Editorial 

Across Australia, the rising cost of living continues to be felt in ways that are both visible and hidden. Recent increases in fuel prices and interest rates have added further pressure on households, stretching budgets and deepening financial strain for many families. For some, this means difficult choices - between food and heating, or medication and other essentials.

The recent Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement, The Cost of Our Living: Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good, reminds us that these realities are not simply economic trends, but deeply human experiences - “not just economic statistics, but human stories of struggle and resilience.”

The scale of this challenge is significant. In 2025, more than one in three Australian households experienced food insecurity, with many skipping meals or relying on emergency relief. At the same time, over 70% of people reported that the cost of goods and services had outpaced their income, forcing difficult decisions about everyday living.

This year, guided by our core value of Justice – making the needs of the vulnerable paramount, we are invited to reflect on what this means in our own context. The statement calls us not only to understand these challenges, but to respond personally, collectively and courageously.

In our schools and community works, this invitation is lived in real and immediate ways: in supporting families under pressure, in creating inclusive and compassionate communities, and in recognising that vulnerability is not always visible.

Grounded in Catholic social teaching, the statement reminds us of the dignity of every person and the importance of the common good, calling us to ensure that those who are most vulnerable are given priority in our thinking and decision-making.

This is expressed not only in the support we offer, but in how we shape our communities and form our students. When young people learn to recognise dignity, respond with compassion and act with courage, they become people of justice in their own right.

The statement concludes with a powerful invitation to become “prophets of hope” - not only in what we say, but in what we do and the way we do it.

In a time of growing pressure and uncertainty, we are called to notice what may otherwise go unseen, to respond with compassion and integrity, and to ensure that the needs of the vulnerable are never an afterthought, but always a priority.

In doing so, we continue the legacy entrusted to us and contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

As we enter Holy Week, we are invited to pause and reflect on the enduring message of hope, compassion and new life at the heart of the Easter story. May this Easter be a time of blessing and renewal for you and your communities, and may the term break offer rest, joy and time to reconnect.

Nicole Mangelsdorf

Executive Director