Catholic Mission is joining others across the country and around the world in responding to Australia’s worst-ever bushfire crisis and drought emergency.
The mission organisation announced on Monday 13 January that it will partner with the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) during the pilgrimage of St Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents Louis and Zélie Martin.
The partnership will allow Vinnies to collect donations and raise funds for their bushfire appeal during the relics’ four-month pilgrimage, which commenced this week on 22 January.
Catholic Mission is inviting those who are attending the relics’ four-month pilgrimage across 17 dioceses in Australia – including the Archdiocese of Perth – to donate and reconsidered plans to raise funds for its global mission projects.
Funeral provider InvoCare and its affiliated brands, who are joining with Catholic Mission to bring the relics, have expressed full support of the move.
Catholic parishes across Australia will also take up special, dedicated collections for the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal on Australia Day long-weekend.
Vinnies National President Claire Victory is encouraging people to give generously to support the work of the not-for-profit organisation in those communities devastated by the crisis.
“People have been generous with their offers of help on the ground, but cash is urgently needed to help provide necessities such as fuel, clothing and food,” she said.
“Every cent of the money donated goes to people in need. We do not take a fee for administration or other costs.”
Ms Victory mentioned that the society’s volunteers and staff are on the ground at all states affected by the unprecedented disaster.
“As I’ve said before, Vinnies is part of an integrated, whole-of-community response the government can call upon now, and in the weeks and months ahead. We are working with other lead agencies to accompany people whose lives have been devastated by the fires,” she continued.
“We very much appreciate the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s coordination of this significant, focussed appeal.
“[Vinnies] is also working with Catholic Religious Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, the National Catholic Education Commission and Catholic Health Australia on this joint effort.”
Donations from the parish plate on the Australia Day weekend to the bushfire appeal will be sent to the National Council’s gift fund and distributed to affected communities as a matter of urgency.
Father Brian Lucas, National Director of Catholic Mission, said the unique circumstances call for contingency.
“We recognise that it is difficult to focus on the need abroad when an unprecedented crisis of such scale is happening here in Australia,” Fr Lucas stated.
“We have many supporters in badly affected dioceses across Australia and it is incumbent on us to offer a missionary response and to enable those who want to prioritise their friends, families and fellow Australians affected by these devastating bushfires to do so.”
David Harrison, Catholic Mission’s Wollongong Diocesan Director – an area heavily impacted by the crisis – said the local and international response has been heartening.
“Communities right down the south coast are really doing it really tough at the moment, but it’s inspiring how so many—from local parishes to celebrities—have pulled together to support those who have lost everything,” Mr Harrison said.
Meanwhile, the extraordinary conditions across the country have led Catholic Mission to adjust its annual Seminarian Appeal, which launches in February, with an effort being made to withhold the mailed appeal from areas affected by bushfire and/or drought.
Catholic Mission confirmed the contingency plans would not disrupt the distribution of critical funds to projects it supports throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
“While we do acknowledge the gravity of the local situation, we must also respect our mission and remain committed to communities in great need around the world,” Fr Lucas added.
“Our annual Seminarian Appeal, which benefits future Church leaders in developing countries, will still raise and distribute funds for that purpose.”
For more information on the partnership of Catholic Mission and InvoCare with St Vincent de Paul Society during this crisis, click here: catholicmission.org.au/relics
To make donations online, click here: https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw