Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion 2024 was launched around the Diocese on Shrove Tuesday. 

“Pancake Day” festivities have become a tradition in schools and parishes and call us to the start of this key fundraising and awareness appeal to support Caritas Australia’s on ground partners to empower people living in vulnerable communities.

Over the Lenten season schools and parishes will host walkathons (Caritas Ks), pancake stalls, cake stalls, raffles and other ventures to raise funds for Project Compassion – compassion in action.

As well as fundraising, Project Compassion aims to raise awareness of social justice issues impacting people who are living in vulnerable communities – plighted by war, natural disasters, or poverty. This year, Caritas Australia features the stories of three different women, revealing their struggles and hopes for their future. Hearing the voices of these women in videos provided by Caritas Australia brings their plight closer to our shores and heightens a sense of personal responsibility to give them a hand up and, in doing so, their families and communities.

Ronita, in the Philippines
Ronita is a 22-year-old mother of two who has returned to school to complete her education with the help of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, securing a brighter future for her family.

Memory, in Malawi
Malawi was selected by local community leaders to be a candidate for a vocational skills course. She now works for one of Malawi’s largest power companies and is a role model and trailblazer for other young women.

Leaia in Samoa
Leaia is a mother of five children. She built her home herself by upcycling scrap building materials. Thanks to a new water tank, provided by Caritas, Leaia now has a consistent water supply and is better able to care for her children and regularly sends them to school.

Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia CEO, said, “During Lent, we are invited to take up the call to fast, pray and give alms. From natural disasters to widespread conflict, the events of the past year mean that many communities need your support. Supporting Project Compassion is a way for us to proclaim the faith that is in our hearts and help our sisters and brothers in need.”

This theme for Project Compassion in 2024 is again, “For All Future Generations” . It has been drawn from the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-20.

One day, Moses’ sheep wander off and he suddenly encounters a bush that is burning but not consumed. God tells Moses that he has heard the cry of his people. God responds to injustice and chooses Moses to speak to Pharaoh. Moses is scared but God promises ‘I will be with you.’ All the time, God remains a mystery. Moses wants more detail, so God simply says that this is the same God who has been longing for justice for the whole of history: ‘By this name I shall be invoked for all future generations.’

As God called Moses, so now God calls us to work ‘for all future generations.’

Those wanting to support Project Compassion can download resources or join a Mission in Action Webinar to learn more about Caritas Australia’s development programs at https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion

To donate, look out for the Project Compassion donation boxes and envelopes at your Church or school, visit the website, or call 1800 024 413 toll free.