Catholic Mission’s vision, drawn from words of Christ in the gospel of St John, is:
I have come that they may have life and have it to the full (John 10:10b)
Life is about change, transformation and growth. It is about birth, new beginnings and hope. Life is what happens when God’s love stirs and disturbs. Awakening this life is what Catholic Mission is called to do.
- About Catholic Mission
About Catholic Mission
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Catholic Mission goes where there is need, meets who is in need and does whatever it can to encourage people to respond to God’s love.Catholic Mission is an organisation within the Catholic Church and, as such, it is at the service of the Church. As part of the Catholic Church this organisation participates in God’s Mission and is at the service of God’s Mission.
Catholic Mission comprises the Pontifical Mission Societies:
- The Propagation of the Faith
- Children’s Mission
- St Peter Apostle
- The Pontifical Missionary Union
These Societies are the official support organisation for the overseas mission of the Catholic Church. As well, within Australia, Catholic Mission provides financial support for the Home Mission Fund.
Catholic Mission’s work is to:
- Educate about mission and justice
- Engage Australians in global mission
- Spread the Gospel both within Australia and throughout the world
- Educate Priests, Religious and lay people for service in their own countries
- Encourage children and adults to care for children throughout the world
- Provide Australians with a mechanism to provide material support for the work of Catholic Mission
Catholic Mission, led by the power of the Spirit, proclaims the Good News for all peoples.
- The Society for the Propagation of the Faith
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
92,000 Missionaries Spreading the Good News of the Gospel in 161 Countries throughout the world.The Society for the Propagation of the Faith was founded by Pauline Jaricot in 1822 in Lyon, France. Pauline was just 23 years of age. It is recorded in history that as a child Pauline was the treasured youngest of seven children and grew up in a warm, generous and wealthy family.
When she was just 15 years of age Pauline had a fall that left her partially paralysed and in terrible pain but despite her suffering this woman spent her life providing spiritual and material support for the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
Pauline saw that while all people are equal not all are treated equally. While growing up, Pauline was well aware of the deprivation and trouble in France and other countries around the world. She soon realised that those who are oppressed, exploited and struggling to survive are often those without the Good News so she was determined to do something about it.
Pauline gathered people together to pray and give. Attracted to the idea of ‘prayer and pennies’ for those in need Pauline appealed to the girls who worked in a factory owned by her brother-in-law, asking them for prayers and a tiny bit of money each week of the year. The pooled offerings were sent through the Parish Foreign Mission Society for its work among abandoned children in China.
And so began the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. A meeting between the Bishops and Pauline took place where she insisted that monies collected be sent to where they were needed most, not just to one mission – making it a Universal Mission Aid Fund. Sadly, in 1852, Pauline died penniless, still trying to repay the huge debt she incurred while trying to help others. Pauline was officially named the founder of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.
Today the Society works with local Churches responding to requests to help build chapels and churches, pastoral centres, clinics and hospitals and to provide medications, pastoral care, emergency relief and assistance for lay catechists for formation, remuneration and resources.
- Children's Mission
Children's Mission
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Providing Nutrition, Health and Education to Hundreds of Thousands of Children throughout the world.Aristocrat, soldier, promise of a career as a brilliant statesman in the political arena… but Charles de Forbin-Jansen used his gifts for God’s Mission. He was ordained a priest in 1811.
Imbued with a missionary spirit Charles not only founded the Missionaires de France but also spent his years as a priest travelling throughout France to promote the work of missionaries. He was consecrated Bishop of Nancy and Toul in 1824 but was still sent to Canada and the United States to promote mission and give retreats to clergy.
Charles died in 1844 but in the previous year he achieved a long held dream of establishing a means whereby children help children. He instituted the Children’s Mission Society – a Society that aims to awaken in children an awareness of the needs of other children throughout the world. Only two things were necessary: a short daily prayer for the mission and a monetary sacrifice.
Today Children’s Mission supports millions of children in self-help programmes involving the building of schools, orphanages, homes for the disabled, refuges, hospitals. As well Children’s Mission supports health and nutrition programmes and provides medication. It is a living witness making Jesus known to children.
Children’s Mission is the only Catholic International Aid Agency that provides help exclusively to children.
- Society of St Peter Apostle
Society of St Peter Apostle
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Providing Priests, Religious Sisters and Brothers to their own countries in developing parts of the world.The Society of St Peter Apostle was officially founded in France in 1889 but for many years before this date Jeanne Bigard, and her mother Stephanie, had been supporting missionaries in Japan by making altar linen and vestments. In 1888 they actually sold some land and a factory to give 50 000 francs for the building of a church in Japan.
Little wonder then that the Bishop of Nagasaki turned to the Bigards for financial support to train boys for the priesthood. This request marked the birth of the Society of St Peter Apostle. Jeanne and her mother were convinced that a local community would never become completely Church without its own indigenous bishops, priests and religious as it is local people who know the riches of their traditions and are best able to preach the Gospel in their particular culture.
The Society trains young men and women in their own country and culture to serve their people as Religious Sisters, Brothers, priests or catechists. It is based on the world-wide need of church leaders and the particular need of the poorer dioceses to be able to support their own people while in formation.
The Bigards donated the whole of their fortune to the new Society. As well they encouraged other people in her hometown of Caen to raise money for the purpose of the Society and travelled throughout France to promote the work of the Society.
Today the significance of the work of the Society can be found in the words of St Paul: “How can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how will they hear of him unless there is a preacher for them?” (Rom. 10:14-15)
- Pontifical Missionary Union
Pontifical Missionary Union
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
Promotes an awareness of mission and a spirit of unity, prayer and generous sacrifice among priests, religious and laity.In 1916 Father Paolo Manna, a missionary serving in Myanmar, formed the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious – known today as the Pontifical Missionary Union.
Father Manna became famous for his linguistic ability and his methods of inculturation. He stated that he did not want to preach in the same way he preached in Europe. He respected the traditions of the Burmese people and integrated their ways of speaking and thinking into his work of evangelisation.
Father Manna could not do what he desired – to be a missionary in Burma. Illness forced him to return to Europe and was instrumental in him becoming a mission animator of the whole Church: the missionary of the Mission.
Today this spiritual apostolate continues Father Manna’s dream by striving to promote missionary awareness through insights into God’s Mission; by encouraging a greater understanding and support for the Church’s worldwide mission; by fostering Christian unity; by encouraging prayer for vocations; and by celebrating Mission feasts such as World Mission Sunday, St Francis Xavier and St Teresa of the Child Jesus.
- Home Mission Fund
Home Mission Fund
Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane
One third of the funds raised through Catholic Mission’s Parish Appeals for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith is allocated to projects in Australia via the Home Mission Fund.In 1838 the Propagation of the Faith started providing funds for Australian Missions. In these early years these funds were used to assist Catholic Irish convicts. It was not until 1924 that donations were given specifically for projects to support Indigenous Australians.
The Home Mission Fund was officially established in 1926 to support the various works of mission in remote Australia – specifically Indigenous Australians, Catholics in isolated districts and Non-English speaking immigrants.
The distribution of this Fund takes place in April each year, based on criteria set by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
- How can you help?
How can you help?
Author: Archdiocese of BrisbaneOne off donation
You can contribute by making a donation to Catholic Mission. In every parish Catholic Mission has one Appeal. To find out when the next appeal is running see the Catholic Mission website. You can contribute by giving to this Appeal or you can call this office at any time throughout the year to make a donation.
You can help by participating in one or more of the following programmes. All you need do is contribute regularly – weekly, monthly or quarterly. Your donation can be tax deductible. If you require any further information about any of these programmes please contact us.
Children’s Mission Partner
As a Children’s Mission Partner you can change the lives of many thousands of children. The Children’s Mission Partners programme does not single out one child for special care or attention. All children in need of care in the community benefit, regardless of race or religion. Children’s Mission Partners provide everything from immediate needs, such as goods, clothes and medical care, to more long term projects such as religious education, and building and maintaining schools and orphanages.
Friends in Faith
As a Friend in Faith you are helping to fulfil the mandate Christ gave to each of us to proclaim the Good News to the end of the earth and create “Life For All”. Your gift, given in faith, trust and love, funds thousands of projects for communities in more than 160 countries.
Leaders for Life
As a Leader for Life you are helping to educate and sustain men for the priesthood and men and women for religious life in many parts of the world today.
Workplace Giving
You can donate regularly to Catholic Mission with deductions from your salary, pre-tax, reducing your taxable income. There is no need to find receipts at the end of the financial year to claim on your tax return.
Bequests
Make a Bequest and become a member of the Fellowship of St Therese of Lisieux.
- Contact Us
Contact Us
Author: Archdiocese of BrisbaneDiocesan Director – Archdiocese of Brisbane
Mr Martin Lewis
Ph: 07 3155 6982
M: 0438 583 873
Email: mlewis@catholicmission.org.auClerical Administration Officer
Ms Katherine Forknall
Ph: 07 3155 6986
Email: kforknall@catholicmission.org.au