NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and guest Father Dennis Espejo from the Philppines’ Diocese of Malolos launched at the NSW Parliament’s Dining Room last Monday 3 March Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion 2014 which is the organisation’s major fundraiser being held in Catholic schools and parishes around Australia The launch is for the diocese of Sydney.
Project Compassion is one of Australia’s largest humanitarian campaign. Last year, the appeal raised more than $11 million for Caritas Australia. Supporters in the New South Wales dioceses of Sydney, Parramatta and Broken Bay contributed $2.7 million towards this total.
Caritas Australia’s CEO, Paul O’Callaghan was also at the launch.
Separate launch for the diocese of Parramatta will be held t Terr Sancta college in Schofields.
Ding his two week visit, Fr Dennis will speak about his work with Caritas-supported emergency relief housing projects for Filipino communities vulnerable to flooding and natural disasters.
Carits Australia CEO Paul O’Callaghan said every dollar raised nd every person who participates in Project Compassion helps make a difference in the most vulnerable communities.”
“This year Caritas Australia celebrates 50 years of love, compassion ad support for the world’s poorest communities,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“In cities like Sydney, the generosity of the Australian community has made enormous difference to the marginalised globally. Support for Project Compassion helps to change lives, build sustainable livelihoods and provide healthcare, education and supportive, safe environment for all.”
This year Project Compassion celebrates its shared desire to live a full and beautiful life. For six weeks during lent, Caritas Australia will asks its supporters to walk alongside those lives that are threatened by poverty, conflict and injustice, and urges people to upjold Jeus’s commitment to life of abundance to every one.
Caritas is the Catholic Church’s International aid and development agency and the organisation work extensively in the Philippines both in emergencies and development programs.
Information about Caritas’ activities during Typhoon Haiyan are found on its website. Through its networks, Caritas is able to help some 95,000 families as part of the international Caritas network’s response