The last day of Term One was a whirlwind of action for students, parishioners and Clergy from across the Diocese, who answered the call to support Project Compassion – a beacon of hope for those facing poverty and adversity. The activities weren’t just about raising funds – they were also about understanding, solidarity, and making a real impact.

In Elmore, the students at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School took their Lenten program to the next level. After a “Pilgrims of Hope” themed Liturgy, students formed ‘family groups’ to construct makeshift shelters and experience one of the daily challenges faced by refugees forced to live in unstable and insecure housing. They didn’t just learn about adversity – they felt it!

Meanwhile, in Echuca, the annual Caritas Ks event turned the streets into a powerful display of compassion. St Joseph’s College students, St Mary’s parishioners, Fr Des Welladsen (retired Parish Priest) and Fr Novelito (Novie) Lim (current Parish Priest) walked to raise funds and awareness about the struggles of many people to access clean water, firewood, or safety. Carrying water buckets, firewood or a backpack for ten laps around the block, they discovered how easy it is to take water, firewood or safety for granted.

In Shepparton, the spirit of solidarity was alive and well as Assistant Priest Adi Indra joined St Brendan’s Primary School students in their walk for Project Compassion. This simple act of walking together raised both funds and awareness, making a real difference to those in need. The Walk is just one of the Project Compassion fundraising and awareness activities the school organised in Term One.

At Notre Dame College the “Project Compassion Cup”, a highly anticipated annual soccer match between staff and students took centre stage. Soccer may be the ‘world game’, but it was the students’ energy and passion that connected them to communities Caritas supports in countries such as Samoa, Cambodia, Nepal, Mozambique, where soccer is a simple yet powerful way to connect, de-stress and have fun.

Observing Project Compassion activities in schools and parishes in our Diocese, we see people walking with their hearts and we are reminded that the true gift of giving is found in a shared connection with those in need.

The lessons learned echo the words of Bishop Shane Mackinlay at the launch of Project Compassion on Shrove Tuesday. We are privileged, and with this privilege comes the responsibility to act. We are called to be pilgrims of hope – bringing light to the darkness and showing that even small actions can create lasting change. 

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