Iconic appeal part of St Bernadette's history
News
In its 60th year, Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal was launched in the place where it all began – St Bernadette’s Church at St Mary’s – on Shrove Tuesday.
It was a group of parishioners from St Bernadette’s (now part of St Ann’s parish), including the late David Shinnick, who began an overseas fundraising initiative which evolved into the first Project Compassion campaign in 1965.
The idea was that by giving up a luxury item for Lent, people could set aside the “few shillings” they saved and put it towards the purchase of a new motorboat for a fishing co-operative on Bathurst Island.
The inaugural national appeal involved the distribution of collection boxes which have become a mainstay of Lent for Australian Catholic schools, parishes and families.
Since then the campaign has raised millions of dollars for sustainable development projects and emergency relief operations around the world and in remote parts of Australia.
Helping to launch the appeal on March 4 was Anne-Marie Shinnick, whose father, David, died in November, members of the Caritas Australia Advisory Committee for SA and Caritas ambassadors.
The liturgy, led by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan, was also attended by students from St Thomas School at Goodwood, St Joseph’s School Kingswood, St Therese School at Colonel Light Gardens, St Catherine’s School at Stirling, St Francis De Sales College at Mt Barker and the host school, St Bernadette’s. Symbols of the schools’ involvement in Project Compassion over the past 60 years were brought to the altar by students.
Addressing the gathering, Anne-Marie said back in the 1960s her dad “had a dream”.
“He noticed that a small part of the world was very well off while the larger part of the world was hungry, poor, could not read or write, could not find shelter and were sick,” she said.
“This situation motivated him to try and change it. He went to see the Archbishop of the time about his plan to make a little box that could be used in people’s homes during Lent, that people could put their coins in, and at the end of Lent those little boxes could be donated to something worthwhile.
“This all started here in this church and in this school, and from little beginnings, big things grew.
“These little boxes went Australia-wide.
“Deep sea fishing boats were bought for the Tiwi Islands, wheat grain was sent to India and my dad took that shipment over there.”
Anne-Marie presented each student with an envelope containing four seeds – a gift from her father who believed that “fighting hunger starts in your own home”.
David died last year at the age of 94.
“He always said his greatest achievements were the Freedom from Hunger campaign and Project Compassion and the wonderful things they achieved,” she said.
“He was a trailblazer in local, national and international aid, and to this day it still continues.
“And I like to think that maybe some of you might be just like him.”
Archbishop O’Regan also paid tribute to the group of St Bernadette’s parishioners who began Project Compassion because they “wanted to make a difference”.
“We stand on their shoulders in a beautiful way, building on that wonderful tradition,” he said.
Archbishop O’Regan cooks pancakes after the liturgy.
“Sometimes we don’t quite know who we are helping but in all those lovely stories that Project Compassion will remind us during this journey of 40 days, we connect with people in a little way.”
Caritas Australia’s Abby Jones handed over the Project Compassion travelling candle to representatives of St Francis de Sales College, Mount Barker, which was the highest fundraising school in Australia last year. The college will host next year’s Project Compasssion launch.
Over the past 60 years Project Compassion has raised more than $290m.
This year the Lenten appeal has expanded to give the community more ways to unite against poverty through online fundraising pages and new activities.
The Long Walk for Water is a new self-defined 40-day walking challenge that individuals or teams can take on with the first 500 people to register receiving a free T-Shirt.
Parishes, schools, groups, or organisations can also register for other fundraising activities.
“Project Compassion is over 60 years old, but it continues to move with the times,” said Leanne Langdon, Community Fundraising manager at Caritas Australia.
“Those who want to fundraise online and share their efforts on social media will find it easier than ever to do so,” she said.
“Rest assured though that in-person community events and our iconic Project Compassion boxes are a mainstay that these digital offerings are designed to complement.”To find out visit fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au or email projectcompassion@caritas.org.au
