Pope Francis – World Mission Day Message 2020

“…. the mission of Jesus in history …. sends us everywhere so that, through our witness of faith and the proclamation of the Gospel, God may continue to manifest God’s love and in this way touch and transform hearts, minds, bodies, societies and cultures in every place and time.”

 

The Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, in Northwest Cambodia, has been assisting people with disabilities for over 20 years. Bishop Enrique “Kike” Figaredo founded the Arrupe Centre in 2001 to specifically help children with disabilities to access education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. At the Arrupe Centre children, like Dara, who have been injured due to the presence of landmines left over from the Pol Pot era, are able to access education.

Watch the video below to learn more:

Script questions

Mass at La Paloma 0.00 – 1.44

Here is a mass being celebrated by Bishop Kike in the province of Battambang at the La Paloma Centre.

  • What elements of the mass are different to what you would usually experience at your school or parish?
  • Identify the unique cultural aspects of this mass. How do they add to the experience of the mass for the people of Battambang?
  • What cultural elements could be added to the masses and liturgies celebrated at your school or parish?

Obrum School Battambang 1.44 – 3.00

This is the Obrum school in Battambang – have a look at the outside of the school and the playground.

  • Name three things you identify that are similar to your classroom and three that are different
  • What resources are the students using? What resources do you use in your classroom?
  • Why are there differences in the types of resources available to students in this classroom compared to yours?

Dara’s House  3.00 – 4.07

This is the home where Dara and his family live.

  • How do you think they earn their living? What would be the leisure activities? Where would the cooking be done?
  • What support is there for children with disabilities in Aust? What support is there for children like Dara in Cambodia?

Arrupe Centre Class with Dara 4.07 – end

This is the Arrupe Centre where Dara and other students attend to learn English after school.

  • Why is it important for these students to learn English?
  • Identify some elements of the classroom, and the teaching, that you think would help the students in their learning.
  • What specific support does Dara have in this class? What support do students with disabilities have in Australia have to enhance their learning?

Reflect on the scripture passage used for the Liturgy and the Mass: Lk 5: 17-26.

The people carrying the paralysed person made sure that their voice and concerns were heard.

  • When have you been the voice for someone not being heard?
  • What was the situation?
  • How did you feel being the one who was speaking for the person?

Bishop Kike wears around his neck a pectoral cross that features Jesus as an amputee to remind us that when we stand in solidarity with children with disabilities we stand in solidarity with Christ. In Catholic Mission’s video Bishop Kike says,

“We are God’s arms, we are God’s heart, we are the body of Christ in the world.”

Explore the Catholic Social Teaching of Solidarity and reflect on how your understanding applies to Bishop Kike’s statement.

Research the Statue of the Holy Mary of Inclusive Love here

“We are all under the love of God. We are all creatures made as an image of God” Using your favourite type of media, develop a response to this statement drawing on a story of encounter from your own experience.

Explore the connection between Catholic Social Teaching and the Sustainable Development Goals. Develop Mission and Action plans to raise awareness of, and support for the Arrupe centre, that include references to both.

There are more ways you can help children in Cambodia through Prayer, Advocacy and Fundraising.