JUSTICE and SERVICE at St Mary’s

The life of our Catholic school is founded on the belief that every person is created in the image of God and is precious.  Our school motto and values call us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps in treating everyone with respect and dignity. As a Catholic community, we are called to reach out in compassion and service and work for a world where everyone is treated justly.

As part of our Religious Education Curriculum during the Catholic Mission Month of October, we raise awareness in our students about people and communities who experiencing injustice; and about people and communities who are actively answering Jesus’ call to ‘reach out and give life’. We are learning about poverty around the world and about how we can help make a difference. We are looking forward to our Socktober Day on 5 November (Please remember to collect and send in old socks, bubble wrap, plastic bags, Styrofoam, old Tshirts/light material clothing)

This week is Anti-Poverty Week (17-23 October), and our Years 3-6 students have been learning about the very real injustice of poverty in Australia.

The Poverty in Australia 2020 report found:

• In Australia, there are more than 3.24 million people living below the poverty line. That includes 774,000 children or more than 1 in 6.
• Many of those affected are living in deep poverty – on average $282 a week below the poverty line.

With the awareness that poverty exists in our very own country, and that those affected by it should be treated with respect and dignity, our students will make a more meaningful contribution to our upcoming St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal (reaching out to assisting men, women and children living in poverty in our communities).  

“Poverty exists. Poverty hurts us all. We can all do something about it.”

If more Australians have a greater understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and achievable solutions that can end it; there will be greater action taken to answer Jesus’ call to help end it.

Jesus asks us to:

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Welcome the stranger
• Care for the sick
• Visit the imprisoned

As we are all made in the image of God, whenever we do these things Jesus tells us, we do it for Him.

‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here,^[a] you also did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40