Mission In Action Fund
INTRODUCTION - The Seven Streams
The above diagram provides a graphic explanation of the flow of funds from our Parish Mission in Action Fund.
Background
Following the transition of John Paul Village (JPV) from Parish managed to St Vincents Care Services (SVCS) our Parish receives an annual land lease payment from SVCS.
The Parish Mission in Action Fund
In 2019, with the commencement of the lease payments, Fr Mick and the Parish Leadership Teams agreed, with the support of parishioners, commenced a charity fund which is now called The Mission in Action Fund. Income for the Fund comes from the JPV land lease and sale proceeds which are being received over many years to come. We expand on the work of the seven streams below and the projects we are supporting.
SALESIAN WORKS STREAM
Salesian Missions Australia
This stream of the Mission in Action Fund is to assist the work of the Salesians, and in particular through the Salesian Missions.
The Australian Salesian Missions Office was founded in the 1960’s and is part of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Australia-Pacific Province. As a Catholic organisation and followers of St John Bosco they are committed to helping youth build a better future, through education and vocational training.
Please find attached the Salesian Missions News update for December 2022 which outlines many of the projects implemented to help and relieve the sufferings of so many people as a result of poverty, military unrest, war, floods and other disasters.
If you wish to make a personal donation click this link Donate Today
Don Bosco College and Vocational Centre in Salelologa, Samoa $230,000, During the 2022-23 financial year
Fr Peter Carroll and Tina Newton, the Director of Salesian Missions, have asked that we now turn our support in coming years to the struggling Don Bosco College, Salelologa, Samoa. This is the co-ed secondary and technical school on the larger, but poorer of the two islands. They draw their kids from little villages scattered around the coast of the island, most of them coming from effectively subsistence level families. Read more on the separate page at this link.
Don Bosco Community and Youth Centre, Nasinu, Suva, Fiji $320,000: 2020-2022.
Between 2020 and 2022 the Mission in Action(MIA) Fund donated $320,000 to Salesian Missions to help construct and fit out Don Bosco Community and Youth Centre in the very poor suburb of Nasinu, Suva, Fiji. Until they are able to construct a church, Masses are also said in this centre.
The Don Bosco Technical Centre Alafua Samoa $40,000
In 2021 we donated $40,000 to The Don Bosco Technical Centre, Alafua, Samoa to assist with building a catering classroom and commercial kitchen. We have received a card from the Salesian Missions Office, together with this plaque, stating the following:
"Please accept this gift of appreciation from Don Bosco Technical Centre, Alafua, Samoa. It was created by the students in the Fine Arts Program for your kind support of the Hospitality Building."
PASTORAL WORKS STREAM
Our Parish Vision is to be a faith community growing with Christ, and His Church, building the Kingdom of God in the Salesian Charism.
This stream of the Parish Mission in Action Fund is to enhance the Vision and Mission of the Parish, as determined by the Parish Finance Committee and Mission Leadership Team.
During the Covid pandemic it became apparent that one way of keeping some form of 'parish community' involvement was to stream Mass each week. Initially we used borrowed equipment. In 2022, using the Pastoral Stream, we have purchased $11,000 of video equipment that can live stream and record Masses, funeral or other service.
OTHER CHARITIES STREAM
This stream acknowledges the excellent work done by many external charities. Up to five external charities will be identified via parishioner ballot where they are deemed to enhance the Vision and Mission of the Parish. These five charities will receive an annual donation from the Parish Fund for a period of five years, after which time a further ballot will be held.
The five charities being supported dsuring the years 2020-2024 are:
Youth Off The Streets, $18,100pa
Melissa Roberts Foundation, $11,100pa
Beyond Blue, $7,900pa
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, $6,700pa
Sylvanvale Foundation Limited, $6,200pa
Amounts were determined by the level of support for each charity in the ballot. Use THIS LINK to go to more information and video clips relating to these charities and the work they do.
DISASTER RELIEF STREAM
Disaster Relief Appeals will be conducted within the Parish from time to time as the need is determined. The MIA Fund will match parishioner donations to such appeals on a dollar for dollar basis. The LINKED PAGE details the Appeals and amount of donations from the Fund for the current 12 months, matching Parishioner donations. Previous appeals are detailed in the Annual Reports at the base of this page.
REMOTE REGIONAL PARISHES OF AUSTRALIA STREAM
Australia is a large country, with much of the land sparsely populated.
The aim of this stream is to support evangelisation in remote areas of Australia by providing financial assistance to a Catholic parish or parishes in order for them to remain open and serving their parishioners. This financial assistance may be in the form of capital maintenance or recurrent operating costs.
Our first Remote Regional Parish being assisted is Streaky Bay/Ceduna, in South Australia.
ASSISTED HOUSING STREAM
Our local Vinnies team will be able to draw on this allocation of funds to assist individuals or family parishioners who are having difficulty meeting their rent payments or home loan repayments.
In order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned, we will not be publishing any details of who have been helped by the scheme. Confidentiality will be retained within the Vinnies team and the Parish Priest.
AGED CARE STREAM
The work of the Mission in Action Fund is only possible due to the transition of John Paul Village (JPV) to St Vincent Care Services in 2019. JPV, as it is affectionately known, was opened in 1985 due to the diligence of Fr John Briffa sdb, and a group of dedicated Parishioners. It operated as a Parish entity continuously since that time until 2019, providing a vibrant home for many parishioners and their families.
The Aged Care Stream is to provide for any parishioners in need of an Aged Care Home, but unable to meet the cost of the residence themselves. In order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned, we will not be publishing any details of who have been helped by the scheme.
If you or someone you know may be in need of assistance from the Aged Care Stream, we encourage you to reach out to our parish office or one of our parish priests for more information. We are here to help and provide guidance, ensuring that no one in our community feels alone or unsupported.
