A place to call home - it's Project Compassion 2002

Sydney
3 February 2002

'Violence never again' - Pope

Catholics honoured in Australia Day awards

'Field day' for sisters: six on list

Back-to-school gift aids needy

Archbishop Carroll to preach at city service

Retirement, but work remains on the menu

Wollongong Mass for women's league

Welfare groups call for release of detainees

Caritas sets appeal sights at $6m plus

Pledge to aid volcano victimsa

Salesian superior general dies

opinion: Let's be consistent in our own backyard

editorial: Message from Assisi

letters: A question of tradition

Conversation: In tune with life and the music of youth

Reflections: Religion - a force for peace, justice

Si! What happens if no Juan takes any notice!

A place to call home - it's Project Compassion 2002

Diocese honours King in blood

Sydney schools across the generations

inspirations: Camp for kids deserves a prize, too

A place to call home - it's Project Compassion 2002

Caritas Australia stepped in to help victims of the massive earthquake that devastated El Salvador in early 2000

Caritas Australia is focusing on the theme A Place to Call Home through its annual Project Compassion Appeal. Many people in our world lack a place to call home.

These are the people whose homes have been destroyed through natural disasters such as the Gujarat earthquake and the people who lost their homes in conflict such as that in East Timor in 1999.

And there are those who have been forced to flee from their homes and often their countries because of conflict - the experience of many refugees around the world.

Those who are forced to leave their impoverished homes and communities in search of work - and then find it hard to return - also experience the loss of home. This is the experience of women trafficked into prostitution in countries such as Nepal.

Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church's international aid agency, helps people in such situations through Project Compassion, helping them build a sense of home in communities throughout the world.

It empowers people to determine how they want to rebuild homes lost through disaster, conflict or poverty. Local people decide for themselves how best to create communities where there is a sense of security and hope for the future.

Project Compassion is an opportunity for people in Australia who have secure homes to give support to people who have no home, an opportunity for practical expression of the conversion of heart to which we are called during Lent.

Caritas Australia says Project Compassion gives us the opportunity to remember people who struggle to build safe and secure homes; to support them in their efforts to overcome disaster, conflict and poverty and rebuild community; and to help people throughout the world find a place to call home.

Project Compassion 2001 generated a record amount - more than $5.8 million - for which Caritas Australia has expressed its thanks.

"Your generous contributions mean that Caritas Australia is able to make a difference to the lives of people living in impoverished communities throughout our world," it says.

"Community is the essence of Caritas Australia. Caritas Australia is about people working together at home and overseas. It's about Project Compassion - a place to call home."

Donations to Project Compassion can be made by calling 1800 024 413, sending a contribution to Caritas Australia, GPO Box 9830 in your capital city or visit our website www.caritas.org.au