as the 5th Bishop of Darwin

On 26 September 2018, the members of the Order in Darwin and several interstate members attended the ordination of Father Charles Gauci as the fifth Bishop of Darwin. Bishop Gauci was born on 31 March 1952 at Floriana, a fortified town in the South Eastern Region area of the island Republic of Malta.

Bishop Gauci gave his blessing for the members of the Order to process into the Cathedral with him on his ordination and has assured us of his ongoing support and blessings for the work of the Order in the Diocese and beyond.

The ordination was a wonderful event testifying to the depth and breadth of the vibrant cultural diversity of the Territory. There was a special smoking ceremony before we processed into the church and an emphasis on Indigenous spirituality within the Diocese.

The members of the Order in the Northern Territory thank Bishop Charles for his active support of the Order and his blessing for our involvement in his ordination and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with him during his time in the Territory.

In September 2018, the members of the Order in Darwin and several interstate members attended the ordination of Father Charles Gauci as the fifth Bishop of Darwin.