By Josh Low
Loving our neighbour and supporting the less fortunate was the key message at the launch of Project Compassion for 2017 by Caritas Australia’s Manager of Community Engagement, Father George Sigamony.
Project Compassion was officially launched for the year at St Mary’s Cathedral, with Mass celebrated by Monsignor Michael Keating and con-celebrated by Fr Sigamony and assisted by newly appointed Director of Caritas Australia’s Perth Office Deacon Paul Reid.
Fr Sigamony discussed Caritas’ work in empowering communities both here in Australia and abroad, drawing from stories which will be featured in the coming weeks by The eRecord.
He spoke of the importance of helping those in need, emphasising that our neighbours are not just those we encounter daily in our lives.
“During the Lenten season, it’s important for us to think about ourselves as well as our neighbours who aren’t as fortunate as we are.
“Caritas is really focusing on the theme of ‘Love your Neighbour’, with neighbours being those not just in our immediate surroundings but others spread throughout the world who are in need of assistance.
“We know that there are people who are suffering, and we now have the opportunity to really help and support them,” he said.
St Paul himself, in the Acts of the Apostles, calls for works of mercy in supporting the less fortunate, referencing the words of Jesus on the act of giving.
“We must exert ourselves in this way to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving’.” (Acts 20:35)
With last year’s Project Compassion raising $11 million overall towards those in need, Fr Sigamony is hopeful that this year’s effort will raise more.
“We look forward to getting the support of the Catholic community in Australia in a sort of ‘joining together’ in the sufferings of others.
“Our hope is that through the generosity of our Australian communities, we will be able to raise more this year for those who need support.
“The donations that go to Project Compassion can really make a difference and bring hope to people’s lives,” he concluded.
Caritas Australia continues Shrove Tuesday tradition with fundraising initiative
Caritas Australia continued its Shrove Tuesday tradition this week with the first of their fundraising initiatives, a few days after the official launch of this year’s Project Compassion at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Shrove Tuesday – a pancake-based lunch held before Ash Wednesday and in preparation for the Season of Lent – gave the Caritas team an opportunity to share the stories of Project Compassion 2017 with directors and coordinators from across the Archdiocese.
Held on 28 February at the Catholic Pastoral Centre of Our Lady of the Mission in Highgate, the event was facilitated by Caritas Australia’s newly appointed Director of the Perth Office, Deacon Paul Reid, and Justice Educator for Western Australia, Anita Finneran.
Pope Francis past comments on poverty being a scandal in the world, were raised.
“In a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone, it is unfathomable that there are so many hungry children, that there are so many children without an education, so many poor persons,” the Holy Father said.
With this year’s theme of ‘Loving your neighbour’, there was an emphasis on the need to work together collaboratively for those in need.
Anita Finneran, has previously encouraged support for Project Compassion, to provide help to impoverished communities become self-sufficient and in the process, create a ‘better future for our world’.
“Caritas Australia has worked with partner agencies overseas and in First Australian communities to assist those communities lift themselves out of poverty.
“Your donations make a big difference to our capacity to help impoverished communities become stronger and more resilient,” Ms Finneran said.
Students from Newman College were also present, and assisted in the making of the pancakes, with three Year 12 students sharing their experience of the college’s immersion trip to the Philippines.
Jackson, Lucy and Peter all discussed the impact their experiences, and showcased a video from their trip.
Project Compassion will run during Lenten season, beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 1), all the way up to Easter, and provides humanitarian and long-term development programs in countries across Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Latin America and First Australian communities.
Australians are invited to support Project Compassion by making a donation, or by hosting fundraising events in their local school, parish, community or neighbourhood. Supporters can also to share their stories on social media at #ProjectCompassion.
To donate to Project Compassion or for fundraising ideas visit www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phone 1800 024 413.