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Order of Malta Australia

News

Order of Malta serve and listen to vulnerable people through ECM Brisbane

18/08/2022 


Everyone has a story to tell, but not everyone has someone to listen.

 

On Sunday 14 August 2022, seven #OrderofMalta Members and Volunteers (OMV) appreciated sharing friendly and meaningful conversations with friends at the Emmanuel City Mission (ECM) homeless sanctuary in Brisbane.

 

OMV Andrew was moved by the openness of a new friend, *Andy, “Coming here is the highlight of my day. ECM welcomes me with open arms and provides me with food and a place to clean my clothes. Most of all, after taking a shower, I feel that I get my dignity back after a long day.”

 

Another friend *Kody confided about the sacrifices and hardships he has endured as a political and environmental activist, how it can be isolating, and how welcoming ECM is.

 

Attendees expressed appreciation for how the volunteers at ECM do not simply prepare or serve the meals, but sit down to chat over the meals, deepening the communal spirit.

 

Andrew reflects, “Volunteering with the Order of Malta, I realise how every person experiences joy or hurt in some way, and needs human connection. Many try to hide it. Some don’t want to feel like a burden. Sometimes we cannot guess or know what someone is going through. But we are all equal in our vulnerability to accept Christ’s message when he says “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. 

 

When some homeless people confide how they barely receive eye contact from people passing by, sometimes it helps just to talk and be listened to.

 

Please feel welcome to register your interest in joining OMV  https://www.orderofmalta.org.au/i-want-to-help/volunteer/

The Australian Association

The Australian Association, formed in 1974, currently has in excess of 300 members and aspirant members across every State and Territory of Australia. We also have ongoing and strong links with the Order’s National Associations throughout the Asia Pacific Region including in Singapore and the Philippines and with members of the Order in New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand and Korea. The Order of Malta is committed to serving Our Lords the Poor and Sick worldwide and has done so for over 900 years. This website shares with you the history, mission and current activities of the Order of Malta in Australia, and provides links to the work of the Order world-wide.