National Director’s Report

It is my privilege to present this Annual Report which gives a brief outline of the work of Catholic Mission during the past year.

I am grateful to Cardinal Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, for appointing me to a second five‑year term as National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) known here in Australia as Catholic Mission.

This past financial year has been like no other. The global pandemic of COVID‑19 has had a dramatic impact locally and has been catastrophic for many of our mission partners around the world. The work of Catholic Mission is to provide prayerful and material support especially in those places where the Church is a minority, faces persecution, or lacks the material resources that we in Australia are grateful to be able to access. Our initiative to promote the pilgrimage of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents was cut short when the pandemic closed churches here in Australia. Nevertheless, we have had encouraging feedback about the positive impact the pilgrimage had on local communities. Our Communications team worked collaboratively with other countries to produce a video themed #WeAreStillHere, which has now been distributed widely and translated into multiple languages “from Arabic to Zulu”. It reinforces the message that missionaries are still engaged with their communities notwithstanding the challenges of the pandemic.

I am especially grateful to all the staff who showed great resilience and flexibility with the challenge of COVID‑19 shutdowns and working from home.

Australia was invited by the Pontifical Missionary Union to lead a major international conference on communication and fundraising which was eventually held virtually with over 220 participants for 15 hours over five days, spanning 18 time zones. The ease of technology is certainly changing how we do things. It was a unique opportunity that will promote even greater international cooperation for years to come. The stories of the projects contained in this report are it just a snapshot of the extraordinary commitment of you, our supporters, who share your faith as missionary disciples. Thank you for all that you do.

Yours in Christ,

Fr Brian Lucas National Director

Part of the international Pontifical Mission Societies/Missio network

•Propagation of the Faith • Children’s Mission • St Peter Apostle