Social Justice is the way we live out our lives as Disciples of Jesus. We are God’s hands in the world and must react accordingly.
Faith in Action is the way we live out our lives as disciples of Jesus. We are called to be God’s hands in the world and to respond to the needs of others with compassion, generosity, and love.
Our school’s strategic plan focuses on our ability to live as disciples of Jesus and to reach out to others within our parish, as well as in broader communities across Australia and around the world. Families and students are encouraged to be outward-looking as part of our Catholic identity, recognising the importance of serving others beyond our immediate community.
Our students are given many opportunities to actively express their deep commitment to Gospel values such as trust, acceptance, respect, compassion, responsibility, and service to others. These values guide how we treat one another and how we respond to those in need.
We are called by God to seek out ways to bring justice, dignity, and hope into the lives of all people, especially those who are vulnerable or experiencing hardship.
Caritas’ Project Compassion
Rice Day at Holy Family is when we experienced just a little of what the world’s poor and hungry go through each day. Students received a cup of rice to eat for lunch and donated the same amount of money it would normally take to buy their lunch.
Mary Mac’s Place
Mary Mac’s Place is a shelter that is open to anyone experiencing homelessness. In Australia, more than 116,000 people experience homelessness on any given night. Mary Mac’s Place supports over 3,000 people each year by providing a safe and welcoming environment for those in need.
The shelter costs more than $150,000 each year to operate and provides over 24,000 meals annually.
Our school also supports Mary Mac’s Place by:
- Participating in a School Sleepout each year to raise awareness of homelessness.
- Taking part in the Broken Bay Diocesan Appeal for Mary Mac’s Place.
- Students bring a gold coin donation for mufti day and all donations help to make a positive difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.
Catholic Mission
Our Service through Socktober empowered students to rise up for Ethiopia and take action against poverty through the game of soccer. Students were encouraged to not only think of what they were doing to help, but why they were doing it. They made a difference by raising funds just by kicking some goals!
During Mission Week, our focus inquiry question was What does it mean to make a Catholic response to issues around the world? The verse in the Bible compels us to reach out to those in need: “Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10). Students engaged in learning experiences to raise awareness about developing countries and to help them to think deeply about the significance of missionary works in their own lives. Their hearts were filled with love and compassion for those we supported. Students had the opportunity to create a “sockball”. We prayed and advocated for and financially supported children in need. Socktober compelled us to use our hands to take action.
St Vincent de Paul
Our school community gathers throughout the year to support the St Vincent de Paul Society, by raising funds, donating goods, and preparing food.
The work of Vinnies is important because it provides practical and immediate support to people experiencing hardship, including homelessness, poverty, and social isolation. By offering meals, essential supplies, and emergency assistance, Vinnies helps ensure that vulnerable individuals and families are cared for with dignity and respect.
Holy Family’s support for Vinnies includes:
- Donating Snack Packs across Sydney. Each pack contains a drink, and a savoury and sweet treat.
- Once a term, families gather to make sandwiches for Vinnies Van services.
- Supporting the Vinnies Breakfast Van once a month, to provide meals to people experiencing homelessness.
- The Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal is a yearly tradition at Holy Family. These hampers are lovingly prepared by our senior students, with donations gratefully received through the generosity of our whole school community. Students also bake and sell cakes at school, and the funds raised are used to purchase additional items for the hampers.
Through these initiatives, the Holy Family community continues to support the important work of the St Vincent de Paul Society and help those in need.
