Reach out at Christmas

Though commercialism has displaced many of the traditional Christian celebrations of Christmas, one of the enduring ideas is that, at this time of year, we reach out to help people in need. 

Across the College we will be collecting practical help for several different groups of people in need and you are invited to make a contribution of food and toiletries and/or a gift card which allows the recipients to have the dignity of choice. 

The Santa and Del Monte campuses are collecting basic non-perishable food for two agencies that support refugees: Jesuit Refugee Services and the House of Welcome. While refugees are waiting for the government to process their applications for asylum they are not permitted to work, and so they are dependent on the generosity of strangers. I wonder what the stress must be like not knowing where your next meal will be coming from – or how the  next nappy will appear. 

Gioia House is collecting for the Parish Pantry at St Paul’s, Burwood, which supports local people on minimum incomes. 

Mary Bailey House continues its long association with the Indigenous community and Sr Naomi Smith at the Baabayn Indigenous healing centre in Mt Druitt. 

Gift cards of course are welcome! If this kind of donation is your preference, please choose $25 or $50 multiples, rather than a larger single amount on a card, to be able to spread the joy around. 

Please refer to your campus list below for guidance about the most needed items. Send me an email with any questions (j.sulis@ssc.nsw.edu.au). (If you would like to be involved in delivering the food to either Parramatta or Granville we would love to hear from you!)

It is at this time of year when we celebrate his birth that I remember the words of Jesus: ‘Whatever you do for these, the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me’.

Jane Sulis
Outreach Coordinator