CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION

Conclusion

I thank my God that the members of our Order resonate so authentically to the call of the Gospel and to the Order’s founding principles, Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum: nurturing, witnessing, and protecting the faith; and serving the poor and the sick.

Members of the Central Southern Region continue to nurture, witness and protect the faith, serving the poor and the sick.

Northern Central Region Hospitaller: Sean Parnell- KMG (Ob)

Notwithstanding the attempts by COVID-19 to disrupt our work this year, we have been remarkably successful in undertaking some works, albeit on a reduced scale working with the difficulties in connecting with the poor with face to face restrictions.

Serving Those in need in Central Australia, the Living Heart of the Nation 50 Coats and 200 blankets were distributed in Central Australia mostly to Arrernte people who are very grateful. Coats were distributed to the people living at Santa Teresa, Amoonguna, and many older people living in and transiting in Alice Springs. The distribution of the warm clothing was greeted with joyful expressions wherever we went and was most appreciated.

The Alice Springs work has included visits to town camps, communities and people’s homes – outreach to old people particularly including dialysis patients, distribution of coats, blankets, rosary bead packs, Lourdes Holy Water. We have also assisted in to undertake a feasibility study by a local consultant to firm up our proposal for a flexible aged care facility within Santa Teresa itself. Preliminary discussions with the Diocese have been positive and The Bishop is supportive of the direction of the endeavour. This is particularly important for Santa Teresa as the level of poverty that surrounds people in Central Australia, and issues people face in relation to chronic diseases, overcrowded living conditions and lack of basic resources and appropriate accommodation for many elderly people on dialysis, are major obstacles that people are overcoming on a daily basis. The work that we are exploring would be a concrete example of the mission Obsequium Pauperum and in that sense will also serve these people and meet their long term needs and aspirations. host a visit from our President James Douglas KHD and his wife Margaret. We were able to meet with Bishop Charles Gauci and discuss our works in the region and also show him around those in need in the area, while also delivering some much-appreciated packages and everyday essentials to those living rough and in the long grass. Our Magistral Chaplain Fr Malcolm Fyfe VG MSC also hosted a meal, some reflection and Mass at his residence at the “ranch” for which we were very grateful.

Serving the Poor and Homeless. For the World Day of the Poor our region prepared some meals for the homeless at various locations around the foreshore of Darwin. This was a resounding success for our Order and the people we encountered were both grateful and joyful for our time and gifts.

Additionally, the members of the region continued our assistance with feeding the poor once COVID-19 restrictions had been eased by the preparation and distribution of meals on a regular basis with the Missionaries of Charity here in Darwin.

We undertook a trial run of undertaking this work on our own with a small group here in the Territory and a small handful of volunteers. We are confident that in this coming year we will be able to distribute these meals to those in need on our own now without impinging on the work of the Missionaries of charity but complimentary to the great work they do. We are fortunate that by this example all our members will have had the opportunity to undertake “hands on” work with our Lords the sick and poor. We are as always reaching out and open to new ideas and new ways to serve the poor in our region.

Advocacy Work

Members of the Order, principally Confrère Carlo and Consoeur Maria Randazzo, continue their effective advocacy work helping those trying to navigate the bureaucratic maze of government