Building relationships, building a kitchen - CatholicCare NT

In June 2024 a delegation of fourteen CatholicCare NT staff joined by Bishop Charles Gauci, for the first 3 days, set off on a 10 day pilgrimage to Timor Leste. The Pilgrimage was planned as a component of CatholicCare NT’s 30^th anniversary celebrations.

Prior to setting off on the Pilgrimage journey CatholicCare NT partnered with the Canossian Sisters of Timor Leste. We set about to fundraise for their work with a raffle, to rebuild a severely damaged kitchen facility in the remote village of Ossu. The kitchen was a vital facility for supporting the young women to access post school education. The raffle was generously supported locally in Darwin by both Airnorth (who donated flights) and Timor Plaza Hotel owned by the Jape Group (who donated hotel nights). We were proud to raise over $15,000 to cover the cost of the kitchen rebuild. A special appreciation to Sr Leone Wittmack’s Order of the Sisters of Charity and the Karama Catholic Parish for a large contribution to this.

The Pilgrims visit to Ossu was a particular highlight. The opportunity to meet with the Sisters and young women and men who would benefit from having a new kitchen was meaningful. The sharing between Pilgrims, the Sisters and Young People in their very remote community was a special blessing.

Now in January of 2025, the kitchen renovations in Ossu are complete and we received a message from Sister Dulce on behalf of the Canossian Sisters, ‘I would like to thank you for the generosity and attention from Catholiccare NT. The kitchen is ready. The Girls are very thank full and happy.’

CatholicCare values the importance of maintaining relationships with our like-minded Timorese partners, continued interest in and support for community projects that care for people and the environment and consideration of advocacy opportunities.