St Martin de Porres Catholic Aboriginal Community

03/07/2026

15/06/2026

There is something beautiful happening across the Diocese of Darwin right now.

https://www.facebook.com/darwindiocese

From Darwin to Alice Springs, from our parishes to our schools, from our young people receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation to the Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Darwin, from National Reconciliation Week gatherings to the ministry at Nungalinya College, from women's retreats to the Emmanuel City Mission pilgrimage, and with Ignite Conference just around the corner, the Holy Spirit is moving across the Northern Territory.
This is not a time to be standing alone.
This is not a time to become stagnant in our faith.
This is a time to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
A time to gather.
A time to pray.
A time to serve.
A time to encourage one another.
A time to be alive in the Spirit.
Sometimes we can think that nothing is happening in the Church, but when we stop and look around, we see faith being lived out every day. Young people are saying yes to God. Communities are coming together. Pilgrims are walking in faith. Leaders are serving. Families are growing in hope. The Gospel is being proclaimed throughout our Territory.
As we celebrate these many blessings, I encourage everyone across the Northern Territory to keep these ministries, events, communities and people in your prayers.
And if you've been sitting on the sidelines for a while, perhaps this is your invitation.
Come along, get involved, join your parish, attend an event, support a ministry, and meet new people.
Allow the Holy Spirit to renew your heart.
The Church is alive in the Northern Territory, and there is a place for you in it.
And if you're wondering how to get involved, see all the wonderful photos. Why not start by checking out the Diocese of Darwin page. There are so many opportunities to connect, participate, pray, learn and journey together as a community of faith.
Let us continue walking together in faith, hope and love.

The Catholic Diocese of Darwin is diverse and geographically vast, covering 1,350,000 sq km.

11/06/2026

My dear friends, sisters and brothers,

I warmly invite you to take part in the upcoming Ignite Conference, which will be held from 19 to 21 June at MacKillop Catholic College here in our Diocese. https://darwin.catholic.org.au/ignite-2026-ascend-lift-your-heart-ignite-your-spirit/

This is a gathering for people of all ages. Families, children, young people and all who come are welcome. It is a time to come together in faith, and I am confident that those who attend will experience a deeper renewal, a greater joy, and a renewed energy in their relationship with God.

Ignite has been a powerful experience for many who have attended in other places, and we are blessed to now host it within our own Diocese. The conference will include a variety of speakers, including Fr Rob Galea, along with worship, music, and opportunities to encounter the presence of God in a meaningful way.

I encourage you to spread the word and to consider attending. It is not simply an event, but an opportunity to pray, to reflect, and to grow together as a community of faith.

The registration includes meals for the duration of the conference, allowing everyone to participate fully in the experience.

As you come, come with open hearts. Come ready to pray, to listen, and to share in the beauty of our faith in a way that truly ignites our spirit.

I look forward to seeing many of you there.

God bless you all.
+Charles

Ignite 2026 – Ascend: Lift Your Heart. Ignite Your Spirit.

04/06/2026

The Law Fulfilled in Love
June 4, 2026

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Mark 12:28

We continue to read about Jesus’ various interactions, teachings, and prophetic actions in the Temple area during Passover, just days before He would be arrested and killed. During the week, Jesus cleansed the Temple of moneychangers and merchants and was confronted with hostility by various religious and political factions.

First, a group of chief priests, scribes, and elders challenged His authority to cleanse the Temple and then unsuccessfully conspired with some Pharisees and Herodians to trap Him in a legal dilemma. Next, some Sadducees confronted Him, but Jesus’ answer exposed their misunderstanding of the Scriptures and the power of God. In today’s Gospel, after witnessing that exchange, a scribe—impressed by Jesus’ answer—came forward. Rather than trying to trap Him, he asks a sincere question: “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

At that time, the scribe’s question reflected a common rabbinical discussion about the hierarchy of the Law. Perhaps because of the widespread disagreements among the various religious factions—priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees—scholars often sought to determine a guiding principle for what had been identified in Jewish tradition as 613 commandments within the Torah. Some commandments, like the prohibition of idolatry, seemed weightier, while others, like dietary laws, were considered less important.

Jesus’ response does not simply rank the commandments; it reveals their true purpose by uniting them in a way that fulfills the entire Law. Instead of engaging in legalistic debates, He elevates the discussion by going directly to the heart of the Law with a twofold summary: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31). By doing so, Jesus shows that love—of God first and of neighbor as an extension of that law—is the foundation and fulfillment of every commandment.

The scribe’s response—“Well said, teacher”—demonstrates both humility and wisdom, and Jesus affirms his understanding: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” This interaction contrasts with the previous confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders. Rather than trying to trap or discredit Jesus, the scribe listens attentively and responds with sincerity, and “No one dared to ask him any more questions” (Mark 12:32, 34).

Many in the crowd had likely been following Jesus’ encounters with the various religious and political factions throughout the week. At first, they may have been uneasy, seeing the repeated attempts to discredit Him. But as Jesus responded with authority and truth, they witnessed the growing contrast between those who sought to manipulate the Law for their own purposes and those who, like this scribe, genuinely desired to understand it.

Our own lives are sometimes burdened with controversy and division. Whether in politics, religion, academics, or daily life, disagreements arise that can easily lead to contention. When unchecked, these conflicts can foster division, hostility, and even obsessions that steal our peace. Jesus’ interaction with this scribe offers us a path forward: the way of humble inquiry, sincere dialogue, and the pursuit of Truth grounded in love. When we approach discussions with a heart open to God rather than with a desire to win an argument, we draw closer to His Kingdom.

Reflect today on the witness of this scribe. Though Jesus’ teaching on love of God and neighbor is of paramount importance, so is the example this scribe set in pursuit of the Truth. Consider your own approach to God’s Truth by examining your daily interactions with others. Do you struggle with being combative, resort to trickery, or obsess over being right and getting your way? Or do you seek the Truth that brings understanding and unity? Seek to imitate this scribe in humility and sincerity, and you, too, will not be far from the Kingdom of God.

Lord of Perfect Love, the fulfillment of Your Law is found in the pure and holy love of charity. Help me to love You above all things, and from that love, to see and treat others as You do. May my love for You transform me into an instrument of Your divine charity, that through me, Your love may bring healing, unity, and peace. Jesus, I trust in You.

29/05/2026

"John 3:16 is really God's love story to humanity. A reminder that no matter who we are, where we've come from, or what we've done, God looks at us and says: 'You belong to me, and I love you.'"

10/05/2026

Today we give thanks for our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and all the women who have nurtured, guided, protected, and loved us through every season of life.

Some are still with us.
Some are watching over us from the Spirit world.
Some stepped into the role of mum when they did not have to, but chose love anyway.

On this Mother’s Day, we honour the strength of our women, the quiet sacrifices, the long nights, the prayers, the wisdom, the laughter, the resilience, and the unconditional love that continues to shape our families and communities.

May God bless all mothers today with peace, strength, healing, and joy.
May those grieving or missing their mums feel comfort and love around them.
And may we never take for granted the gift of the women who carried us, raised us, and walked beside us.

And a special prayer and Love to our Mother Mary.

Happy Mother’s Day ❤️

07/05/2026

Lord, over this past week we have seen a lot of sadness.
We have seen grief, heartbreak, uncertainty, and communities carrying heavy burdens.
Some moments have left us struggling for answers.
But in the middle of all that sadness, we have also seen hope.
We have seen people stand beside one another with compassion, kindness, and love.
We have seen communities come together, reminding us that even in darkness, light is still present.
And today, in Gospel of John 15:9–11, Jesus reminds us:
“Remain in my love.” not in fear, not in hopelessness, but in love.
A love that walks with those who are hurting.
A love that listens, heals, and gives strength when people feel tired and broken.
So Lord, help us to remain in that love.
Help us to carry one another gently, to bring peace where there is pain, and hope where there is sadness.
And remind us that even in difficult times, You are still with us.
Amen.

05/04/2026

Bishop's Daily Reflection - He is alive
Easter is about hope, life, joy, fulfilment, and so much more! The global challenges, as well as many local ones, can at times give us good reason for concern. However, the drama of God becoming one of us in Jesus is about newness, freshness, and the fullness of life. No matter what