Pupils hit purple patch for Project Compassion
By Wendy Shaw
A ‘Go Purple for Lent’ event at St Finn Barr’s Catholic Primary School at Invermay was a resounding success.
The students were among more than 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes across the country who supported Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraiser, Project Compassion.
Religious Education Coordinator, Wendy Rheinberger, was delighted with the response.
“This was the first time we have held a ‘Go Purple for Lent’ day in aid of raising awareness and funds for CARITAS and Project Compassion 2023,” Mrs Rheinberger said.
“Students and staff participated with much enthusiasm and excitement and we were so appreciative of the responses from our school community.
As a new member of the school community – I moved to Tasmania from Tamworth in January – I was most impressed with the way the students and staff embraced this initiative.”
Mrs Rheinberger explained that students and staff reflected on the Project Compassion campaign at several whole-school assemblies in first term.
They learnt about where funds are used and how donations benefit those less fortunate in Australia and around the world.
Student leaders attended a prayer liturgy at the beginning of Lent with fellow parishioners of the Launceston Catholic Parish at the Church of the Apostles, where they pledged to raising awareness and funds for those in need.
Students and staff were urged to wear a touch of purple for Go Purple for Lent, for a gold coin donation. Icy poles were also sold on the day.
Mrs Rheinberger thanked the students in the school’s Mission and Social Justice team, with help from Nagle Club, for their hard work.
Meanwhile, Caritas Australia CEO Kirsty Robertson has acknowledged the “generosity of heart” of schools and parishes across the country for their support of Project Compassion this year.
“Your kindness and generosity will help us to reach some of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities to face the challenges of poverty,” she said. “I can’t think of a better way to live out the spirit of Lent than that.”
Caritas Australia is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia.