Dear People of the Geraldton Diocese,

The year 2025 finds Australians still in the middle of a housing crisis with people struggling to find a rental, let alone afford a rental, or even hope to afford ever owning their own home. More and more Australians are facing the cold hard reality of disappointment that they may never own their own home. On top of that is the ever-rising costs of food weighing heavily on people. Many People, from all walks of life, are feeling discouraged and hopeless. So, not much appears to have changed since last year’s Communio Appeal. We still see our homeless people, families sitting on pavements and sleeping in parks or bushland. Domestic violence increases and broken lives continue.

This past year, People of Faith have been living in a Jubilee Year, with the very timely theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, and where Pope Leo encourages us with these words of reflection on the question posed to Jesus in Luke 10:25: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Those words express a constant desire in our life: our yearning for salvation, for an existence free from failure, evil and death.

This hope of the human heart is described as something to be “inherited”, not something to be gained by force, begged for, or negotiated. Eternal life, which God alone can give, is bestowed on us as an inheritance, as parents do with their children.

That is why Jesus tells us that, in order to receive God’s gift, we must do his will. It is written in the Law: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,” and “your neighbour as yourself” (Lk 10:27; cfr Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18). When we do these two things, we respond to the Father’s love. God’s will is the law of life that the Father himself was the first to follow, by loving us unconditionally in his Son, Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, let us look to Jesus! He shows us the meaning of authentic love for God and for others. It is a love that is generous, not possessive; a love that forgives without question; a love that reaches out and never abandons others. In Christ, God made himself a neighbour to each and every man and woman. That is why each of us can and should become a neighbour to all whom we meet. Imitating the example of Jesus, the Saviour of the world, we too are called to bring consolation and hope, above all to those who are experiencing discouragement and disappointment”.

There are many among you who quietly and consistently offer ‘a renewed hope’ to those experiencing discouragement and disappointment through countless acts of kindness, generosity and compassion.  As you do so, you are not only showing authentic love of your neighbour, but of God also, and as mentioned by Pope Leo, you are responding to the Father’s love, who will bestow on you your inheritance.

The Communio Christmas Appeal is held annually throughout our diocese during the season of Advent and is a concrete way of reaching out to our less fortunate neighbour and to quietly give a little ‘hope’ to others in need of support and encouragement.

Our Diocese is quite large and the remoteness of many of our communities is very real, but due to the ongoing generosity towards the Communio Appeal we are still able to offer care and support through the various ministries we provide that assist people’s lives.

It is very unfortunate the excellent work of the Men’s Hub at Centacare in Geraldton, with proven results, receives no Government funding. Its only support comes from Centacare and Communio funds and thus continues to make a notable difference to the wellbeing of men struggling with personal issues, that often impacts their relationships and families.

In these times of financial stress our Priests and Pastoral Associates are approached for assistance around the diocese. These are often supported by Communio too, as is Nazareth House, who are able to purchase items not funded by the Government, improving the wellbeing of their residents.  

Communio continues to support the ministry of our Pastoral Leader in the Inland Parish of Mt Magnet, Cue and Meekatharra and Aboriginal Communities. Your generous support to Communio offers more than assistance to these communities, as it gives them a sense of belonging to the family of the wider Church.

Finely, I thank all who generously contributed to the 2024 Communio Christmas Appeal which raised a total of $29,996. On behalf of all who benefit from these funds, I request your prayerful consideration to once again support this year’s 2025 Appeal and so assist us in continuing these services.

Payment options can be found below. Please ensure your details are printed clearly in BLOCK form. A prepaid envelope is also enclosed if you prefer to donate via postage or collection at Mass. 

Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible. Please indicate below if you wish to receive a receipt and ensure you enter your details below and return the form.  

I assure you that your personal details and contribution details are strictly confidential. 

Every blessing and peace, 

Yours sincerely

Most Reverend Michael Morrissey DD
Bishop of Geraldton