Thousands of supporters across Australian Catholic schools and parishes have joined in solidarity with the world’s poor by donating more than $10.8 million to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion campaign, it was released today.
And one of the highest money raisers was St Ursula’s at Kingsgrove.
Taking their motto – I Will Serve – very seriously, the college raised a whopping $8000, well and truly smashing the average of $1900 raised per school.
Held annually over the six weeks of Lent, Project Compassion raises awareness and funds to address extreme poverty and promote justice across the world.
This year’s Project Compassion theme of “For a Just Future” highlighted the role that young people have to play in the solutions to the challenges facing their societies globally.
Caritas Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul O’Callaghan, thanked supporters and communities across Australia for their support.
“Lent is the time of year when we put our faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“For more than 50 years, Project Compassion has helped change the lives of millions of people. The generosity of our supporters makes this possible.
“With this support, Caritas Australia is able to go wherever the challenges are greatest, empowering communities to eradicate poverty.”
St Ursula’s Youth Ministry Coordinator Antoinette Nader said service is at the heart of everything they do so raising money for Project Compassion was something the whole community embraced.
“The students here are Serviam women – women who challenge the norm and who are always called to be countercultural – to make a difference and serve the Lord, the community and our families,” she said.
“The students worked really hard to create community building activities that challenged our thinking and our hearts.
“The incredible fundraising effort is a fitting reminder that young people have a wonderful capacity for empathy and a thirst for justice.”
During Project Compassion, the stories of young people from Nepal, Cambodia, Jordan, Australia, Mozambique and the Philippines were shared.
Money raised during Project Compassion goes towards Caritas Australia’s humanitarian and long term development programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and with Australia’s First Peoples.
Last year, Caritas Australia reached over two million people directly.