The day also included the official opening of the Christmas Art Show with a number of awards presented for standout pieces.

World Mission Month is an Australia-wide fundraising celebration throughout the month of October.

Diocesan director Catholic Mission, Michael Deasy said that St Matthew’s already has a connection to month.

“In Term 3 St Matthew’s hosted a visit by Ugandan missionary priest Father Philip Balikuddembe, who was in the Diocese of Bathurst as part of a promotion for Catholic Mission,” he said.

And added that the launch of the month has become a significant event in its own right.

“From the inaugural event’s humble beginnings in Mackillop College in Bathurst six years ago it has successfully updated the profile and understanding of World Mission Month in all parishes and schools in the Diocese of Bathurst.

“For the benefit of the church’s overseas and home mission.”

Bathurst Bishop Michael McKenna lead the celebration and presented this Primary Schools’ Christmas Art Show Awards.

Executive director of schools, Jenny Allen, said that the month is about helping others.

“During this week Pope Francis reminded us that the culture we live in is a very selfish one, with a very strong dose of narcissism,” she said.

“The message he particularly wanted to extend to young people was, that in contrast to what society suggests to us, we should concentrate on helping others.

“The two areas of focus for us today – the work of Catholic Mission and our students’ Christmas Art – deepen our understanding of these fundamental aspects of our life in faith.”

“In these art works students have reflected on both the historical and spiritual dimensions of the Christmas story.”

For more information on the appeal, including the video ‘Mission at the Heart’, visit catholicmission.org.au/wmm/2017-world-mission-month.