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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.

As the cover states, our work this year is anchored in the theme: ‘hearts on fire, feet on the move.’

I am proud to share with you the ever-growing range of the work our mission partners are achieving and the positive change they hope to bring about. This year our project booklet explores a range of mission development projects around the world, with a considered focus on the Salesian Sisters’ work in Timor-Leste.

I especially draw your attention to the Sustainable Development Goals (pages 20-21) as a snapshot of the lasting impact synodality and relationship building can truly have.

Thank you for your generous support and willingness to join us, through prayer, advocacy, and action. It enables us to walk alongside our mission partners as they strive to bring the light of Christ into the world.

Fr Brian

National Director

Cover image: Siblings in front of the Maria Auxiliadora Clinic in Venilale, Timor-Leste.

Contents Image: Children in front of their home in a local village in Venilale, TimorLeste.

“… their hearts burned within them as they heard the Scriptures explained by Jesus, their eyes were opened as they recognized him and, ultimately, their feet set out on the way.”

The above excerpt from the World Mission Day Message for 2023 deeply spoke to me, even more so following my journey to Timor-Leste.

© Catholic Mission 2023

ABN: 52 945 927 066

I recently travelled to Timor-Leste at the end of 2022, to visit some of the partners you will read about in this booklet. I came away from this trip inspired. Meeting our mission partners firsthand and seeing the communities they work in and the amazing work they do was powerful. I got to witness the fire that burns within them, which ignited my fire even more, and re-iterated the importance of my role to share stories with respect, honesty, and passion.

Isabella Giannasca, Campaign Coordinator

As we move through another year, we are finding the need to pivot as a global community, the world is shifting; more than ever, it is important to reach out to those around us and support those in need.

“The more you look, the more you see.”

Above is a quote from a man called Huat, who I met while visiting our partners in Cambodia in 2022. It is easy to feel disconnected and slightly downtrodden with the events going on in our world at the moment. We cannot underestimate what each of us as individuals can do in our communities. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you, keep doing what you are doing, be kind, do what you can, keep looking.

Bridget Barber, Communications Officer (Programs)

Our Work Explained

Maria Auxiliadora Clinic

St Mary Mazzarello Vocational School

Fountain of Life Centre

Improving Lives Through Education

Phnom Voah Training Centre & Hotel

The Sustainable Development Goals

Our Unique Approach