On Tuesday 4 March, the 2014 launch of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion fundraiser was held at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane City.
The Project Compassion fundraiser runs during the six weeks of Lent to help raise money to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
Caritas Australia is one of the largest aid and development agencies in the world.
The organisation aims to build a better world for the poor and oppressed in society with their aid schemes reaching over 200 countries worldwide.
This year, the focus was on the desire for everyone to have a full and beautiful life, within the surroundings of a safe and secure home.
“Men and women of all times and all places desire a full and beautiful life... a life that is not threatened by death but that can mature and grow to its fullness,” Pope Francis said.
A group of students and staff from Stuartholme attended the launch and said it was a great atmosphere for raising awareness.
“This year we listened to a speaker who had spent time in the favelas of Brazil, which is one of the focus areas for Caritas 2014,” Stuartholme teacher Jennie Warrick said.
“We also made lanterns to ‘shine our light into the darkness,’ participated in a pancake flipping relay and listened to Archbishop Coleridge’s message for us as we commence the 40 days of Lent.”
The new CEO of Caritas Australia, Paul O’Callahan and Queensland Head of Caritas, Joseph Foley also attended.
“They both made us feel very welcome and thanked us for the Stuartholme community’s generosity towards those they assist who live with extreme poverty and injustice on a daily basis,” Jennie said.
“We were fortunate to have them both attend our Ash Wednesday Mass the following day to witness how passionate we are at Stuartholme to reach out to the vulnerable and marginalised of our modern world this Easter.”
For more information please visit Caritas Australia.
