Catholic Identity
Catholic Identity
Opening School Mass
St Anne’s College students, staff and Fr Peter celebrated the new school year with the opening Mass on Tuesday February 14 here at our beautiful College. Our students from the Schools of Wonder, Innovation and Possibility were active participants. We thank Chiara Villani, Charlie Guppy, Maddison Curtis, Zoe Van Maanenberg, Heli Chauhan, Millie Studd, Jaxan McDonald, Zander Corrigan and Eleina Mori for representing us as lectors, readers, and bringing up the offertory.
Shrove Tuesday
Students and staff were treated to pancakes on the Tuesday. Traditionally pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday prior to the season of Lent and fasting as it was the last opportunity for people to feast and use their leftover eggs, milk and sugar before they went off. Pancakes were one of the easiest ways to use up these ingredients. This year pancakes were cooked for students as a whole school celebration prior to the commencement of Lent. There were many sticky fingers and happy little and big faces at recess.
Ash Wednesday
While Ash Wednesday was a pupil free day this year for St Anne’s College students, staff had a day of professional learning. All staff gathered prior to the presentation by our guest speaker, and took part in our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. At the Liturgy we were introduced to this year’s Caritas Lenten theme – For all future generations – and reflected on a passage from Fratelli Tutti
“Only a gaze transformed by charity can enable the dignity of others to be recognized and, as a consequence, the poor to be acknowledged and valued in their dignity, respected in their identity and culture, and thus truly integrated into society” (Fratelli Tutti, 187).
As individuals and as a community we ask God who walks with us, be our guide this Lent. Sustain us in our fasting, inspire us in our praying, lead us in our giving. May we support the work of Caritas Australia, walking shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers around the world until all live life in fullness. We pray in the name of Christ.
Project Compassion
Our world, local, national and international, in recent times has been filled with emergencies and crises that many of us could never have imagined happening in our lifetime. For many vulnerable communities across the world, 2022 proved to be even more challenging and devastating than 2020 and 2021. Yet, despite everything we have endured in recent times, as one human family, we can continue to work to make the world a more just and better place for all. Each year, Project Compassion comes as a timely reminder of the importance of solidarity and how each single act of kindness – whether big or small, can make a life-changing impact in the lives of those who need it most. Each Pastoral Group will have a Project Compassion donation box where you are encouraged to donate. Sending coins to school for your child to place in the donations box is a great way to introduce children to the concept of donating to help others. If you prefer, donations can be made online using this link. www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion We thank you for your generosity.
- Elizabeth Holligan, Religious Education Leader
Ash Wednesday – 22 February 2023 (Week beginning Monday 20th February)
This week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal.
The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come.
By donating to Project Compassion, Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, can work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
Each Pastoral Group will receive a Project Compassion box for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: |
First Week of Lent (Week beginning Monday 27th February)
We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Laxmi, a 16-year-old girl living in a remote district in Nepal where almost half of the population live below the poverty line. Tragedy struck when Laxmi was ten and her father passed away. Her father worked hard to pay for his children's education and, after losing him, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty.
With the support of Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child's club at her school. She developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school.
Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child's club, mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school.
▶️ Watch Laxmi’s story here: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/laxmi-story-video
🙌 Support Project Compassion today: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion