Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday have seen the Magdalene Community prepare for and begin the season of Lent. Shrove Tuesday saw the annual Staff v Students Pancake Cook Off with both the staff and students fielding strong teams. In the end, there could be only one winner, and when the points were tallied up from the biggest, roundest and other cooking competitions the Students took out the challenge. Well done to all involved and to the Justice & Mercy Councillors, supported by Mr Collins and Mr Bubb for their leadership of this event. 

The cook off signaled the start of our efforts to support Project Compassion and the work of Caritas globally to reduce poverty and increase living conditions for the most vulnerable. Our College focus will be on the people of Nepal, Turkey and Syria who have been left vulnerable from earthquakes and other geographical and political events. The aim is to improve living standards in these countries by supporting recovery efforts and by providing access to the basics of clean water, safe shelter and education to both restore these communities and indeed to help them thrive. We are asking the community to dig deep and support Project compassion through coin and online donations throughout lent. Donations can be made via the Caritas Project Compassion - Magdalene College Page - https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/o/magdalene-catholic-college-narellan or via the daily collections in Pastoral Classes (everyday except Tuesday). Our aim is to encourage as many students and families as possible to donate a $1 or more to help us reach our goal of $10,000 this lent for Project Compassion.

Staff and Students were introduced to Project Compassion for 2023 at our Ash Wednesday Liturgy with staff and students learning about Laxmi, from Nepal and her story of overcoming adversity through education and the support of Caritas. The liturgy also provided an opportunity for staff and students to focus on the challenge of lent, as we prepare for the season of Easter, an important time for growth and renewal in the Catholic Church and an opportunity for all Catholics to consider how they might grow by focusing on how they can bring ‘good’ to the world and follow the example of Jesus in their daily lives. Thanks to the Musicians and the Liturgy team led by Mr O’Neill, Mr Sligar and Mr Collins for this reverent way to commence lent. 

Diocesan Project Compassion Launch

On Tuesday, Year Ten SRC Leaders Adelaide and Aaron, alongside Mr Collins the Youth Ministry Coordinator and our College Principal Mr Cloran, had the wonderful opportunity to spend the day at St Columbkille's Catholic Parish Primary School, Corrimal. Here we had the honour of attending the annual Diocesan Caritas Project Compassion Campaign launch, during which we had Bishop Brian lead us in Liturgy. Throughout the liturgy, it was encouraged to humbly provide support to those in less fortunate situations, such as the people in Syria and Turkey who are braving the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes. This year, the theme for Caritas Compassion Campaign is “For future generations,” our College will be contributing to this through the donation boxes that can be found in pastoral classrooms, as well as through other activities during lent. As it is lent, students should consider how they can help people in poorer scenarios.