On Shrove Tuesday, February 16, students from Catholic schools across the metropolitan area gathered at AvÐÔ°® Christi College for the Perth Archdiocese launch of this year’s Project Compassion appeal. In a change from previous years, students and teachers from Years 6-12 in all four dioceses were able to join online.

The engaging event welcomed as special guests and celebrants: Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB; CEWA Deputy Executive Director Mr Wayne Bull and Deacon Paul Reid, the Community Participation Leader (WA & NT) at Caritas, the Catholic Church’s aid and development agency.

Held annually over the six weeks of Lent, Project Compassion raises awareness and funds to address poverty and promote justice across the world. Inspired by the St Oscar Romero quote ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’, the Project Compassion theme for 2021 is ‘Be more’. Archdiocesan parishioners and students are asked to focus on how we can ‘be more’ for our neighbours around the world – more kind, more green, more involved, more aware, more giving,

Elder Simon Forrest began the day with the Welcome to Country and a traditional Aboriginal smoke ceremony, the guests then attended Mass celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB. This was followed by a pancake morning tea and opportunity to meet other attendees.

The Lenten appeal included inspiring speeches from Deacon Paul Reid, Mr Wayne Bull and Mr Frank Italiano, who each called the Archdiocesan community to action.

The assembled students then participated in a justice-focused workshop introduced by Deacon Paul Reid, Kirsty Robertson and led by Bernice Sarpong, with the impact and reach of Project Compassion demonstrated by the case study of Jamila, a 22-year-old single mother living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. A Rohingya woman who fled the armed conflict in Myanmar, Jamila is one of 1.3million people who remain in the densely populated camps. Thanks to the generosity of Caritas supporters, Jamila has received access to emergency food and shelter, counselling, and programs to assist with parenting, health education and skills to help her earn a living.  

Students watched video materials and participated in a live Q&A, before breaking into groups to work through several questions focusing on Catholic Social Teaching (CST) principles. The dialogue and feedback demonstrated the kindness and thoughtfulness of the youth of today, with many great ideas as to how we can help people like Jamila who themselves are trying to ‘be more’ for their families and communities.

Money raised during the appeal goes towards Caritas Australia’s humanitarian and long-term development programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific, and with Australia’s First Peoples.

To learn more about Caritas Australia and Project Compassion, visit: