LEARN

St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar started the morning with Year 11 House Captains serving pancakes to students as part of their fundraising efforts for Caritas and to launch the Lenten season.

Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen, the creator of Tech Girls are Superheroes, visited the college to run a two-hour workshop for female students in Year 7 and 8. This was part of the ‘Entrepreneurship in a Day’ program through Hunter Regional Development. During the workshop the students brainstormed ideas for apps that could help solve a problem within their local community.

Meanwhile, the Year 7 students at St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul had family members visit heir classrooms to see all the hard work they have been doing so far this year.

SERVE

The day’s big event was the Catholic Schools Week Liturgy, held at Sacred Heart Cathedral. This year it was combined with the launch of Project Compassion and the 2019 theme.

This year’s theme encourages all to not only give 100% during the Lent season but to show compassion and love 100% and to 100% commit to learning, belonging and serving.

During the liturgy, stories were shared of those from around the world whose lives have been touched and aided by the work of Project Compassion.

“I am not just giving out Project Compassion boxes,” said Bishop Bill during the liturgy.

“I am commissioning you to take up Caritas’ Compassion Project and do all you can to stand together as members of the Body of Christ in your own community to offer hope to the most in need.

“This Lent I commission you to contemplate; pay attention to your relationship with God; be aware of God’s presence with you, of God’s love for you and the world.

“Pray; take to heart your responsibility as a baptised person to pray for others.

“Listen; to the Word of God and the stories Project Compassion offers each week of Lent.

“Act justly; in all your relationships and in your care for our earth.

“Be generous; Give as much as you can to the poor via the Project Compassion boxes I will give you. The stories help you know what a difference that money makes to our neighbours.

“And fast; go without – don’t consume so much; live more simply and also fast the things in your life that are unjust and that get in the way of your belonging, your learning and serving.”

Following the liturgy, school leaders and staff were welcomed by Bishop Bill to join him for Pancake Tuesday in the Victor Peters Suite.

In the Manning region, St Joseph’s Primary School, Wingham had a pancake breakfast along with open classrooms and a picnic lunch, with students bringing their own food to share around.

BELONG

St Columban’s Primary School, Mayfield were busy both morning and night with a liturgy, open classrooms and student-led school tours during the day and a Kindergarten 2020 Information Session in the evening.

Prospective families had the chance to meet staff and enjoy a tour of the school.

To find out more about CSW and the events held at your local school this week, click here.