Project Compassion Launch 2019 

 What is Project Compassion?  Project Compassion is a annual fundraiser from Caritas Australia where millions of people come together to stop poverty and help poor people. The chairman of Caritas Australia is Bishop Greg O’Kelly. The Project Compassion launch for 2019 was held at Clontarf Aboriginal College on Shrove Tuesday, Tuesday 5 March. There were 32 Catholic Secondary and Primary Schools that attended the Project Compassion launch.  

Welcome to Country, Dances & Smoking Ceremony  We started off by being welcomed by the Principal of Clontarf Aboriginal College. Then we were led by an Aboriginal Elder saying the ‘Welcome to Country’. After that we were introduced to the dancers who performed to all the schools that attended ‘Project Compassion’. They started of with some dancing and some kind and friendly faces. Then we had the Smoking Ceremony. They said that is if the smoke follows you, you’ve been up to mischief.  

     

   Mass The mass was celebrated by Bishop Don Sproxton.The mass was held in a marquee on the grounds of Clontarf Aboriginal College. The college is a school for 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait students who come from all around Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia. The mass was a great way to begin the launch of Project Compassion.  

Shrove Tuesday  Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is chiefly marked by feasting and celebration before the 40 days of Lent. After Mass, all the people who attended, had pancakes, a juice box and fruit. We also had a laugh and sat and ate our yummy food on the grass.    

Giving 100% to lent  This year, Caritas Australia Project Compassion theme is based on giving Lent 100% in the name of hope. Hope helps us to face life’s challenges and sustains us as we work with those who most need our help.           

By Alexis, Jamie, Anthony, Tory and Ivy  Year 6 students of St Emilie’s School