The Good Samaritan Foundation brings together people and resources to support the works and initiatives of the Good Samaritan Sisters to assist those in need in communities across Australia and the Pacific.
By Debra Vermeer
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Sonya Mears, said 2024 had been a happy and productive year. “Our community of Good Sam schools, colleges, teachers, donors and corporate supporters have been busy raising funds for our ministries in Australia and neighbouring Pacific regions.
Home-grown tomato plants helped to raise funds for the Inn. Image: Good Samaritan Foundation.
“One of our innovative gardeners fund-raised by selling his home-grown tomato plants. You can see how healthy they are!”
Sonya said that working together as good Samaritans, the Foundation’s aim is to break the cycle of disadvantage by funding education, food security and protection programs for vulnerable women and children.
“This shared commitment unites us and drives our mission for compassion and lasting change,” she said.
Sonya said a highlight for her was a visit to the Good Samaritan Kinder School in the Philippines and also meeting the tertiary scholarship students.
“We know that literacy can help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, so education is one of the cornerstones of the ministries we support,” Sonya said. “When you can read, write, learn and communicate with others you are empowered to create your best personal future, and you begin to understand and advocate for your human rights and for those around you.”
In wishing everyone a happy and blessed Christmas, Sonya shared a video of the pre-schoolers in the Philippines singing their Christmas greetings. “It warms my heart every time I watch it!” she said.
We hope you enjoy this snapshot of the highlights and blessings of 2024 in some of the ministries supported by the Foundation as well as a glimpse into how they will celebrate Christmas.
The Good Samaritan Inn
The Good Samaritan Inn in Melbourne helps women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
The Inn’s Executive Director, Felicity Rorke, said 2024 had been a big year, not only helping women and children who need accommodation and support, but also working on two big projects to invest in the Inn’s future.
Image: Good Samaritan Inn.
A former convent within the City of Banyule will soon accommodate women and children who are moving out of crisis accommodation but are assessed as requiring further transitional housing and support.
Felicity said the community was really getting behind the project, which is on track to be completed in April 2025, with the first families moving in by June or July.
“I spoke at a combined Christian Churches of Banyule Advent event recently and there were a few people in attendance who are very keen to support the project once it is up and running with a range of activities such as tutoring children, helping in the garden and cooking shared meals, so we are hoping that it will be a gathering place that is a home and an inclusive space,” Felicity said.
Also this year, the received a $5.26 million Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Grant from the Australian Government Department of Social Services, which will allow it to build 12 new units.
This will provide accommodation for up to 12 months for women and children escaping family violence, supporting them to live independently and with stability as they navigate their path to recovery.
“There is lots of work to do but it’s very exciting to think about what we are going to achieve,” Felicity said.
Meanwhile, staff are working hard to make sure that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well at the Inn.
Image: Wikimedia.
Facilities and Volunteer Coordinator Erin Slattery said staff loved making Christmas at the Inn really special for all the guests. “Setting up a Christmas tree with all the staff and families onsite is a fun occasion, where everyone gets involved. The children and families seemed to really enjoy this lovely activity,” she said.
“We are receiving many beautiful, quality donations, which we will be distributing to our Outreach clients in their homes as well as guests on Christmas Day. Our Sing and Grow Educational Music program will be onsite in mid-December, to sing carols with the guests and staff with an afternoon tea. This was a lovely occasion last year where guests requested songs and spoke of what Christmas meant to them.”
Erin said the Inn’s cook, Vesna, offered to work on Christmas Day and, with the Case Support Worker on shift, will cook a traditional Christmas lunch, making it a special occasion for all.
“We appreciate all the support we receive that allows us to make this time of year special for all at the Inn,” she said.
Kiribati
Two communities of Good Samaritan Sisters are engaged in educational, pastoral and community development ministries in the Pacific nation of Kiribati.
Sister Juniko Toaua SGS. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
Sister Ameria Etuare SGS said a highlight of this year was the Perpetual Profession of Sister Juniko Toaua SGS.
“The Bikenibeu parish priests, parishioners, Juniko’s family and friends, and our two Good Samaritan inquirers all joined the Sisters on this special occasion,” she said.
Also this year, the Sisters engaged in a process of reflection, discernment, review and renewal as part of their ongoing formation, and launched a Safeguarding Policy.
Another highlight was the ordination of a new Bishop of Tarawa and Nauru, Bishop Simon Mani MSC.
“As part of the Kiribati Catholic Church, we are grateful and thank God for our new bishop,” Ameria said. “It was an honour and blessing to welcome him to our home in the Temaiku community to share a meal. Bishop Mani expressed his sincere thanks and was grateful to get to know the Good Sam Sisters and our different ministries.”
The community welcomed the new Bishop of Tarawa and Nauru, Bishop Simon Mani MSC. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
And in great news, after more than a year of waiting and struggling without reliable power or internet, the Sisters at Abaokoro have had solar power installed.
“The Sisters now have 24/7 power with a fast, furious internet connection. Thanks be to God!” Ameria said.
At the Good Samaritan Early Childhood Centre at Abaokoro, parents, staff and students gathered recently to mark the closing of the academic year and celebrate their Thanksgiving for the blessings of the year.
“During Advent, the Kiribati Sisters will again reach out to the marginalised to share Christmas carols with our friends at the hospital, prisons, Toamatoa (a facility for people with disabilities), and the Faith and Light group,” Ameria said.
Railaco in Timor Leste
The Good Samaritan Foundation provides education scholarships for more than 120 children and young people in Timor Leste. Since it became a sovereign nation in 2002, the country continues to grapple with poverty and child malnutrition.
A highlight was the visit by Pope Francis. Image: NOSSEF.
Father Hyoe Murayama SJ is the Principal of NOSSEF Catholic Secondary School in Railaco, where more than 60 students receive scholarships each year. He said that a highlight of this year for everyone in Timor Leste was the visit of Pope Francis in September.
“The theme was ‘May your faith be your culture’,” Father Hyoe said.
“More than 100 teachers and students went to Dili (Tasi Tolu) to attend the Papal Mass, spending two nights camping. About half of the Timorese population (700,000) participated in that Mass. It was a wonderful experience for all of us. Many people cried with tears of joy and gratitude.”
Father Hyoe said that on 30 November, the school’s graduating 12th graders held a farewell party.
“After they took the national exam in mid-October, they organised some graduation commemoration activities such as building a small house for our gardener and drawing and painting on the wall of one of our classrooms in November,” he said.
“We don’t normally celebrate Christmas at school because it’s a school holiday. The students and teachers celebrate Christmas in their local chapels and communities. However, this year we have beautiful graffiti artwork of our Lady of Fatima, and a Timorese traditional hut painted on the school wall to celebrate. These represent the goal of our school, which means: ‘United in Christ – we’re children of Our Lady of Fatima and Catholic Timorese’.
More than 60 students receive scholarships each year. Image: NOSSEF.
“When I see our graduating students, I recall the time they spent in our school. About 20 of them are scholarship recipients. They enjoyed friendships and learning like other students. I imagine that if they didn’t receive scholarships, they wouldn’t be able to complete their student life at NOSSEF.
“I want all of you to see and know how blessed they were with the help of your scholarship donations. I hope they will celebrate a happy Christmas, too, making their faith their own cultural identity and life.”
Roberto is a recipient of a Good Samaritan Tertiary Scholarship and expressed his gratitude for the support it provided.
“It has profoundly impacted my life,” he said. “The scholarship has not only eased the financial burden of pursuing my studies but has also given me the motivation to excel academically and contribute positively to my community.
“In this season of Christmas, I am especially reminded of the generosity and kindness of those who made this opportunity possible. It fills me with gratitude and a sense of responsibility to pay it forward.”
Bacolod, the Philippines
Good Samaritan Sisters have lived in the city of Bacolod on Negros Island in the Philippines for more than 25 years. They work alongside and in support of families living in the squatter settlements of Boulevard and Mambuloc and those whose home is on the street.
This year was time of celebration and thanksgiving, marking the 10th anniversary of the Good Samaritan Outreach Center.
Sister Anne Dixon SGS said the celebrations began with a Medical Mission for the 250 families who are associated with the Center. “We took part in the parish Sunday Mass where the priest acknowledged the hard work of the Center. We also had a thank you dinner for our faithful partners in ministry. We presented them all with a home-grown rose pot plant.”
Another highlight was the visits by Immersion Groups from parishes and schools.
“We had an Immersion group of youth from St Christopher’s Parish in Syndal, Melbourne. They were very active, enjoying the Kinder children and the local children as they built a children’s playground for our eco-park,” Anne said.
“Good Samaritan Education returned for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. A great group of students from six Good Sam schools, led by Fran Vella and teachers, immersed themselves into our lives.
“As always, it was humbling as they experienced first-hand the resilience of Filipino families in the struggle to meet the demands of raising families. The Good Samaritan Kinder School again enjoyed sharing their activities with the group.
Members of the Outreach Center team at the eco-park. Image: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
“Another great joy was the blessing and opening of our labyrinth at the eco-park. It was lovingly built by our Outreach Center team, and it is heartwarming to see local people respectfully using it.
“And finally, we had the first official visit of Good Sam Oblates recently! Marie Mohr and Eileen Stevens, together with Eileen’s son Tim, spent a few days with us. It was very special for us all.”
Anne said the Center was busy preparing for Christmas, with local donors and online support making it possible to provide the families with Christmas treats.
“A jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread is greatly appreciated, and a wrapped toy for the kids,” she said.
The ministries of the Sisters are supported by the Good Samaritan Foundation. Donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia and can be made via the website.
This year, the Outreach Center Team celebrated the Center’s 10th anniversary.
