Dear Families,

I want to start off by saying a big thank you to you all for your donations for the Caritas Project Compassion. This year we raised: $$665.30. Thank you for giving generously!

It is now almost Winter and with that, as you know, come many life-threatening challenges for homeless people. Homelessness is that state in which people have no access to safe and secure shelter of a standard that does not damage their health, threaten their personal safety or further marginalise them through failing to provide either cooking facilities, or facilities that permit adequate personal hygiene (Neil and Fopp, 1992 – Homelessness in Australia: Causes and Consequences, p.8). People working in the homelessness sector often say ‘people experiencing homelessness’ instead of ‘the homeless’ or ‘homeless people’.  This is because for most people homelessness is an experience (often short term) not a life sentence. Saying ‘experiencing homelessness’ is one of the first steps to changing the perception of homelessness.

The statistics for this year are staggering: there are 7,428 people in South Australia experiencing homelessness. (2021 ABS Census). This is a 19.3% increase since the 2016 Census.

As a Catholic Community built on Mary MacKillop’s words: “In all things: Charity” we always rise to the challenge. This term we teamed up with Vinnies Australia to support Vinnies Winter Appeal. We are calling for basic, non-perishable items to be donated. Thank you to all those who have already answered our call.

Change to Monday Morning Prayer

As of Week 9, we will be moving our whole-school prayer to TUESDAY AFTERNOON so that families and friends can once again join us. So, please put this in your calendars: every Tuesday 2:45pm at Our Lady of Dolours Church. Students will have their bags packed so that after prayer, they just need to go back to their class and collect their belongings before leaving. We look forward to seeing you there!

Blessings,

Christine Farrugia | APRIM