The Secular Franciscan Order Mission of Australia was created in 2019 to reach out to the needy and suffering throughout Australia and the world. Through donations received, the Mission Office has been able to broaden their outreach and help alleviate the suffering of some of society’s most marginalised.

An important aspect of the Mission is to be active and reactive – actively reaching out to assist the poor while reacting in a positive way to requests from our local and international brothers and sisters.

 

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Our Charity Status

The OFS Mission of Australia is a registered charity of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), but without Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. This means that while we gratefully accept donations, we are unable to issue tax-deductible receipts to our donors. for more information on our charity status please click HERE

 

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To donate please visit our Donation Page

 

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Sponsoring Students in Uganda

In April 2024, the OFS National Council approved a request from the Padre Pio fraternity in Uganda to sponsor the school fees of fifteen of their Youfra students at St Padre Pio Primary School, Kabulamuliro. The OFS Mission of Australia sees this as an important step in fraternal solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Uganda, by supporting those parents who would otherwise struggle to provide their children with the basic gift of education.

Most of the school children come from poor families or single mother families, while a number of the orphaned children are cared for by their grandparents or other relatives. The local Secular Franciscan fraternity were motivated to help those Young Franciscans who especially show a love for God and actively participate in most church activities.

 

 

 

Projects We Have Supported

Goa – India Assisiting sick and elderly OFS members In 2020 the OFS Mission responded to a request received from the Provincial Minister of the Capuchins in Goa for assistance for members of the Secular Franciscan Order in Goa. Our donation assisted thirteen members of the fraternity to purchase basic needs such as food and medication

 

PRINCIPE Bethany House – Home for the elderly In 2020 the OFS Mission made a donation to the Capuchin friars in Principe, off the western coast of equatorial Africa, to help build a home for the elderly. This project was supported by numerous OFS fraternities throughout the world.

 

Wells4Africa The International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order in Rome, has enthusiastically adopted Wells4Africa as an international project, supported by OFS national fraternities throughout the world. Since 2018, Wells4Africa has implemented 12 water projects. The OFS Mission of Australia is grateful to be part of this international effort of Secular Franciscan fraternities throughout the world.

 

LEBANON Supporting OFS victims of the Beirut blast The Secular Franciscan Order in Australia was saddened to hear of the devastation caused to members of our own order in the 2020 blast in Beirut. The OFS Mission urgently sent funds to the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order in support of those members.

 

GOA, INDIA Supporting Prinosca’s study The OFS Mission of Australia is proud to sponsor Prinosca, a bright young lady from Goa, to study a four year Bachelor of Science degree in Anaesthesia Technology and Operation Theatre Technology, at Father Muller Medical College of Allied Health Sciences Kankanady Mangalore, India. Prinosca is the daughter of Secular Franciscan parents who are not financially able to support their daughter. The OFS Mission was more than happy to help them. In 2024 Prinosca will complete her final year of study.

 

PRINCIPE Milk Bank Operating on the Islands of San Tome e Principe off the Ivory Coast, Africa, The Milk Bank aims to secure fresh drinking milk for babies and young children to supplement their daily nutritional intake. The project also supports the delivery of educational resources to young children.

 

MYANMAR Supporting OFS Members In 2021 a request was received from the National Minister of the OFS in Myanmar, describing the dire situation due to COVID-19 and its impacts on its members who were going without basic food and medical supplies. The OFS Mission of Australia was pleased to help our struggling Franciscan brothers and sisters in Myanmar

 

ZIMBABWE John Bradburne Memorial Society  John Bradburne was a Secular Franciscan from England who spent 10 years caring for lepers in Zimbabwe, Africa. He was murdered in 1979. His cause for canonisation has begun. The JBMS was founded to support the Mutemwa Care Centre in Zimbabwe where John served. The OFS Mission of Australia is pleased to make an ongoing donation to the JMBS in aid of their good work.

 

HAITI Support for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady In response to the earthquake and severe storms in Haiti during August 2021, the OFS Mission of Australia made a donation to the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady sisters in support of their work. The sisters operate a Hospital, Outpatients Clinic and Nutrition Centre for mums and bubs. They also offer education and social welfare services. The quake and floods have placed additional stress on the services they provide and have depleted their reserves.

 

BRAZIL Support for flood victims Following the 2021 Christmas floods in states of Bahia, and Minas Gerais, Brazil, an urgent appeal was sent out by the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order to OFS fraternities throughout the world in support of  victims. The OFS Mission of Australia made an immediate response to this appeal.

 

UKRAINE In response to the war in Ukraine, the OFS Mission of Australia sent out an urgent appeal to support the Franciscans on the ground in their work. This appeal was generously received by OFS member throughout Australia, raising over $13,000 which was immediately sent to the friars in Ukraine.

 

UGANDA Padre Pio Fraternity – Hair Salon In 2022, the OFS Mission of Australia received a request from the Padre Pio OFS fraternity in Uganda to help fund the establishment of a hair salon to employ members of their fraternity, as well as members of the YouFra. Through this project the ladies of the fraternity will earn an income and support their children’s school fees as well as other basic necessities. The OFS Mission was excited to support our sisters in Uganda.

 

TURKEY/SYRIA Earthquake Appeal In wake of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order issued an urgent appeal for fundraising to support the victims. Throught the generosity of  OFS members throughout Australia the OFS Mission was able to send $5000 to Turkey and Syria.

 

MALAWI Sponsorship  The OFS Mission has been pleased to support Felix, our Secular Franciscan brother from Malawi, to complete his Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Chancellor College, University of Malawi. With our aid Felix was able to complete his degree in 2025 and is now working to support students in his community.

 

UGANDA St John Paul II Kango Catholic Parish, student sponsorship Fr Felix, a professed Secular Franciscan priest wrote to us in 2024 requesting student sponsorship for a number of the Youfra students at his parish school. The OFS Mission was pleased to support this request and are happy to hear of the progress of these young students.

The Secular Franciscan Order Mission of Australia greatly welcomes any donations that can assist us in transforming the lives of those living in poverty.

If you could help us help others, please find out how to Donate here.  Thank you.

 

 

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Download & Read the Missions Newsletter below

Christmas Newsletter 2023

Easter Newsletter 2023

June 2021 Missions Newsletter (PDF)

March 2021 Missions Newsletter (PDF)