More than 250 students from CEWA schools across the Archdiocese of Perth gathered at Clontarf Aboriginal College in Manning on Shrove Tuesday for the launch of Caritas Australia’s 2019 Project Compassion – ‘Give 100% for Lent’. 

The event, held the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, brought the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and good works into focus in the context of serving marginalised and disadvantaged communities. 

After a Welcome to Country from Aunty Marie Taylor, and cultural dance from the Kwopidak Kenning Yok group, Clontarf Principal Troy Hayter welcomed teachers, guests and students, which for the first time at the annual launch event included those in Year 6 as well as high-schoolers.  

The Reverend Donald Sproxton, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, led Mass and reflected on the serving spirit of Lent, challenging those in attendance to “see the needs of others around us, and respond in love”. 

Being Shrove Tuesday, a pancake morning tea kept energy levels and spirits high, not just for the students and staff attending the launch, but also for the rest of the host College’s students. 

CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce shared her thoughts on how the work of Caritas aligned with Pope Francis’ call for justice for both humanity and the natural environment. 

Caritas Justice Educator Nathan Leber and Caritas Indonesia Program Manager Yohanes Baskoro provided details of the work of Caritas, a Catholic aid agency that provides emergency and development support to communities around the world. 

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s major annual fund-raising drive, and has received strong support from CEWA schools, along with the broader Catholic community for many years. 

In 2018, Project Compassion raised almost $11 million Australia-wide, with $1.25 million being donated from people across the Archdiocese of Perth, including CEWA schools and colleges. 

Caritas has shared a number of practical fund-raising ideas on their Project Compassion website. 

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