FAITH MATTERS 

Walking Together Through Lent 

As a school community, we have now entered the sacred season of Lent — a time in the Church’s year that invites us to pause, reflect, and re-orient our hearts toward prayer, generosity and compassion. Lent calls us to be more mindful of how we live, how we care for others, and how we respond to those most in need in our world. 

In this spirit, our annual Project Compassion appeal has begun. All homerooms have received a Project Compassion donation box, encouraging students and staff to contribute loose change as a simple but powerful act of solidarity. Through this collective effort, we join with Caritas Australia in supporting vulnerable communities both here in Australia and across the globe. Each small act of generosity is a reminder that compassion, when lived consciously, has the power to transform lives. 

Recently, I also had the privilege of travelling to Hobart to attend a gathering of Directors of Faith and Mission from the South East cluster, hosted at Sacred Heart College as part of AJASS. It was a deeply enriching time of connection, reflection and shared learning. One particularly special aspect of the visit was the opportunity to learn more about the story of St Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph in Tasmania, as well as the Tasmanian story of Julian Tenison Woods. These stories continue to inspire us — reminding us of courage, faith, and a deep commitment to serving those on the margins, even in challenging circumstances. 

As we journey through Lent together, may we continue to be shaped by these stories of hope and action, and may our prayer, generosity and compassion strengthen our commitment to living our faith in meaningful ways each day. 

A Lenten Prayer 

Loving God, 

As we journey through the season of Lent, 

slow our steps and soften our hearts. 

Help us to notice the needs of others 

and to respond with generosity, courage and compassion. 

Bless our Project Compassion efforts, 

that through small acts of giving

 we may bring hope, dignity and justice to those in need. 

May the stories of St Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods

continue to inspire us to live our faith with trust, humility and love. 

Guide our school community as we walk together, 

learning to see, to care, and to act with conscious compassion. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Jesus light of the world, guide us 

St Joseph, journey with us 

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us

Alison Wright

Director of Faith and Mission