Year in Review 2020 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 45 The theme of Project Compassion was “Go further together” and we certainly were called to go further together as the pandemic struck and Project Compassion morphed into the COVID-19 Appeal. Caritas Project Compassion “Go Further” St Joseph’s Primary School, Cobram – Caritas Ks Bucketathon Notre Dame College – ‘Push Up for a Hand Up’ St Joseph’s Primary School in Cobram did not let COVID-19 restrictions or bad weather stop them from holding their Caritas Ks event on the last day of Term Two, after a postponement of the original date. Undeterred by rain, the whole school carried buckets of water around the inside perimeter of the school in solidarity with those who walk, on average, six kilometres every day for water. A meaningful action at any time, but particularly when we were continually being reminded to wash our hands frequently with soap and water. Walking in solidarity with those who have no soap and only dirty water is truly kilometres for compassion. The launch of Project Compassion at Hargreaves Mall Bendigo drew a large crowd. Eight school choirs performed, so there were many parents and grandparents who created such a large crowd that the passers-by stopped as well! Cr Margaret O’Rourke, Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo set the scene perfectly identifying with the children as she told them that she went to Holy Rosary in White Hills and that’s where she got her first Project Compassion Box. Deputy Mayor Matt Emond also explained he went to St Kilian’s Primary in Bendigo, so also grown up with Caritas. Naturally there was a shoout out for both of them. The pancake chefs churned out over 1000 pancakes. And the roving teams from Catherine McAuley College Bendigo did a great job distributing pancakes far and wide. “They’re free if you take a brochure but we are accepting donations!” Notre Dame College Shepparton didn’t let isolation stop them from standing in solidarity with our global community. Instead of doing their usual Caritas Ks walk, they held a virtual event, ‘Push Up for a Hand Up’ – doing something tough for those who are doing it tough! Each student was encouraged to obtain sponsorship and send videos of themselves doing push-ups. The number of push-ups was tallied for each of the six Houses – recording over 35,000 push-ups! Throughout the event, School Captains hosted two hours of live-streamed entertainment including interviews with Caritas Australia CEO Kirsty Robertson, Bishop Shane and Kerry Stone, Sandhurst Caritas Coordinator – a wonderful display of leadership in action. SOCIAL JUSTICE Ms Kerry Stone Diocesan Coordinator Caritas/Justice Office
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