Students from five Catholic secondary colleges and several primary schools in the Diocese of Sale gathered at St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of Project Compassion.
The Bishop of Sale, Patrick O’Regan, during a prayer ritual developed by St Francis Xavier College staff, reminded attendees that the theme for Project Compassion, ‘Go Further, Together’, is a call for students to create positive change in their own communities, while encouraging those around them to do the same.
Gwen Michener, Justice Educator at Caritas Australia addressed students, inspiring them to come together to promote justice on both a local and a global scale, and to help end world poverty.
Deputy Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, Ms Debra Punton, said Project Compassion gives students an opportunity to advocate for the less fortunate, in line with the Diocese of Sale’s commitment to the protection of vulnerable people.
“A key tenet of Catholic education is embedding Catholic Social Teaching in the lived experience of the school. Throughout the year, and especially during Lent, our staff and students are encouraged to connect with the global community, providing hope for a just and fair world,” she said.
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual awareness and fundraising appeal. During Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, staff and students from across the Diocese will work with their local community to raise money for those in need.
