Marist Mission Centre
Hunters Hill, NSW, Australia
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Marist Mission Centre |
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Marist Mission Centre Australia is a special work of the Australian Province of Marist Fathers [Priests and Brothers of the Society of Mary] established to support the international missions of the Marist Fathers. Marist missions exist in Africa, Thailand, Philippines, South-West Pacific, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil. In addition to Marist mission support MMC assists development projects for poverty alleviation in countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Our special care for the alienated, marginalised and dispossessed bring us into regular contact with the young. MMC is committed to promoting peace and challenging the causes of injustice and poverty by raising awareness and funds within the Australian community and by partnering overseas community groups in sustainable development projects. |
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Marist vision and spirit Recognising Mary's dynamic yet hidden presence in the early Church, MMC works with her to bring people together in the establishment of God's reign in our world. Mary, the support of the Church at its birth and at the end of time, is the model for all Marists in responding to the call to "build a new Church". At the same time MMC recognises the Gospel call for outreach to the poor and needy and the development of the dignity of the human person and all peoples.
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 Mary at Tutu, Taveuni Island, Fiji |
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Goals
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Office: Tel: +61 2 9816 3187 Email: Feel free to email your comments to our staff:
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The Mission to Japan The Marist Mission Centre was established in 1949 as the Japanese Marist Mission League supporting the first Marists who went to Japan after the second world war. An initial gathering took place in the Lower Town Hall Sydney and was made up of ex-POWs, relatives and friends of Father Lionel Marsden SM. They gathered to acknowledge the fulfillment of a promise Lionel made during his years as a prisoner-of-war to go to Japan as a missioner if he survived and, at the same time, to pledge their financial support for Lionel and any other Marists who would follow him to Japan in the work of evangelisation and assistance to survivors of the ravages of war. The Japanese Marist Mission League's first honorary president was Father James Murphy SM . From the outset, because the initiative came from an Australian Marist, the Region of Japan has always been the responsibility of the Australian Province. In 1950 Father John Glynn SM was appointed as Director. Through his efforts and those of Marists returning from Japan the membership of the Japanese Marist Mission League expanded enabling the purchase of land and buildings to establish mission stations in Nara Prefecture, the area given to the Marist Fathers by the then Bishop Furuya for the work of evangelisation. At the time of the arrival of the first Marists in Nara there was one old Japanese-style church and a small kindergarten. During the subsequent years seven other churches were built, four more kindergartens, two old people's homes and the Christian community of Nara expanded from a handful in 1949 to over 3,000 by 2004. ExpansionIn the middle 60s, under the Directorship of Father Michael O'Halloran SM, the name was changed to the Marist Mission Centre. The name change was significant. As the economy of Japan improved so did the financial independence of Marists working in Nara thus making possible a new direction for the Mission Centre. At first attention was turned to the South Pacific Marist mission areas which at that time were expanding and were in need of support both in terms of infrastructure and especially support for formation programs as local vocations increased. The Marist Mission Centre expanded its support to embrace other missionary groups working in many countries as far away as Upper Volta, Thailand and other Third World nations. This approach broadened the appeal of MMC and attracted supporters from around Australia with no previous connection with Marists. The ever expanding requests for support meant increasing the numbers of committed friends and donors. This was achieved through the newsletter, the establishment of an art union and personal correspondence with supporters, the latter being a feature of the Mission Centre's success. The Society of Mary mission outreach developed further during the 70s and 80s. Mission districts were established in Africa, Peru, Venezuela and the Philippines. This led to an increase of requests from the Marist General Administration for funds for initial formation as more young prospective vocations joined the Marists. Competition for the charity dollar intensified during the 70s and 80s and it became clear that if MMC was to continue to attract funds the tax deductible facility would be necessary. This was negotiated and in 1984 the Marist Mission Centre became a registered charity under the title of Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid Fund with the right to issue tax deductible receipts. As a registered charity MMC was then able to access funds offered to the NGO community of Australia from the Australian Agency for International Development, (AusAID) the official government overseas aid agency. Today MMC is one of the better established small NGOs in Australia currently supporting development projects in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. MMC is also the principal contributor to the international missions of the Society of Mary. |
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Office staff Mrs Clarissa Cole Part-time Volunteers Today our volunteer team of retirees come to MMC each Tuesday to assist with the important task of newsletter mailings, the "Big Bike Ride" appeal and the preparation of used stamps for sale. Since 2002, in the wake of MMC's "The Other Half" exposure journeys, a group of young adult volunteers complement our regular group with an enthusiastic working bee prior to mailing. We have five mailings a year: our quarterly Marist Mission Newsletter and the annual "Big Bike Ride" appeal ("Cycling for Seminarians") reaching over 6,000 Catholic families in Australia and worldwide. The dedication of our volunteers allows this important work to happen. |
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Give your time: If you wish to join our Tuesday volunteers or the young adult group, contact: Agnes Sivaram on 02 9816 3187 during office hours (10am - 4pm, Mon - Thu).
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The Marist Mission Centre Australia respects the privacy and confidentiality of our supporters and those we assist overseas. Collection of personal information MMC collects personal information about its supporters in order to acknowledge their donation and express gratitude on behalf of those whom we assist overseas. This is done with either a tax-deductible receipt and letter or (where a receipt cannot be provided) a simple letter of acknowledgment and thanks. Use of personal information of supporters enables MMC to let them know where their donation is going, and to encourage them in continuing support of MMC in its work. MMC respects the wishes and privacy of those individuals who ask to remain anonymous and do not require acknowledgment or further information about where their donation goes.MMC does not collect personal information irrelevant to the functions and activities of the agency. Where appropriate, MMC collects the following information about its supporters:
MMC also assigns an identifying donor number to each supporter, which is automatically generated by the database program, and a donor status:
MMC is a signatory of the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct states:
MMC collects personal information primarily from the individual. It is not our practice to use commercially available lists for purposes of fundraising or any other purposes. Through appeals and the distribution of a quarterly newsletter, MMC seeks to provide information about MMC practices and current operations, to inform supporters and others of the extent and as to the quality of MMC's practices and current operations. Disclosure It is MMC's usual practice to collect personal information directly from the individual. When personal information has been collected from another source, MMC informs the individual in the first communication how the information was obtained and for what purposes. MMC primarily collects personal information directly from the individual. MMC does not disclose personal information of supporters to other organisations or individuals, except when a donation has been received that is directed through MMC to another organisation or individual. In this situation, the supporter's name, address and donation amount is supplied to the recipient of the donation. This means that the supporter receives a letter of acknowledgment directly from the recipient.Data quality It is MMC policy to maintain an up-to-date and accurate database of supporter information. When an individual contacts MMC to advise of a change or correction in their personal information or of the death of a supporter, it is the responsibility of the Donor Services Supervisor to ensure that where possible, these requests are responded to and the relevant information updated. Common requests include a change of address or banking details, corrections in the spelling of a name or address or notification of the death of a supporter. Data security Each night and over the weekend, MMC office is securely locked and alarmed. Donations being processed by the Donor Services Supervisor are locked in the safe at the end of each day. MMC also encourages a 'clean desk policy' amongst its staff. The supporter database is password-protected. No visitors are allowed access to the database, unless authorised for a specific purpose. Although all four members of MMC staff have access to the supporter database, it is the responsibility of the Donor Services Supervisor alone to maintain the supporter database and make any necessary updates, changes or corrections. MMC retains personal information of those supporters who are deceased, no longer donate or have requested removal from the mailing list, strictly for reasons of maintaining accurate financial and statistical records. Access and correction MMC is happy to inform its supporters and other individuals as to its practices, including what sort of personal information is held, how it is collected and how it is held and used. MMC readily accedes to the requests of individuals for access to their own personal information; MMC takes care to ensure that the privacy of other individuals or supporters is safeguarded. Identifiers MMC does not normally use Commonwealth Government identifiers for its own purposes. Supporters are given an identifying donor number that is automatically generated by the donor database. For MMC projects, including those which are funded partially or wholly by AusAID (and administered by MMC), MMC uses its own system of identifiers. Transborder data flows MMC discloses personal information of supporters to other organisations or individuals overseas only when a donation has been received that is directed through MMC to another specific organisation or individual. In this situation, the supporter's name, address and donation amount is supplied to the recipient of the donation. This means that the supporter receives a letter of acknowledgment directly from the recipient. This is in accordance with the primary purpose of MMC in collecting personal information - to acknowledge donations received by a letter of thanks and (if appropriate) a receipt - and is done in the interests of the individual. Sensitive information MMC does not collect sensitive information about its supporters. Sensitive information is defined in the National Privacy Principles as the following information or opinion about an individual:
Although MMC is a Catholic-based agency, it does not restrict its supporter base to members of the Catholic Church; nor does it restrict its operations overseas to working with other Catholic agencies. Further information The Marist Mission Centre supports and is governed by the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 and the National Privacy Principles. These documents and other information regarding your right to privacy can be found at www.privacy.gov.au or by calling the Privacy hotline on 1300 363 992. MMC Privacy Officer If you have any questions on MMC's Privacy Policy or relating to your privacy, or for further information, please contact the Privacy Officer at the Marist Mission Centre. Contact details are as follows: Postal address: Locked Bag 5002, Gladesville NSW 1675Street address:3 Mary Street, Hunters Hill NSW 2110 Tel: +61 2 9816 3187 Fax: +61 2 9879 7126 Email: the Privacy Officer |
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