Mission Today- Spring Summer 2026

SPRINGSUMMER 2026

HOPE EXHIBITION 07 MALAWI 08 SOCKBALL COMPETITION 18

Stay Connected PO Box 1668 North Sydney NSW 2059 info@catholicmission.org.au 1800 257 296 @catholicmission @catholicmission @catholicmissionTV catholicmission.org.au Cover image: Pope Leo XIV praying at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Saurimo during his 2026 Apostolic Journey to Angola. Credit: Vatican Media Editor: Astrid Delayre Contributors: Pauline Garland, Isabella Giannasca Pereira, Simone Medri, Fiona Ng, Adrienne Williams Photos: Simone Medri, Catholic Mission partners Design: Maria Fernanda Ramos, Smarta By Design Printed by: IVE Group Names of people under 18 years have been changed.

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.

This publication may include images of deceased persons.

A Message from the National Director It is a pleasure to join with you in this special edition of Mission Today in the lead up to the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, which was first celebrated worldwide in 1926. The stories within these pages remind us of the beautiful way mission brings us together locally and globally through our work at Catholic Mission. We are indeed, ‘One in Christ, united in mission’.

In Pope Leo’s World Mission Sunday Message for October 18, he calls us to a close relationship with Christ; one in Christ. In so doing we are not only in agreement or belonging but working together, united, in bringing God’s mission of love forth in the world. Pope Leo goes on to describe this mission in a lovely word triptych: ‘born of love, lived in love, and leading to love’.

This oneness, unity and love are highlighted in the various narratives and stories in this edition, particularly those describing how the people of Malawi manage the challenges of their lives and give witness to love and unity. Fr Matthew Semba, the Director of Social Services for the Chikwawa Diocese in Malawi, walks alongside the people and together they work to manage and improve education, food security, clean water and more to create a thriving community.

Individuals like 12-year-old Yamikani have transformational future possibilities through these works of mission championed by Fr Matthew and supported through the generosity of faithful and good-spirited people like you.

On reflection, these are stories of communion and grace.

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As you read these stories, I hope you will see, feel and hear much – especially within the whisperings of your heart. May you know and be reassured that lives are transformed through your generosity and love. Thank you for your continued support, your trust, and your belief in a world where community, solidarity and love can flourish among all peoples.

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Together, we continue to be missionaries, One in Christ, united in mission, so that all may have life.

© Copyright Catholic Mission 2026 ABN 52 945 927 066

Much peace,

Peter Gates National Director

Part of the international Pontifical Mission Societies/Missio network • Propagation of the Faith • Children’s Mission • St Peter Apostle • Pontifical Missionary Union

In this Issue 04 How Is Mission Alive in Australia?

06 From our Archives 07 A Century of Mission through the Lens of Hope 08 Focus on Mission: Malawi 10 Building a Future in Kampira Village 12 Fr Matthew: Walking with the People towards a Better Future 14 Talking Mission 16 The Hope Project: Empowering Young People to Live Mission 18 A Once-in-a-Century Sockball Challenge 19 A Prayer to the Creator

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How Is Mission Alive in Australia?

As we celebrate 100 years of World Mission Sunday, we are reminded that mission is not something we only support in other countries; it also begins here at home, in our own hearts, our families and our communities.

By looking around us, we can see that mission is alive and vibrant in more ways than we often imagine. Every act of faith, compassion and service reflects God’s love at work in the world.

As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, ‘mission is born in love, led by love, and lived through love’.

Here are a few examples of how that mission is flourishing in communities across Australia.

Prayers Prayer reminds us that mission can begin wherever we are, including within our own hearts. It does not always begin with action.

Sometimes, it begins by simply pausing, listening and praying.

It is at the heart of our parish and community life. We pray for our families and friends, for the needs within our local communities and for people facing hardship around the world.

In doing so, we look beyond ourselves and remain connected to the wider Church and our global family.

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World Mission Appeal Each year, the World Mission Appeal brings communities across Australia together in prayer, solidarity and action, responding to the Holy Father’s call to generosity and care for our sisters and brothers around the world.

This tangible response is an expression of our faith and of the missionary calling we all share through our baptism.

This year, Catholic Mission is inviting Australians to stand alongside communities in Malawi, where families continue to rebuild their lives following devastating floods and displacement.

Find ways to get involved

Mission is Everywhere Every parish volunteer, catechist, teacher, chaplain, youth leader, donor, carer and person who chooses kindness and compassion is helping make God’s love visible in our communities.

Mission is alive wherever faith is put into action: one heart, one encounter and one community at a time.

Advocacy Amplifying voices and creating places where everyone feels welcome are part of our vision for building the Kingdom of God. With practical actions, that vision is brought to life every day - such as through the Community Refugee and Integration and Settlement Program, where parish communities welcome refugees with open arms and support them as they build a new life; or in the Interfaith Encounters Program, which encourages students from Catholic, Islamic and Jewish schools to join together and discover that, beyond our differences, we share a common humanity.

Mission: One Heart Many Voices Conference 2027 Next year people from across Australia will gather in Sydney for the Mission: One Heart Many Voices Conference. More than a conference, it will be a celebration of the many ways mission is lived today.

Being held from May 3 to 5, the event will bring together parish leaders, educators, pastoral workers, leaders of mission, volunteers and people passionate about sharing the Gospel.

Through prayer, formation and practical conversations, participants will return to their communities renewed, equipped and inspired to continue living mission in their everyday lives.

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From our Archives As we look back at a century of World Mission Sunday, historic posters and publications offer a window into the moments that have shaped our shared mission. Behind each image is a story, and often one that continued to unfold long after the original campaign.

1967 India: A legacy of hope In 1967, Catholic Mission took Australian Catholics to India to discover the remarkable efforts of Fr Pierre Ceyrac SJ, who was working with university students to help build a more inclusive society where the needs of marginalised communities were not overlooked.

In Tondiarpet, this work was helping transform a community. Around 450 families had found homes, and students contributed to building roads, developing wells, irrigation and sanitation. A dispensary provided access to healthcare, while a school and kindergarten supported local children, with more than 100 attending.

Through the All India Catholic University Federation, Fr Ceyrac’s approach was grounded in working alongside communities and responding to their needs.

Over the following decades,similar initiatives, such as the Thousand Wells project, grew across India supporting access to water, agriculture and education.

Sixty years later, the impact continues well beyond the story captured in 1967. Today, projects inspired by Fr Ceyrac’s work continue to flourish, supported by local and global partners and reflecting his enduring philosophy: ‘You have to bring hope’.

1980 Vanuatu: Part of our story, part of the story of World Mission Sunday In 1980, the World Mission Sunday Appeal in Australia focused on supporting the Church in Vanuatu, particularly on Pentecost Island.

That same year, Bishop Francis Lambert SM of the Diocese of Port Vila wrote to thank Australian Catholics for their generosity. Their support was helping with the formation of catechists, the construction of a new presbytery, and the expansion of the church at the Mission Station of Melsisi.

His letter came just days after Vanuatu declared independence, capturing a pivotal moment for the country and its people. Bishop Francis asked Australian Catholics for their continued prayers as Vanuatu ‘emerge(d) as a new nation’.

More than four decades later, the connection continues. After Cyclone Harold devastated Melsisi in 2020, destroying its hospital, schools and church, the community began the long process of rebuilding.

In 2025, 313 children received the sacrament of Confirmation, a powerful sign of hope and renewal.

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Experience a century of mission through the lens of hope.

23 Oct – 09 Nov 2026 Australian Catholic University Level 12, Tenison Woods House 8–20 Napier Street, North Sydney NSW 2060

A Century of Mission through the Lens of Hope To celebrate the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, Catholic Mission is presenting a unique photographic exhibition called Hope. Opening on October 23 at ACU North Sydney for three weeks, the display is inspired by the genuine encounters with missionaries and communities around the world.

The artworks are part of Catholic Mission’s exclusive photographic collection. Each image captures the beauty of everyday life, reflected in the eyes of the people and in the hope that continues to flourish within communities, despite the challenges being faced.

“It is an honour for us to bring this exhibition together and offer a way to connect and experience the beauty and warmth of the people we have encountered, walked alongside and shared moments of hope with. These portraits offer an opportunity to reflect on our shared humanity. While our social, economic, political and spiritual circumstances may differ, our hearts are united in Christ,” said Simone Medri, Communications and Digital Director at Catholic Mission and a key photographer whose works are featured in the exhibition.

The exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the stories behind the

photographs, alongside a step back in time with World Mission Sunday posters dating from the 1950s.

“This exhibition is not only a celebration of our history and the impact local and overseas missionaries have had over the past century, it also is a way of saying a heartfelt thank you to all those, including you, who continue to live mission through your daily witness,” shared Peter Gates, National Director at Catholic Mission.

“We hope that everyone who walks through the doors of this exhibition will leave with a renewed sense of hope, inspiration and a deeper appreciation of our shared journey in God’s mission.”

An online gallery will also be available for those who are unable to attend in person, allowing visitors to explore the collection and discover more about the extraordinary impact World Mission Sunday has had over the past century.

Experience Hope online

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Families in Kampira Village are building a new life and creating a place to call home with hope and resilience, despite the challenges they continue to face.

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Learn more Tanzania

Zambia

Malawi

Mozambique

Lilongwe

Focus on Mission: Malawi Malawi is a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa, bordered

by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Zimbabwe

Often referred to as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ for the generosity and resilience of its people, Malawi is a nation rich in culture and community. However, many families continue to face significant challenges. With an economy heavily reliant on agriculture and a predominantly rural population, Malawi is ranked 172 out of 193 countries on the 2022 Human Development Index, reflecting ongoing difficulties in healthcare, education and living standards.

Languages: English (official), Chichewa (national language), with several regional languages including Tumbuka, Yao and Lomwe Capital: Lilongwe Population: Approximately 22 million Catholic rate: 36% Number of dioceses: 8 Economy: Agriculture, fishing, tourism and small scale manufacturing

Poverty remains a daily reality for many communities. More than 70 percent of Malawians live on less than AUD $3.21 a day, while more than 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. As climate change intensifies with prolonged droughts and devastating floods, there is a continuing threat to crops, food security and family incomes.

In the Diocese of Chikwawa in southern Malawi, these challenges are particularly evident. Families live in extreme heat, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 48°C, and rainfall swinging between drought and destructive flooding. For many, each season brings uncertainty and there are the constant challenges of providing enough food, accessing clean water and ensuring children can attend school.

Kampira Village, located on the plains of the Diocese of Chikwawa, is home to more than 500 families. Many arrived after Cyclone Ana caused the Shire River to burst its banks in 2022, washing away entire villages overnight. Some survived only by climbing trees and waiting days to be rescued. Today these families are rebuilding their lives with courage and determination. They are supported by the local Church and communities working together to restore hope and create opportunities for the future.

It is within communities like Kampira that Catholic Mission partners with the local Church, walking alongside families as they respond to immediate needs while helping to build a stronger and more hopeful future.

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Above: An aerial view of Kampira Village, Malawi.

Building a Future in Kampira Village In Malawi’s Chikwawa Diocese, many families are working to create a new place to call home. Displaced from their original homes after Cyclone Ana destroyed their farmland and houses, they had no choice but to relocate.

Thanks to their resilience and the generosity of others, many families have found shelter in Kampira Village.

However, access to food, healthcare and education remains a significant challenge. Employment is never guaranteed, with many adults relying on irregular piecework to support their families. This lack of stable income keeps many households trapped in poverty.

For the children of Kampira Village, access to education is a daily struggle.

With the nearest school several kilometres away, many are unable to attend. Walking barefoot in harsh conditions and unpredictable weather makes the journey difficult, especially on an empty stomach – a reality faced by many children in the community.

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To give children the opportunity to learn, grow and build a brighter future, Catholic Mission, together with the Diocese of Chikwawa and the local community, has committed to bringing the school closer to the students. As the number of displaced families continues to grow, so too does the need for accessible education.

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By supporting the diocese and the local community to build St Peter’s Nyamikuta Primary School, 800 children living in Kampira Village will gain access to education. More than a place of learning, the school will become a renewed sign of a brighter future for families, offering parents the possibility of seeing their children break the cycle of poverty.

The project also includes a daily feeding program to ensure students have access to nutritious meals, which will help them to better focus on their education. More than 10,000 trees will be planted to create a natural barrier around the school and provide shade for students. In addition, two small bridges will be constructed so children can travel safely to school, even during the wet season.

Fr Matthew Semba is working alongside the people of the Diocese of Chikwawa to ensure this project provides far more than education. It will stand as a lasting sign of hope for families who have lost so much and remind them that they have not been forgotten. He shared,

This school will give our people a sense of hope.

They know that God comes to them through the generosity of others.

For children who walked many kilometres to learn, or stayed home because they had nothing to eat, St Peter’s will be a rock. It will show them they can build a better life.”

Constructing St Peter’s Nyamikuta Primary School is a shared effort between the local community and diocese, bringing hope to families as they rebuild their lives and make Kampira Village their home.

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Above: Fr Matthew Semba with children in Kampira Village, where the new St Peter’s Nyamikuta Primary School will provide greater access to education and help ensure no child is left behind.

Fr Matthew: Walking with the People towards a Better Future Father Matthew Semba, Director of Social Services for the Diocese of Chikwawa, plays a key role in the Church’s development work across one of the most vulnerable regions in Malawi.

As Fr Matthew explained, communities across the diocese have endured repeated natural disasters, flooding, drought and food insecurity, often rebuilding their lives with very limited resources.

“We’ve had a lot of problems and natural disasters that we’ve had to weather…but we have also had famine. So we live in a land where there are usually extremes,” he said.

For Fr Matthew, responding to these challenges begins with walking alongside people and listening to what they say they need. His approach is grounded in the experiences, aspirations and knowledge of the communities themselves.

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“Community involvement has been very central to this project… we haven’t been working from top down, we’ve been working from the ground upwards. We went into the communities, looked at

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what their problems were and asked them questions: how can we help you, how best can we help you?”

This philosophy is at the heart of the diocese’s work with Catholic Mission. It means looking beyond a single building or immediate need to consider how education, food security, clean water, livelihoods and the environment can strengthen a community over time, with sustainability at its core.

“We can sell some of the produce from the farm and sort of like revolve the funds. That way we are going to be independent. That way we are going to help the people, even after Catholic Mission is helping other places,” Fr Matthew shared.

It is an approach centred not on dependency, but on accompaniment and creating the conditions for communities to shape their own futures.

“It’s a holistic approach that Catholic Mission is giving us, and that’s the approach that we love the most. And not only maybe to do one project and say, we are done with this, thank you very much.

It’s a journey… to walk with us and we are really grateful because of that.”

A mission for everyone Just as important to Fr Matthew is the belief that this mission must reach everyone, regardless of their faith or background.

It is this long-term vision that sits at the heart of Fr Matthew’s approach: listening first, walking together, and helping communities build something that can continue long into the future.

“It doesn’t matter what religion you belong to. It doesn’t matter whether you pray or you don’t pray, we provide for everybody.”

A brighter future for Yamikani Twelve-year-old Yamikani is one of the many children whose future could be transformed through the approach championed by Fr Matthew and the locl community.

He added that the Church in Chikwawa recognises the dignity of every person and responds wherever there is need.

The mission is to make sure that everybody who is suffering, irrespective of who they are, has to be helped.”

This same thinking shapes Fr Matthew’s hopes for the next generation. Education is not simply about helping one child to attend school but he sees the opportunity for change to ripple outwards – from a child to their family, their community and, eventually across Malawi.

“Maybe when we teach enough of them and they graduate and they are able to get good jobs, they’ll come back to their communities and develop their communities or maybe build another school for themselves after benefiting from this one and do so many other good things in the communities from where they’re coming,” shared Fr Matthew.

Living with a physical disability, Yamikani and his family were relocated to Kampira Village after their home was affected by a cyclone. With limited resources, the family has struggled to put food on the table. The long distance to the nearest school has created an additional challenge, making regular access to education difficult.

The establishment of St Peter’s Nyamikuta Primary School will bring education closer to home, giving Yamikani the opportunity to return to the classroom and continue learning.

For Yamikani and other children in the community, access to education represents much more than going to school. It is an opportunity to develop skills, pursue their aspirations and build a more secure future, helping to break the cycle of poverty.

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Can you tell us about your role at Catholic Mission and your work with the International Commission?

My role supports our brand, communications, digital, and the wonderful teams who bring our mission stories to life for supporters across Australia and provide ways to connect.

Talking Mission is an interview corner which, over the past few years, has shared many stories of hope from around the world.

The people featured inspire us with their recounts of how they turn mission into action.

For this special edition of Mission Today, we spoke with Simone Medri, Director of Communications and Digital at Catholic Mission, about his recent work with the International Commission, exploring how, together, we can make the centenary of World Mission Sunday truly special.

Alongside this, I have the privilege of being part of the coordination group of the International Commission on Communication, Faith-Fundraising and Digital Transformation for the Pontifical Mission Societies. The Commission brings colleagues from all around the world to explore how we communicate mission, invite generosity and embrace digital tools in a way that remains deeply faithful to who we are as a missionary Church. It is a genuinely global conversation, and one that constantly reminds me that mission is not something we do for others, but something we live together.

Above: Simone Medri meeting the Holy Father at the Vatican, presenting him with a cap featuring the 2026 World Mission Sunday theme logo, designed by the Catholic Mission team to celebrate the centenary.

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Earlier this year you presented the work of Catholic Mission and the Commission at the Vatican. What was that experience like?

Presenting at the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome was a real highlight of my journey in mission.

Standing before national directors and colleagues from every continent, I shared the work of the Commission and the direction we believe communication and fundraising can take as we approach a new missionary century.

What struck me most was not the presentation itself, but the conversations around it. Whether a colleague came from Malawi, the Philippines, Colombia or France, the questions were remarkably similar: how do we reach people’s hearts in a noisy world; and how do we invite them into the joy of mission rather than simply asking for support? It was humbling to realise that Australia’s experience has something genuine to offer that global conversation, and that we have just as much to learn from it.

From your experience in Australia and internationally, how do you see mission being lived out today?

You also had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father. What stayed with you from that encounter?

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Meeting Pope Leo XIV was a moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

What stayed with me was his warmth and attentiveness. In a room full of people, he was completely present to the person in front of him.

I had the joy of presenting him with a cap from our centenary campaign for World Mission Sunday. It was a simple gift, but it felt like a small symbol of the Church in Australia placed into the hands of the Successor of Peter. He received it with a smile that made the moment feel personal rather than ceremonial. I came away reminded that behind every strategy, campaign and communication plan, mission is ultimately about people, and about a Church that walks together with its shepherd. That encounter renewed my own sense of why we do this work.

As we celebrate 100 years of World Mission Sunday, what does this milestone mean to you, and how can it inspire mission into the future?

Mission today is lived out far less in grand gestures and far more in faithful, everyday encounters. In Australia, I see it in parishes and schools that embrace Socktober, in supporters who give quietly and generously, and in communities that pray for the Church in places they may never visit.

The centenary is both a celebration and an invitation. For 100 years, World Mission Sunday has united Catholics across the globe in prayer and solidarity, an unbroken chain of generosity that has sustained the Church in its youngest and most fragile communities. Our theme this year, ‘One in Christ, united in mission’, captures that beautifully.

Internationally, I have been blessed to witness mission in places like Mongolia, Zambia and Papua New Guinea, where the Church is often young, small in numbers, but extraordinary in vitality. What unites all of these expressions is relationship.

Mission is not primarily a program or a project; it is the encounter between people who recognise Christ in one another. The digital world has become part of that too. A story shared online, a message of solidarity, a donation made in seconds can now connect a family in Sydney with a catechist in Ulaanbaatar. The means change but the heart of mission remains the same: love that goes out.

For me personally, the centenary is a reminder that we are stewards of something much bigger than ourselves.

We inherited this movement from generations of missionaries and supporters, and we are called to hand it on, renewed. Looking ahead, I believe the next missionary century will be shaped by how well we combine timeless faith with new means: digital storytelling, new forms of giving, and a genuinely global exchange of gifts between churches. If the first 100 years taught us that mission unites us, the next 100 invite us to live that unity more fully. That is a future worth giving our hearts to.

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The Hope Project: Empowering Young People to Live Mission ‘Mission is not one of the Church’s many tasks. It is the very reason for her existence.’

These words from Pope Leo XIV remind us that mission is not confined to distant places. It is lived every day through the choices we make, the relationships we build, and the hope we share with others.

Building on the success of our Parish Mission Ambassador Program, Catholic Mission is launching The Hope Project.

This initiative invites young people to discover how they can live out their faith in their everyday lives and become ambassadors of hope within their own communities.

The Hope Project encourages young people to reflect on Catholic Social Teachings, engage with stories of mission from around the world, and respond through practical monthly challenges.

Whether at school, in their parish, online, or among friends, participants are invited to discover that mission begins wherever they are.

The program builds on the experience of the Parish Mission Ambassador Program, which has inspired young people across Australia to grow in confidence, deepen their faith and become active members of their parish communities.

Reflecting on his experience as a Mission Ambassador, Brock Holder shared: “It felt great to speak in front of my community at the Mass on World Mission Sunday. Knowing that I was increasing awareness and raising funds for such an important cause made the experience special.”

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For many participants, the journey extends far beyond public speaking.

“It has certainly allowed me to reframe my faith as one which, while deeply personal and unique, exists as common ground between me and over a billion other people, many of whom live in places and circumstances I could never truly understand,” added Brock.

The impact is also felt throughout parish communities.

Julie Pead, Pastoral Ministry Coordinator at Coolangatta Tugun Parish in Queensland, has witnessed firsthand how involving young people strengthens the whole parish. She shared,

The parish community becomes genuinely inspired when they see young people participating in different ways.

They really take a genuine interest in them. They also bring their friends, helping to build up the community and reminding everyone that the Church is alive, growing and intergenerational.”

The Hope Project aims to inspire a new generation of young people, enabling them to discover how they have a role to play in God’s mission. Through simple acts of compassion, service and witness, participants will be encouraged to bring hope to their families, schools, parishes and local communities – showing that mission begins with each one of us.

Discover this month’s challenges, and inspire people around you.

Fr Noyichan Antony and Julie Pead from Coolangatta Tugun Parish, where the Mission Ambassador Program is inspiring young people to engage in mission.

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Above: Yamikani holding a Socktober sockball, the symbol of Catholic Mission’s flagship school engagement program.

A Once-in-a-Century Sockball Challenge As schools across Australia take part in Socktober this year, students are being invited to leave their mark on the future of the program through a once-in-a-century challenge.

To celebrate the centenary of World Mission Sunday, the Socktober team has launched a national competition to design the next official Socktober sockball.

School students and members of parish youth groups are being encouraged to create a sockball using recycled materials, that reflects the creativity, teamwork and hope at the heart of Socktober. The winning design will become the official Socktober sockball featured in future campaigns.

“By inviting students to help create the next Socktober sockball, we are giving them the opportunity to shape the future of the program,” shared Adrienne Williams, Director of Community Engagement at Catholic Mission. “It will provide participants with a genuine sense of ownership and allow them to reflect their learnings through the program.”

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More than a competition, the challenge invites young people to discover that mission is something they can live out in practical and creative ways. As they design, build and test their sockballs together, students understand the

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values of collaboration, inclusion and caring for creation through reusing everyday materials.

Throughout this year’s Socktober journey, students are also learning about communities in Malawi and the challenges many families continue to face following devastating floods.

Through the story of Yamikani and his family, they discover how education, clean water and community support can transform lives. Guided by Catholic Social Teachings, the program encourages students to respond through prayer, learning and fundraising; recognising that every act of generosity can help bring hope to others.

The spirit of the Sockball Challenge echoes Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for sport (see opposite page). As the prayer highlights, sport involves much more than competition – it provides an avenue to bring people together, helps build friendships across cultures, and inspires young people to grow in respect, solidarity and hope.

Through Socktober, the universal language of soccer becomes an invitation to encounter others and put faith into action.

Prayer on the Gift of Sport

Join us in prayer

Pope Leo XIV, June 2026

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord of life, we thank you for the gift of sport, for those who glorify God through the exercise of their bodies, for the friendships born on the field and the joy of playing as a team.

You teach us that in life, as in the game, no one is saved alone.

We need others to grow, to learn respect, to overcome our limits, and to celebrate together the victories we achieve.

We ask that sport may always be a school of fraternity, not of empty rivalry, a space of encounter, not exclusion, a path of peace, not violence.

May those who play, train or cheer discover in sport a universal language that brings cultures together, unites peoples, and sows respect, solidarity and personal growth.

Lord Jesus, may every sport become a parable of life lived with you, working with joy and effort, living with humility in defeat and with gratitude in the victory you offer in your Resurrection.

May your Spirit never be lacking in us, making us one team, united with you to build communion and fraternity in history.

Amen.

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Photographic exhibition Experience a century of mission through the lens of hope.

23 Oct – 09 Nov 2026 Australian Catholic University Level 12, Tenison Woods House 8–20 Napier Street, North Sydney NSW 2060

Experience Hope online

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