Lent begins for 2019

“The Good Samaritan is not just a parable. It is a way of life”

The start of Lent this week is a perfect reminder to return our focus to Jesus Christ and how we can each contribute to those less fortunate than ourselves. On Tuesday 5th March our Year 11 and 12 student leaders helped launch our 2019 campaign to support the Caritas Australia Project Compassion initiative. This charitable initiative has long been a tradition at the College with the school in recent years donated on average around $10,000. The money raised for this worthy cause goes directly to many disadvantaged communities around the world. It is always worth noting that unlike most other charities, Caritas ensures that almost 100% of money raised goes to the supporting its charitable works rather than administration costs. This is due to so much of the work being carried out by Catholic brothers and nuns.

In 2019 the focus of our Project Compassion drive has shifted away from PC led initiatives to a more whole school approach. It is also taking advantage of our College House system by having money raised contributing to points for the House Cup. Shrove Tuesday was the perfect opportunity to launch the initiative with student leaders cooking pancakes on Monday at lunch and then selling them before school on Tuesday. It was great to see each of the student leaders get so involved in the whole process and truly led by example. From just one morning of selling pancakes we raised $430. It is hoped that throughout the season of Lent, our student leaders will be heavily involved in various fundraisers to both raise funds and awareness for Project Compassion.

On Wednesday morning our various College Houses conducted liturgies for Ash Wednesday. These liturgies are always fantastic opportunities for students to spend time in their Houses for spiritual purposes rather than the usual focus on sporting carnivals. There was something special about the fact that all six of our College Houses were involved in the same liturgy in various parts of the school. Our Houses each have their own unique flavours but at the heart they are all united in their Catholic faith and mission. In speaking to the Mackillop students I reminded them to see the ashes as a sign of humility and that even though we all make mistakes that it is during Lent that we can prepare ourselves to be ready for Christ at Easter. It is through the sacrifices that we make during these 40 days that ensure we are ready to experience the joy of the Easter season.

Mr Matthew Bradbury

Acting Religious Education Coordinator