Special 100 Years Thanksgiving Mass for Catholic Mission in the Northern Territory

Special 100 Years Thanksgiving Mass for Catholic Mission in the Northern Territory

On Wednesday 16th September 2026, Bishop Charles Guaci celebrated a special 100 Years Mass for Catholic Mission at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral. The entrance procession was led by Chancellor Clalia Mar bearing the candle the Catholic Diocese of Darwin and Ann Charles bearing the candle for Catholic Education symbolising the faith and education that have been evangelised by missionaries to the Northern Territory.

The students’ representatives from 11 schools and colleges processed in with their school candles and sockballs as icons of participation in the mission of solidarity, uniting with children in Malawi. Followed by eight priests and Bishop Eugene Hurley concelebrating with Bishop Charles. It was a moment of being in union with the Saints who have gone ahead of us, and the flock of students guided by shepherding priests, uniting schools and parishes coming together as “One in Christ, United in Mission”.

The students partake in the Welcome to Country, reading, psalm, prayers of the faithful and St John’s Catholic College Choir led us through the Mass.

Bishop Charles’ homily is one of gratitude to Catholic Mission support to our Diocese and encouraged us to pray and support the good works of Catholic Mission for the missions around the world.

After Communion, Bishop Charles launched Socktober by watching Malawi 2026 Video and inviting us to make a difference to people’s lives.

The opening to mission festival continued as the students gathered at St John’s Catholic College for the inaugural School Socktober Mission Cup. Students collected points for their schools by playing in a variety of sockball games to qualify for the socktober match. The two highest scoring Primary Schools and two highest scoring Colleges versed each other in a dynamic Sockball Soccer. Congratulations to Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School and St John’s Catholic College for winning the School’s Socktober Mission Cup 2026.

Well done to all students for participating and a huge thank you to Catholic Education Identity and Mission Leader, Ann Charle, APREs and teachers for uniting in mission to organise and lead the Socktober Festival.

What a prayerful and joyful launching of Socktober as we head into Catholic Mission World Sunday this October to pray and appeal for our brothers and sisters in Malawi.