POOR AND DISADVANTAGED REMEMBERED AT ANNUAL LIFELINK CHRISTMAS APPEAL LAUNCH
LifeLink Chair and Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton has last week Thursday 2 November welcomed some 120 parish priests, parish representatives and guests to a special liturgical service at St Mary’s Cathedral for the launch of the 2023 Archbishop’s Annual Christmas Appeal.
The annual event is an opportunity for the Bishops to thank all those who support and assist the Archbishop’s Annual Christmas Appeal each year.
Bishop Sproxton hosted the launch on behalf of Archbishop Costelloe who was returning from Rome following the conclusion of the First General Assembly of the Holy Father’s Synod on Synodality.
Speaking at the Appeal, Bishop Sproxton referred to the message of Pope Francis for World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis, who reminded Catholics around the world: ‘Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor’.
“This year, I know that many people are experiencing financial hardship,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“Every day, our LifeLink welfare agencies are responding to desperate calls from families unable to provide sufficient food or to pay electricity, water, or gas accounts, from single parents and victims of domestic violence unable to secure rental accommodation and forced to seek night-by-night accommodation or resort to living in their cars.
“As well as calls from the elderly who are making choices between turning on heating, buying food, or buying a much-needed prescription.”
Bishop Sproxton continued by saying that the 2022 appeal was a major success thanks to so many people digging deep and giving what they could to help our brothers and sisters in need.
“Together, we raised $ 686,288 which was above our appeal target. What a remarkable and generous outcome,” Bishop Sproxton said.
Bishop Sproxton explained that if we are to continue to answer these calls for help from the community, we must raise a minimum of $650,000 this Christmas.
“I ask each and every parishioner throughout this Archdiocese to continue in our shared mission of care to those who reach out to us for help. Let us turn our faces towards our brothers and sisters in need.”
In a special video launched for the appeal, Archbishop Costelloe emphasised the plight of the poor.
“The poor are persons. They have faces, stories, hearts, and souls. They are our brothers and sisters - it is important to enter into a personal relationship with each of them,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“Caring for the poor is more than simply a matter of a hasty handout.
“It calls for re-establishing the just, interpersonal relationships that poverty harms. In this way, not turning our face away from anyone who is poor leads us to enjoy the benefits of mercy and charity that give meaning and value to our entire Christian life, Pope Francis said.
LifeLink Chair and Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton has last week Thursday 2 November welcomed some 120 parish priests, parish representatives and guests to a special Liturgical Service at St Mary’s Cathedral for the launch of the 2023 Archbishop’s Annual Christmas Appeal. PHOTO: MICHELLE TAN.
NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR ‘PASSIONATE’ ADVOCATES OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Catholic Education Western Australia Director, Dr Debra Sayce has this week been announced the new Head of Mission Enhancement for the Archdiocese of Perth.
The Bishops of Western Australia have also appointed current Catholic Education Deputy Executive Director, Wayne Bull as the new Executive Director of CEWA Ltd for 2024.
In a statement published Wednesday 8 November from the Bishops of Western Australia – Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, who is Administrator, Bunbury Diocese, and Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey, who is Administrator, Diocese of Broome – announced that Dr Sayce, will conclude her appointment as Executive Director on 31 December 2023.
Dr Sayce has made a magnificent and enduring contribution to Catholic Education in Western Australia since 1994, the Bishops said.
“After beginning her career as a teacher, she was successively appointed to numerous roles, culminating in becoming the first lay person to be appointed by the bishops of Western Australia as the Director of Religious Education,”
Archbishop Costelloe and Bishop Morrissey highlighted.
In 2017, Dr Sayce was appointed as the Interim Executive Director and subsequently confirmed in the role in 2018.
“Dr Sayce’s passion for Catholic education and her personal commitment to enhancing a lived expression of the Church’s mission through Catholic education has made her an outstanding leader,”
Archbishop Costelloe and Bishop Morrisey continued.
“Dr Sayce has always clearly enunciated the wonderful gifts of a Catholic education for students and brought a distinctive witness to the Gospel values and theological teachings that underpin the Church’s ministry of education.
“Let us give thanks to Dr Sayce for her enduring legacy to Catholic education across the four dioceses of Western Australia and our nation,” they said.
The bishops of Western Australia have also this week announced the appointment of current Deputy Executive Director Wayne Bull to the position of Executive Director of CEWA Ltd for 2024.
A long-term contributor to CEWA, initially as a teacher, Mr Bull was appointed CEWA Deputy Executive Director in 2020.
Prior to this, Mr Bull held a number of senior leadership positions in various schools before advancing to school principalship in 2000.
In conjunction with Ms Eva Skira AM, Chair – Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia, the bishops of Western Australia will commence the consultation and recruitment process for the next Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia Limited during 2024, for appointment in 2025.
“We invite you to hold Dr Sayce, Mr Bull, as well as all those who actively place themselves at the service of enhancing the lives of young people, their families and our Catholic communities across Western Australia through Christcentered and child-focused learning communities that inspire all to actively live the Gospel in your prayers,” Archbishop Costelloe and Bishop Morrissey concluded.
Catholic Education Western Australia Director, Dr Debra Sayce has this week been announced the new Head of Mission Enhancement for the Archdiocese of Perth. PHOTO: RON TAN/ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH..
STRENGTHENING LIFE-GIVING WORK GLOBALLY: WORLD MISSION MONTH CELEBRATION
This World Mission Month has witnessed an exceptional flow of generosity, enabling missionaries to provide life-changing opportunities to many communities, families, and children around the world.
At the heart of this World Mission Month appeal was the story of Sr Carolina and the Venilale community in rural Timor-Leste, as they face many health challenges such as tuberculosis and malnutrition.
Sr Carolina, who recently visited Australia to meet with Catholic Mission friends and supporters, shared her reality of being a missionary at Maria Auxiliadora Clinic. Her story has resonated in many hearts, as her burning passion for Mission was shining as the driver that set her into action.
“Mission is where many people need you,” described Sr Carolina
when she talked about Mission.
The funds raised will help the Clinic keep running and provide vital medication to the people most in need. It will also help Sr Carolina to expand a recently established nutritional program, as many students lack knowledge in health education, leading to health issues.
“The support of Catholic Mission will continue to change the lives of many people in Timor-Leste for generations, especially in the area of education and health,” Sr Carolina said. “And to everyone who supports Catholic Mission I want to say thank you very much for everything.”
As we conclude World Mission Month on a high note, the flame burning in our hearts keeps shining, leading us to take action further to create a more just world, as many
missionaries need our support to provide local communities with life-changing opportunities.
To continue offering ways to support missionaries, Catholic Mission is launching Christmas Life-Giving Gifts, as it offers a tangible way to provide support to critical mission projects around the world and make a lasting impact for children, families, and communities in most need.
Through Catholic Mission’s LifeGiving Gift, you can purchase gift cards from many options to give and including special gifts to support Sr Carolina and her work in Venilale. Choose your gift now at catholicmission.org.au/gifts2020/ full-catalogue
Who will you share a Life-Giving Gift with this Christmas?
Sr Carolina, who recently visited Australia to meet with Catholic Mission friends and supporters, shared her reality of being a missionary at Maria Auxiliadora Clinic. Her story has resonated in many hearts, as her burning passion for Mission was shining as the driver that set her into action. PHOTO: SUPPLIED / CATHOLIC MISSION.
$1 MILLION ENDOWMENT FOR SIR FRANK LEDGER BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP
Thanks to a historic $1 million endowment from the Sir Frank Ledger Charitable Trust, high achieving students who are experience financial hardship will be able to follow their dreams of commencing a business degree at The University of Notre Dame.
Building on a long and valued partnership, the endowment of The Sir Frank Ledger Business Scholarship will assist students who are experiencing financial hardship to meet rising cost of living expenses such as food, rent, travel and university supplies for generations to come.
UNDA Chancellor Hon Chris Ellison said The Sir Frank Ledger Trust Business Scholarship will ensure that Sir Frank Ledgers commitment to recognition, excellence and equity
for Western Australian youth is fulfilled for generations to come.
“Together we will continue to widen the participation rate of high achieving rural and equity students studying at our Fremantle Campus,” Mr Ellison said.
Sir Frank Ledger Trust Chairman, Richard Basham said he hopes the support of the endowment fund will not only build a better life for the recipients, many of whom are first in their family to attend university, “It will help create a dynamic workforce, leaders of the future and will have a ripple effect as they inspire others in the communities in which they live and work,” Mr Basham said.
Business student Jye Connachan said he was honored to have been a recipient of the scholarship.
“It is great news to hear that future business students will have the same opportunities that I have through this scholarship,” he said.
“The scholarship has been an invaluable support throughout my educational journey, providing not only financial assistance but also a tremendous boost to my confidence and motivation. The scholarship has made an immeasurable difference in my life, and I can't thank everyone involved enough for their generous support”.
This generous $1 million endowment stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Sir Frank Ledger Trust Board, UNDA's dedicated leadership, and their shared vision of empowering students to excel in their academic pursuits.
UNDA Chancellor Hon Chris Ellison said The Sir Frank Ledger Trust Business Scholarship will ensure that Sir Frank Ledgers commitment to recognition, excellence and equity for Western Australian youth is fulfilled for generations to come. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/NOTRE DAME.