Darwin Catholics Kick Goals for Good at Socktober Mission Cup
More than 200 children, young people and parishioners from across Darwin gathered at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School on 8 August for the Parish Socktober Mission Cup, raising over $2,000 for Catholic Mission.
Held on the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, the community event marked 100 years of World Mission Sunday and responded to Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to be “One in Christ, united in mission”.
The Mission Cup brought a distinctive missionary spirit to the familiar game of soccer. Instead of using a conventional soccer ball, participants played with a handmade ball created from recycled socks and other materials.
Known as the Sockball, it is a symbol of hope and solidarity with children around the world who face poverty and other challenges.
Catholic Mission representative Sr Jessika Trieu FdCC said the event demonstrated how the Diocese of Darwin was living out this year’s mission theme through prayer, generosity and active participation.
“From the first prayer and the formation of the committee, to our weekly meetings, inviting parishioners to participate and seeking donations for resources and food, the community came together with one goal in our hearts,” Sr Jessika said.
“That goal was to send hope and love to Malawi and help rebuild a school so that children can have life to the fullest.”
Parishes, youth groups, families and volunteers contributed their time, skills and resources to make the tournament possible. Their combined efforts helped raise more than $2,000 to support Catholic Mission’s work in Malawi.
“I am grateful to witness the Diocese of Darwin living out this year’s mission theme through prayer, availability, generosity and the use of our gifts for mission and unity,” Sr Jessika said.
“On behalf of Catholic Mission, I say thank you to everyone.”
Teams competed across children’s, youth and adult divisions, with Mission Cups presented to the winning teams.
The Children’s Mission Cup was awarded jointly to St Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Community and St Paul’s Catholic Church, Nightcliff, NT.
Holy Family Catholic Church, Karama, NT, received the Youth Mission Cup.
The Adult Mission Cup was awarded jointly to St Alphonsa Syro-Malabar Catholic Community and St Paul’s Catholic Church, Nightcliff, NT.
Sr Jessika congratulated the winning teams and praised every participant who courageously took part in the tournament.
“What an exciting way to begin the Socktober Mission Appeal,” she said. “Let us keep going and continue to kick goals for good.”