Darwin Mission|Celebrating 20 Years with Catholic Aboriginal Community

In December, St Martin de Porres Catholic Aboriginal Community, Holy Spirit Parish and the Bishop of Darwin celebrated 20 years of their Covenant together.

St Martin de Porres started with Catholic Aboriginal leaders requesting of Bishop Ted Collins a place for their own distinct worship. The Bishop appointed Fr Pat Mullins SJ as the first chaplain in the late 1980s. After him the MGLs were appointed to take on the chaplaincy by the St Martin de Porres Aboriginal community and the Bishop.

Over the years the two communities have shared missions together, including prison ministry, sacramental programmes and renewal outreaches. There have also been some marriages between the two communities.

The Bishop of Darwin is part of the Covenant relationship, which is nurtured under his shepherding care. The hope of the Covenant is mutual respect in the way both communities live out their baptismal calling as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people with a common mission, and to encourage one another to bring the Gospel message of life, healing and mercy to

their communities. St Martin de Porres Catholic Aboriginal Community and Holy Spirit Parish have the Covenant up on their church walls to remind them to pray for one another and especially for the families of both communities. The celebration of the 20 years has inspired both communities to grow in relationship and we pray that the vision and hope would come to fruition in the days and years ahead.