Compassion in Action

Evangelisation and Catechesis, along with Student Achievement is one of the two key priorities in the Towards 2025 Strategy. This workstream includes all activities associated with the Church’s universal mission to make present and announce Jesus Christ (Evangelisation) through an education in the faith (Catechesis) which includes Religious Education.

Members of this workstream work with schools in Broken Bay, supporting them with the creation of vibrant centres of faith and learning. Through formation activities, prayer and experiences of quality Religious Education students come to know, love and serve Christ in the world. The students at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic School, Chatswood have a very strong sense of social justice and a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves. Concerned older members of the community within care facilities might be feeling lonely without visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the school’s Year 5 leaders devised a new social justice initiative – letter writing.

Each week up to 40 students come together to write letters to the residents at The Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood and so far, over fifty letters have been written and sent.

“The children really enjoy participating in this initiative and knowing they are contributing to making someone’s day a little brighter and putting a smile on someone’s face,” said Principal Kirsty Thorpe.

“We are now excitedly awaiting to hear back from our new friends and hope to continue our letter-writing club well into the future.”

“I love how we get to make someone smile by writing a letter,” said Airley in Year 5. “It may not take much time, but it will make such a positive impact on someone’s life. I enjoy helping the younger children write their letters. I’ve learnt that even though the younger students at OLD have little bodies, they have such enormous hearts.”