Generous school kicks off fight against poverty
News
More than 1000 students at a South Australian Catholic school noted for its outstanding fundraising efforts turned out for the launch of a global anti-poverty campaign on Shrove Tuesday.
Students at St Francis de Sales College in Mount Barker were joined by Archbishop Patrick O’Regan to celebrate the launch of Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s Lenten fundraising campaign.
St Francis de Sales has raised a combined $50,000 over the past two annual appeals, more than any other school in Australia in 2024 and bettered by just one other school across the country last year.
Left to right: Caritas Australia’s Latoya Schadel, James Gill (St Francis de Sales), Anne Mercorella (St Ignatius’ College) and Caritas Australia’s Karen de Sousa.
The vast school sports centre was packed for a procession featuring the Archbishop, the concelebrating parish priest Fr Philip Marshall and eight school leaders from four schools. A small school band and choir added to the occasion.
Caritas Australia philanthropy and development manager, Latoya Schadel, had the honour of lighting the ‘Travelling Candle’ which signifies God’s presence in the Project Compassion journey.
St Francis de Sales college captain Madi spoke about the history of the Lenten appeal which began more than 60 years ago.
“Now every school and parish across Australia will join together to unite against poverty this Lent,” said Madi.
“As individuals we can help each other but when we come together through Project Compassion our ‘good’ becomes ‘great’.”
Representatives from sister schools, St Joseph’s Murray Bridge and St Catherine’s School at Stirling, as well as the host school for next year’s Project Compassion,
St Ignatius’ College, were also present.
Archbishop O’Regan referred to the day’s Gospel reading (Mark) of Jesus and his disciples in a boat with just one loaf of bread between them, asking the students to think about what they might be able to bring to the fight against world poverty, whether it be donating time, creativity, fundraising or more.
Ms Schadel introduced a video shown on a giant screen which focused on a young girl – Sisilia – living in remote Tanzania with her mother (her father had died) and four siblings.
Until recently, Sisilia walked for 30 minutes before school every day to collect water from a murky lake before walking 30 minutes back home.
After school she would often repeat this trip twice daily.
“Sisilia was late for school because water had to come first,” Ms Schadel said.
Money raised has now gone towards the installation of clean water taps at school and a 30 minute trek for Sisilia has now become just a two minute walk.
Choosing to care about a girl living on the other side of the world matters, Ms Schadel said. Sisilia is now hoping to become a pilot when she becomes an adult.
The Travelling Candle was handed over to St Ignatius’ Junior College at the end of the service.
