Outstanding support for the Archbishop’s 2025 LifeLink Day Initiative was recognised recently with the Archbishop’s 2025 Spirit Award presented to John XXIII College in Mount Claremont (secondary schools award) and Mercy College in Koondoola (primary schools award).
LifeLink Chair and Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, said, while the Award structure formally recognises a secondary and primary school individually, it should be considered an acknowledgement of the whole school’s (K-12) participation in LifeLink Day 2025.
“Our sincere thanks to everyone at John XXIII College and Mercy College for your outstanding and generous support of LifeLink Day 2025 and, subsequently, your expression of love and compassion for our brothers and sisters in need who reach out to us for help,” Bishop Sproxton said, in a letter of congratulations to the schools.
“You are all most certainly ‘Pilgrims of Hope’,” he said in a letter of congratulations to the schools,” he continued.
At John XXIII College, the Award was presented as part of the College’s Opening whole School Mass on Thursday 19 February.
In his address to the College community, Bishop Sproxton said LifeLink Day for Catholic Schools was both an educational and fundraising initiative.
“Together, there is great strength and support (behind) the money that is raised to facilitate the work of those who are engaged in the care of people, who show empathy, and who look into the eyes of those who come to their service for their needs to be resolved,” he said.
“Thank you for your support of the work that we do in the diocese through LifeLink.
“Thank you for joining together to promote the spirit of Catholic faith in action, love, care, compassion, respect and dignity for all.
“We pray that the Lord will continue to help you as a community keep your eyes fixed on those who are in need and, through your participation in LifeLink, be part of the way in which we answer the needs that we observe in others.”
Principal Daniel Mahon said the College community strived to ‘walk the talk’ and, as such, was deeply honoured to accept the award.
“The integration of faith, learning and justice is deeply grounded in the culture of our college, as is the commitment of our students and staff in their concern for the poor and marginalised,” he added.
Meanwhile, at Mercy College, Bishop Sproxton reiterated what can be achieved when individuals and communities work together towards a common goal.
“We really can do wonderful things when we do it together. That’s something to remember – sometimes there are big problems in the world, and we don’t know what we can do to change that, but we can change it for the better by working together,” he told a packed assembly, Tuesday 24 February.
Reflecting on the qualities of gratitude and generosity, Bishop Sproxton said generosity lay at the heart of the Lenten season.
“There are many of us who have come to this country from other countries, and we feel welcome because of the generosity of people. That word generosity is what Lent is reminding us about when we look at all the good things that we have in our life here in Australia. We give thanks, but in a way, God is saying, can you be generous like I have been generous with you?” he said.
Drawing the parallel to the school’s involvement with LifeLink and the money raised, Bishop Sproxton said there were many people who were “living a little better” due to the generosity of the school community.
“The amazing thing is we don’t see (the people that we help), but we know they are there, and that’s enough reason for us to do what we do to support LifeLink,” he said.
“On behalf of the Archbishop, I’d like to thank you and encourage you to keep thinking about the people around us who perhaps need our help.
“There’s so much for us to be grateful for, and so I pray that this year will be a time for you to learn more about the good things (in life) and to think about how you can be generous yourselves, in helping others,” he concluded.
