ST Bernardine’s School at Regents Park south of Brisbane has solved the puzzle to building onto its previous Caritas Lenten appeal successes – a jigsaw.
The school created 50 large jigsaw pieces that would eventually cover a drawing of a Manila dump scene, complete with families living and collecting on the rubbish dump.
Assistant principal for religious education Damian Gambley said students and parents who attended one of eight liturgies witnessed the original dump scene on Ash Wednesday on February 6.
“As was explained to students that day, our Lenten challenge this year (was) to transform this down-and-out dump scene into a scenic, fresh, life-giving scene by buying pieces of the puzzle that (were) placed on top of the dump scene to create the new scene,” he said.
The 50 pieces of the puzzle each cost $40.
“Over the season of Lent we not only raised enough to complete our puzzle but we also raised an additional $500, topping $2500,” Mr Gambley said.
He said hand-in-hand with the fundraising was also a commitment to educating students and families about Caritas and the work it does in Australia and overseas.
“Our aim was for students to realise that we could all do something to make the world a better place for all people.”
Mr Gambley said students were encouraged to do additional work around the home to earn money for the appeal.
“They did tasks like emptying out the dishwasher, making their beds, cleaning the house or hanging out washing.”
Most archdiocesan schools were like St Bernardine’s in supporting this year’s Project Compassion, raising money to help others less fortunate here in Australia and overseas.
Caritas representatives are visiting schools, thanking them for their support during such an early Lent, collecting money and encouraging everyone to send in their donations as soon as possible.
They will inform all schools in the archdiocese of the total collected as soon as all donations are finalised.
