The SVD mission in the predominantly Indigenous, remote parish of Balgo-Kutjungka in the Diocese of Broome, Western Australia, is widespread, taking in the main parish church and six outstations, with the furthest one being 10 hours drive away.

But despite the big distances involved, Parish Priest, Fr Paulo Vanuitu SVD, says the mission is clear – to accompany the people in the daily challenges and joys of their lives and to share in their rich cultural and faith life.

The Balgo mission was started by the Pallotine German missionaries in 1939 and has, over the years, been home to the Jesuits, St John of God Sisters, Sisters of Mercy, and Lassallian Brothers.

The SVD took up the pastoral care of the parish in December 2023 when Fr Paulo was installed as parish priest, and soon after, he was joined by assistant priest Fr Ronaldo Rodriguez SVD.

Linked with both the Great Sandy Desert and the Tanami Desert, the 2021 census recorded Balgo’s population as 430. Balgo is a multicultural community of Aboriginal peoples, with seven other language groups besides the main language Kukatja represented. There are: Ngardi, Djaru, Warlpiri, Walmajarri, Wangkajunga, Pintupi and Ngaatjatjarra residents.

“Each of the six stations in the parish have their own dialect,” Fr Paulo says.

“The outstations are scattered all around the Tanami, with the closest one an hour away and the furthest one, 10 hours away.

“So, usually, between the two of us, Fr Ronaldo and I rotate around, so that one of us will go out and do the rounds of the stations and the other stays put in the parish here in Balgo.”

Each of the six outstations in the parish has a Catholic school, which Fathers Paulo and Ronaldo visit regularly on their rounds. Three of the stations have a church, while the other three have chapels within the schools for the use of the community. They also visit aged care facilities within the parish.

Fr Paulo says the liturgy reflects the ancient local culture, with Balgo famous for having produced a liturgy which incorporates elements of Aboriginal language and culture.

The Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit was approved by Australia’s bishops and is now awaiting formal recognition by the Vatican.

Fr Paulo said that although the Mass has been celebrated in the Kimberley for many years, the news of the official recognition by the bishops was well received by the local people.

“They were really happy, actually,” he said.

“The Mass has been around for some time, so the people were not surprised, but when we heard about it, everyone was very happy.”

Fr Paulo said the Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit, known as The Kimberley Mass, is celebrated every Sunday in Balgo and to have it recognised by the bishops was a significant occasion.

Meanwhile, Fr Paulo said there are many social challenges experienced by the Aboriginal people in this remote part of Australia, including poor health outcomes and low employment.

“We also have a lot of funerals,” he said.

The priests not only celebrate the Funeral Mass, but also go to the mortuary to collect the body and take it to the station to wait for the funeral to take place.

“Then the funeral takes the whole day,” he said. “There is a lot of cultural input over the whole day.”

And, while the Aboriginal cultures predominate in the area, Fr Paulo said there are people from other cultures who come to the area as teachers and to work on other projects.

“Interestingly, in some of our stations we’ve had an influx of migrants coming and going – some from the Philippines and also some Fijians – working in the hotel industry, in aged care, and for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. So, we’re having some more multicultural presence among us.”

Fr Paulo says he has always received a warm welcome from the people and his time in Balgo has “gone so fast”.

“We’ve just been getting to know the communities, the people, and finding our way around,” he said.

“We’re working together with the people and trying our best to go along with a spirit of synodality whenever the situation permits.

“We’re also listening and learning a lot about culture and expressions of faith, and mainly, just being with the people.”

PHOTOS

TOP RIGHT: Fr Paulo Vatunitu SVD with parishioners after a feast day Mass.

MIDDLE LEFT: Fr Paulo at a school Mass in Balgo

MIDDLE RIGHT: Funeral Masses are an important part of cultural life and often take the whole day.

BOTTOM LEFT: Fr Ronaldo Rodriguez SVD with Fr Paulo and a plane being used to cover the vast distance to transport them to the Chrism Mass in Broome.