The Archbishop’s 2024 Christmas Appeal for LifeLink makes it possible for us to send the message to our brothers and sisters, who are suffering, poor or disadvantaged that they are noticed, and we act with generosity because we see Christ in them, as we are called to do in every person.
These were the words of Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton in launching the Archbishop’s 2024 Christmas Appeal for LifeLink, Thursday 31 December at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Assisting Bishop Sproxton for the occasion was Director, Religious Education, Catholic Education Western Australia, Deacon Mark Powell.
In launching the Christmas Appeal, Archbishop Costelloe – who was in Rome for the Synod – encouraged Perth Catholics to be guided by Pope Francis’ launch of World Day of the Poor.
“Both our Christmas Appeal and World Day of the Poor are important events in the Church calendar – here locally, and globally, and have very similar goals,” Archbishop Costelloe explained.
“We can be guided and inspired in our charitable efforts here at home by the message Pope Francis will share with Catholics around the world,” he said.
The Holy Father, continued Archbishop Costelloe, urges us to reflect on this word and ‘read’ it on the faces and in the stories of the poor whom we encounter daily, ‘so that prayer can become a path of communion with them and a sharing in their suffering.’
“Pope Francis has highlighted that God knows the sufferings of His children because He is an attentive and caring Father,” explained Archbishop Costelloe.
“As a Father, He takes care of those who are most in need: the poor, the marginalised, the suffering and the forgotten. No one is excluded from His heart, for in His eyes, we are all poor and needy.”
As Chair of LifeLink, Bishop Sproxton said that the launch of the Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal provides the chance for us to be part of another act of recognition and solidarity with those most in need in our WA community.
“I am absolutely amazed at the response that is given by our Catholic parishes and schools each year to both LifeLink appeals,” Bishop Sproxton explained.
“And I am very grateful, as what we gather through the appeals enables us to continue supporting the people who struggle because of disadvantage to find acceptance and a place in our communities,” he said.
The Archbishop’s Christmas Appeal will be launched in parishes throughout the Archdiocese on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November 2024.
For more information or to donate, go to www.lifelink.com.au