LifeLink Day 2018 was officially launched for Primary Schools on June 6 by the Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, and the Most Rev Donald Sproxton, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth and Chairman of LifeLink.

LifeLink agencies reach out to help more than 34,000 Western Australians in need each year.

“I’m delighted to report that collectively (since 1999), our Catholic primary and secondary schools have raised more than $1.8 million to support LifeLink Day, and every dollar has been directed to the service and care of people in need in the community,” Bishop Sproxton said.

Last year CEWA primary and secondary schools raised $127,280, exceeding the Archbishop’s fundraising goal.

Archbishop Costelloe announced the winners of the Spirit Awards from 2017. Rather than being based on how much money had been raised, the Spirit Awards are presented to schools that comprehensively embrace the goals of LifeLink Day.

Those schools that “Promote an ethos of caring and compassion to students, teachers, parents and the wider community that we all have a responsibility to show love and compassion… not just on LifeLink Day, but every day,” he said.

The Archbishop presented Spirit Awards to St Mary’s School, Merredin (Primary) and Seton Catholic College, Samson (Secondary).

Going forward from LifeLink Day, Archbishop Costelloe said the big question for students and teachers was: “what can I do, what do I need to do, to become a good shepherd, and what can we do, as a particular class, or year level, or whole school, to make our school a school full of good shepherds?”

“But it is not enough to talk about it – then you have to put it into practice.

“This is really what LifeLink is all about because it is one way, and an important way, of being a Good Shepherd to others.”

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