This morning I should be in the Bendigo Mall with many of you launching Project Compassion. We first launched Project Compassion on Shrove Tuesday in Hargreaves Mall in 1999, so it’s a long-standing tradition. I’m sure after 22 years, many Bendigonians are, this morning, missing their annual pancakes. Thank you to all those who were coming to set up, to cook pancakes, to eat pancakes, to enjoy the entertainment, to be commissioned …

The silver lining in this cloud is that, although we missed the Public Launch, Bishop Shane and Fr Brian Boyle launched Project Compassion in a most meaningful way throughout the livestreamed Mass from St Kilian’s on Sunday. To hear Fr Brian’s homily linking Sunday’s scripture, Lent and Project Compassion, watch the Mass at on the Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Facebook page and at the end of Mass, you’ll hear about Project Compassion from Bishop Shane and the Project Compassion Icon Film.

And have you heard?

Instead of Lenten Visitors from Caritas partner countries as we’ve been accustomed to, Caritas Australia is, this year, offering what they are calling VIRTUAL IMMERSIONS where, via Zoom, you are able to learn, pray, reflect, discuss and interact with the people & Caritas partners in the Caritas weekly stories. You can participate in these as a Parish group or as an individual. Please see the Schedule of dates here and a Poster which has a live link. Note: the first one is Jamila’s Story on Tuesday 23 February.

To find out more and to book in to one of the many sessions, go to Project Compassion 2021 Virtual Immersions. 
For any questions, contact Kerry on 0408 579904.

I really encourage you all to support this great initiative and register for at least one of these events either as an individual or as a parish group.

Kery Stone