In the bag
02.06.2010
The Partnership Programme continues to grow with support in Geelong.
Geelong is famous for a number of things. It’s the home of the Ford Motor Company and the premiership winning Geelong (Cats) Football Club. However, during a recent visit to the Geelong Pastoral Cluster it was obvious that Geelong also has a reputation as “the home of people with a mission”.
“We made our first visit to the Philippines in 2004” recalls Fr Gerard Keith, Parish Priest of the Pastoral Cluster - Bell Park, Manifold and Geelong West. “Since then a number of our parishioners and staff from our three parish schools have also visited and we are developing true partnership of learning and being friends with the inspiring Filipino people and with the Columban missionaries.”
Trish Stickland, Parish Secretary and a great supporter of this Columban Partnership, tells of her enthusiasm for drawing others into the work of mission both here and in the Philippines. “As a mother, I am passionate about helping families, particularly mothers, to give their children access to education - a key to breaking out of poverty in which so many live.”
Over the past five years, the people of the Geelong Pastoral Cluster have developed a variety of ways of expressing their commitment to these Filipino families. Each year, both the parish and the school communities engage in awareness and fundraising activities. These draw many into the parishes’ commitment to justice. All funds raised go to the Grameen Bank* to help poor people (mainly women) access loans. These generous donations help fund income generating projects which provide food, shelter and education for women and their families.
“We know that fundraising is important,” says Jan Fagan, one of the teachers who visited the Philippines, “but our partnership is about more than fundraising. We want to share with others an awareness of how life is for people who live in poverty. We all have so many opportunities in life!”
“As Christian members of the one human family, we surely have a responsibility to share what we have and to reach out to those most in need,” says Fr Gerard.
In past years, Trish has organized social events such as a dinner for approximately 400 at which guests were made more aware of the needs of others. Also school communities have had Cluster Days and Movie Nights for families. At these events, stories of life in the Philippines have been shared by guest speakers and celebrated by all.
This year providing educational opportunities for children in the Philippines became a key focus in the Cluster’s partnership for mission. At the beginning of the school year Mass, all the Prep children from the three schools were presented with a library bag made in the Philippines from recycled tetra paks. These bags are a tangible connection with the Philippines. They are a reminder that children are supporting the Partnership.
When all the children in Grades 3-6 gathered to celebrate Eucharist during a recent Cluster Day, they prayed for the people of the Philippines and recommitted to being partners with them. Jed Dulce, Grade 5/
6 at Holy Family Primary School, Bell Park, told of his recent visit to the Philippines.
A highlight of his time was reconnecting with Sr Kate O’Neill RNDM at the Kuya Centre for young people who live on the streets in Manila. “Having seen the Kuya Centre and Sr Kate, I finally realize what it was like to live in the streets without support but still have a good attitude.” Jed told his classmates.
“I am convinced that our donations can make a difference. They help provide young people with a good education, shelter, food, water and someone to care for them. Once you compare our lives with those of the street children, we should consider ourselves very lucky.”
Geelong remains famous for cars and football, but also for the strong “sense of mission” which lives in the hearts of its people. It is inspiring to see young people being taught to live justly with an awareness of others and a readiness to share.
*The Grameen Bank, founded by Professor Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, is a microfinance organization which provides loans to the poor to start small businesses and provide families with livelihood projects.
For more information about the Columban Partnership Programme please contact:
Phone: (03) 9375 9475
Email: partnership.programme@columban.org.au
Website: Partnership Programme
