From the Leader of School Evangelisation
Year 12 Retreat
A number of staff and Year 12 students returned from their Retreat last week. It was a most special experience for our staff to share with our most senior students in their final year at SJC. Included below is a brief reflection on behalf of the Year 12 cohort.
Before coming on this retreat I had no idea what to expect, however, from the inaudible Incredibles 2 on the bus, the beautiful waterfall hike, yoga, the flying fox and the amazing race I was blown away. I am excited to return home to continue to build on the relationships that were formed and strengthened during this retreat. I want to thank everyone who made this retreat the best it could be and extremely memorable.
Project Compassion 2022
The season of Lent began last week with Ash Wednesday, which also marked the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion.
Each AWC group will shortly receive a Project Compassion box for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au
Included in today's newsletter is a little background information about the 'faces' of this year's appeal:
Week 1 - Anatercia from Mozambique
We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Anatercia, a 12-year-old girl living in a small village in southern Mozambique. She began to take on more and more adult responsibilities as her mother has chronic health issues. She did most of the household chores and had to travel up to five hours every day to collect clean water. Water scarcity also meant that harvests were poor and there was never enough to eat.
With your support, Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, was able to help Anatercia’s family to irrigate their farm to improve their food security. They also improved water access for households in the village, delivered sustainable farming training, and provided Anatercia with essential school supplies.
Anatercia’s health, education and quality of life have improved, along with the outlook of her whole community for all future generations.
Watch a short film about Anatercia’s story here:
Week 2 - Biru from India
This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.
Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.
Watch a short film about Biru’s story here:
We will continue to share these stories in upcoming newsletters.
Mrs Hannah Ardrey
Leader of School Evangelisation
