St Patrick’s Special SchoolA focus for our school this year has been Ecological Conversion and Sustainability and classes across the school are learning about their environments, inside and outside. We have engaged with Nature Play SA to gain a better understanding of why nature play is important and how we can link this learning to the individual education plans of students.The students have had the opportunity to experience ‘seed bomb’ making, playing with scented play dough and leaf threading. A family recently shared with a teacher that the seed bomb their child had made turned into a family activity. They had spent time together planting and watering it, watching it change, grow and fl ower. Our Nature Play focus has turned play inside out at St Patrick’s! – Kylie Karvelis (Occupational Therapist)

Our Lady of La Vang SchoolThe students at Our Lady of La Vang are really enjoying the benefi t of having a weekly music program, provided through funding from Catholic Charities. Musician Andrew Chinn recently made a visit to the school. Prior to Andrew’s visit Stephanie Williams, the school’s music teacher, introduced Andrew’s new song Rise Up to the students who celebrated the beginning of Catholic Education Week with him. Stephanie provides the students with opportunities to explore rhythm, tone and beat using a variety of instruments. The school has also been a benefi ciary of a bequest from Catholic Charities which has enabled it to purchase a 12-seater commuter bus. This allows students to access all areas of the community in small groups and has also enabled students from a wide geographic area the opportunity to travel to and from school by bus.

SA Catholic Deaf CommunityThe Catholic Deaf Community come from all over the Archdiocese to celebrate Eucharist and share a meal every fi rst Sunday of the month at St John the Baptist Church at Plympton. Helen and Didee appreciate the time of gathering. As Didee explains: “I grew up in a hearing church and I needed to know about God’s love in my language”. She tells Helen, who is hearing, that now she understands about her faith because it is explained in Auslan. The two women chat in Auslan after Eucharist when the community gathers in the hall. The opportunity to gather is a vital part of their faith formation. This is made possible by the continued support of Catholic Charities.

Aboriginal Catholic MinistryThe Otherway Centre off ers everyone not just a Sunday Eucharist but a cultural hub that reaches out to members of the community who may be lonely or isolated and welcomes them into the vibrant Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. The Centre off ers Aboriginal art classes, line dancing, community get togethers, women’s, men’s and youth groups, healing and referrals as well as liaison with government and charitable agencies.“Aboriginal people are proud of our Catholic faith and everyone at the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry wants the wider community to know that we are here for all people in need.” – John Lochowiak, Director, ACM

Calvary Ain KarimOver the next 12 months Calvary Ain Karim is supporting residents to move to more independent living. They told Tracy, their Disability Houses Support Coordinator, what they would love to do. “I would like to cook my own meals and help clean my unit,” said Andrew. Adam said: “It would be wonderful to have a garden with plants and have a BBQ area and even better, a vegetable garden”. Supporting residents will enable them to have a more independent lifestyle.

2018 Appeal

Catherine HouseDear FriendsWithin this Charities leafl et we have included stories from the nine agencies that we support.

It is because of your generosity that these agencies are able to help the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.

The continued growth of our me4u schools campaign also highlights the crucial role our schools play in fundraising for Catholic Charities.

It is because of you that Catholic Charities can support the agencies who:

• Help members of the Catholic Deaf Community to learn and understand about God and their own faith.• Provide dedicated teachers at our two special schools. • Provide accommodation and respite care for adults and young people with intellectual disabilities.• Empower men and women dealing with homelessness, domestic violence and mental illness.• Provide services to asylum seekers including English classes, legal support and advocacy. • Reach out to members of our community who may be lonely and welcome them as part of the vibrant Aboriginal Catholic community.

Thank you for your generosity. By supporting Catholic Charities, we can ensure that these important works continue to fl ourish and grow.

Yours sincerely,

Heather CareyChair of Catholic Charities

Mercy House of Welcome

Recently four women aged over 55 came to us. One had lost her job and could not pay her rent, with no family or safety net. Another, a wife and mother, having endured violence in her marriage had her son return to the family home after her husband died. He then forced her out. She was terrifi ed and signed over the house. Two other women had histories of mental illness and after periods in care could not return to their families. None of the women had ever dreamed these later years of their lives would be so full of fear and feeling of no value. Our new aged care partner is assisting us with aff ordable and safe housing options for single older women by allocating a number of their vacant properties to our women over 55.

Payenda came by boat to Australia to seek asylum and with no family or friends Mercy House is like a second home to him. He was also the victim of an assault and had to spend two months in hospital and endure multiple operations and rehabilitation. Mercy House staff and volunteers teamed up with Dawaud, his caseworker at the Australian Migrant Resource Centre to provide emotional and practical support while he was in hospital. They found him accommodation near to Mercy House along with furniture. Payenda has now fi nally had remedial surgery and is hoping to be able to recover fully and get a job or go to TAFE.

Centacare – Hannah PlaceToday, the much-loved Hannah Place provides a nurturing, home-like environment for young women who are pregnant, parenting, or endeavouring to reunify with their child. Each young woman lives in her own unit and is supported by onsite staff . Some have experienced signifi cant trauma themselves, and work hard to overcome the challenges they encounter in order to provide a secure attachment with their little one. With ongoing support from Catholic Charities, Hannah Place will continue assisting young women to obtain secure, long-term accommodation.

Hutt St CentreAfter a childhood of violence and abuse, April got married and was living a life free from her past. Tragically April’s former husband ended his own life and she was left to grieve with no-one for support. Years later, while she was working on a prawn trawler in Western Australia, April fell pregnant. Sadly, her baby boy Jacob was born with Muscular Dystrophy: “I wasn’t coping. One day I just picked up the phone and called family services and asked for someone to take my precious baby away. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I knew I couldn’t continue to give him the care he needed so there was no other choice”.April left for Adelaide with nothing more than a backpack; she remembers her fi rst few nights very clearly, alone and homeless. Thankfully, April found Hutt St Centre: “I never imagined this would be the place I’d fi nally fi nd happiness and genuine support from people who actually cared about me.”

To support the Catholic Charities Appeal and its agenciesin their work you can make a donation online at:

www.adelaide.catholic.org.auwww.me4u.org.au

Donations more than $2 are tax deductible.

Catholic CharitiesCatholic Archdiocese of Adelaide

39 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000P: 08 8210 8157

E: charities@adelaide.catholic.org.auABN 45 147 584 171 Charity Registration 3122

This brochure has been abridged for the web.Contact Annie O’Neill for a printed version P: 8210 8157