Shining a light on homelessness

During Homelessness Week 2026, CatholicCare Tasmania and the Archdiocese of Hobart worked together to light up churches in purple, the official colour of homelessness awareness.

From 3 to 9 August, St Mary’s Cathedral, Corpus Christi Church in Bellerive, and St Joseph’s Church in Hobart were illuminated in purple. Other public buildings and landmarks across Tasmania were also illuminated to mark the annual event.

According to CatholicCare Tasmania, this light-up event “aims to raise awareness of homelessness and show support for people in our community who do not have a safe, secure place to call home”.

The event also sought to highlight that “homelessness can affect people from all walks of life, including families, children, older people and those experiencing hardship or crisis”, and to “affirm the dignity and worth of every person and stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable”.