On Monday evening, the families of children who will be celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist met in the church for a Sacrament Information Meeting. I thank them for their attendance at this important meeting. On Saturday, 25^thMay, our Year 4 children will receive Confirmation. They are journeying towards this important Sacrament and I thank their teachers for leading them on their faith journey. These children will then begin preparing to receive Eucharist for the first time during regular Sunday Masses at St Pius X Church on 23^rdand 30^thJune. This is a busy time of preparation for our Year 4 classes and I acknowledge the support of families in preparing their children for this important step in their journey of faith.

Last week our Caritas focus was on Peter from the Solomon Islands. This week, we look a little closer to home, and are learning about Michaela from the central desert of Australia who runs a dialysis centre for people suffering from kidney disease. This is her story:

Twenty-one year-old Michaela is helping to build a social enterprise for people with chronic illnesses at The Purple House in Alice Springs. Featured in Project Compassion 2014, the First Australian-run Wellbeing Program, uses its profits to connect and care for dialysis patients who are far from home.

As a Purple House trainee, Michaela completed a Certificate IV in business management. She was also recently promoted from administration trainee to permanent employee, working on The Wellbeing Program.

The young Alywarr woman cares for patients as they receive dialysis and helps them to feel at home and remain hopeful during treatment. Patients in turn pass on traditional knowledge to Michaela.

The program is run by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Caritas Australia.

First Australians are twice as likely to experience chronic kidney disease, and four times more likely to die from it than other Australians*.

With the help of staff like Michaela, the Aboriginal-controlled service gives patients the opportunity to stay connected with their culture. They do this through traditional healing practices and income-generating activities, such as making bush balms and soaps.

Profits are invested back into supporting patients receiving remote care and help to get people on dialysis back on country.

In addition to completing her studies, Michaela has obtained a driver’s licence, is building her leadership skills running workshops solo.

“Hope means having something to look forward to. I enjoy building relationships with the patients and learning from them. If we keep our culture alive we can feel strong.”