NewsA Community of Communities

Central Zone Secondary Colleges and Cathedral Parish Primary Schools attended the 5.00pm Mass on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at St Patrick’s Cathedral to launch Project Compassion 2026 where they were commissioned as Caritas Ambassadors.

Through partnering with Caritas Australia, the school communities are committed to being people of hope, bringing Jesus’ message of compassion, dignity and concern for the poor into the world today.

Bishop Paul Bird celebrated Mass and blessed the communities represented who generously offered
themselves to promote this year’s PROJECT COMPASSION campaign to bring about a more just world for all future generations.

Caritas Australia calls us to Unite Against Poverty for Project Compassion 2026. The theme, Unite Against Poverty, calls to mind a poignant moment in John’s Gospel (Jn17.23) when, on the night before he died, Jesus prays that they may all be one. It is a prayer for unity, that his friends will stay together and work together to embody his mission, in which the marginalised are central.

As individuals we can help others, but when we come together though Project Compassion, our good becomes great. Our combined kindness grows. And when we unite with each other – and with people living in poverty – we can create BIG, lasting change.

Karen Staebler, part of the Community Partnerships Department at Caritas Australia gave the address. Read below:

Before getting started, I want to thank Bishop Paul for 14 years of service. Your support of Jillian, Caritas, and its mission has been a blessing.

Thank you, Jillian, for your ongoing support and commitment as our Diocesan Director here in Ballarat, and thank you to everyone for being here and giving me the opportunity to take a small moment to talk about Caritas Australia.

My name is Karen Staebler, and I’m part of the Community Partnerships Department at Caritas Australia — in simpler words, my role is working behind the scenes in the administration for Project Compassion and supporting diocesan needs across the country. Even though I only started four months ago, I’m not a stranger to Caritas. I have taken part in initiatives with Caritas Guatemala, which is my birth country (if you’ve picked up a different accent, there!). It is incredible to work for Caritas, where every day brings a new challenge. Purpose-led work is truly a privilege.

For those who may not know Caritas, Caritas Australia is the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. For over 60 years, Caritas has walked alongside the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Compassion is not only meaningful in times of peace; it is a lifeline for people and communities in need around the world. We are witnessing unprecedented levels of conflict, displacement, and hunger, and vital support is being withdrawn from communities already vulnerable and pushed to the margins. We know that in any crisis or conflict, those most at risk face even greater danger.

This year has been one of the most turbulent times in the international aid and funding landscape. Major USAID programs in the United States have been shut down, and humanitarian and development budgets across Europe and the UK have been reduced. Yet despite these challenges, Caritas continues to be a reliable partner, present on the ground when others can’t be. Whether in the ongoing crises in Ukraine, Gaza and the Holy Land, or the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, we remain committed to providing emergency assistance, aid, support, and hope.

Those who stand with us — who help raise the resources we depend on — enable our work to reach those who need us most. None of this would be possible without this support and the fundraising efforts we undertake throughout the year, especially through Project Compassion.

Last year, Project Compassion raised $10 million. In the last financial year, Caritas Australia was able to reach more than 2.3 million people through 100 projects across 30 countries.

Sisilia is one of many who have been impacted by these projects. She is a 13-year-old girl from remote Tanzania. After her father passed away when she was one year old, her mother raised her and her four siblings in a small, overcrowded home with poor ventilation and no toilet. For years, Sisilia walked 30 minutes each way to collect dirty water, causing frequent illness and making her late for school.

Thanks to Project Compassion and our partner, Sisilia’s school joined the A+ Successor Project. Clean water taps were installed, and Sisilia took part in the SWASH hygiene club, learning vital water and sanitation practices. The project also established a water point in her village, reducing her walk for water to just two minutes. With more time to study, Sisilia is now focused on her dream of becoming a pilot.

So…today, I am here to invite you to be part of our Project Compassion campaign for 2026. While the world gives us many reasons to stay indifferent and separate from one another, I truly believe that being part of something bigger than ourselves can change the world.

This year, we are offering a selection of fundraising initiatives that communities can get involved in to support Project Compassion.

• The BIG Water Walk (schools) brings the global water crisis into focus, giving schools the opportunity to learn about and walk in solidarity with the millions of people worldwide who walk long distances every day to access clean drinking water. What is this for? To raise awareness and make a donation. Invite your family, friends, and the whole community.

• The Long Walk for Water (non-schools) brings community groups together to take on a 40-day walking challenge to provide clean, safe water to vulnerable communities. What is this for? To raise awareness and make a donation. Invite your family, friends, and the whole community.

Be creative, join in, and truly let yourself be surprised by the goodness around you.

Thank you again for listening. I can’t wait to see how your generosity will transform someone else’s life.