Dear Families,

Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for this month centre around the thought, “Human dignity is the same for all human beings: when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own.”

Being able to live with dignity is a basic human need that we can sometimes take for granted. As I watch mothers with babies fleeing from Ukraine with a plastic bag containing their belongings, I wonder how are they going to care for them? They are not carrying a bulging pack of nappies, food, extra blankets. In fact, they are carrying very little. When will be the next time that their baby will have a bath, a warm bed to sleep in or a hot meal? What about themselves? When will be the next time that they go to sleep without having to fear shelling or fighting?

Sometimes as I watch the news, I can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of bad news stories. As the newsreader shifts from one story to the next, I often think, “Isn’t there any good news out there?” However, there are good news stories. Caritas Australia is already supporting Caritas Ukraine who are on the ground in Ukraine helping refugees who are fleeing and those who are choosing to stay, with food security, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, healthcare and education support.

Caritas supports communities around the world. It is not just giving money but working together on locally-led development programs, helping to forge a path out of poverty. On Ash Wednesday, as a school we promised:

We the community of Nativity School stand with our brothers and sisters around the world
who live in unfair conditions.
We promise to support Project Compassion this Lent, to share what we have
so that every member of the human family lives in peace with a future in which to hope.
Let’s help to give dignity to those who do have it. Let’s do this!

Blessings to all,
Sharyn Black
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission