The theme of Hope took centre stage at Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB’s recent 2025 LifeLink Day launch for Primary Schools.
The launch, on Wednesday 4 June at Newman Catholic College in Churchlands, MCee’d by Melissa Trolio from Catholic Education WA, brought together more than 350 primary school students and their educators from across the Archdiocese, gathering to celebrate this significant moment in community and faith-driven outreach.
Archbishop Costelloe was joined for the occasion by LifeLink Chair, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, who welcomed all those present with an opening prayer and introduced the a new informational video about LifeLink and its work.
In his address, Archbishop Costelloe emphasised the theme of hope, central to the Jubilee Year of 2025, designated by Pope Francis as a special time for reflection and spreading hope globally.
Archbishop Costelloe elaborated on the Pope’s call to all Catholics to become “Pilgrims of Hope,” urging attendees to actively embody hope within their local communities and beyond.
Archbishop Costelloe also spoke passionately about the symbolic significance of the Jubilee Door at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, which is opened only once every 25 years as a powerful emblem of renewal, hospitality, and hope.
He recounted his personal experience of recently passing through this “Door of Hope,” inviting students to metaphorically open the doors of their own hearts to others.
“We all need to know that we’re welcome,” Archbishop Costelloe said.
“We all need to know that we’re loved and cared for. We all need to know that who we are, as we are, is perfectly okay and acceptable.”
Archbishop Costelloe encouraged students to actively participate in LifeLink Day initiatives, illustrating his points with engaging images and parables, including the biblical story of Jesus feeding 5000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish.
He drew parallels between this story and the collective effort students could achieve through small acts of generosity, reassuring them, “Even if you feel you can’t do much, God can turn your contributions into something extraordinary.”
The now-retired Catholic Education Western Australia Executive Director Wayne Bull reinforced this message with a powerful anecdote, illustrating perseverance and collective effort.
Mr Bull narrated the story of an old man rescuing his donkey from a well, shovel by shovel, gradually filling the well with sand until the donkey could walk out.
Mr Bull emphasised this as a metaphor for the incremental efforts required by each student and school, noting, over the last 25 years, millions of dollars have been raised.
“Not by an individual student, not by a class, not by a school, but by all of our schools working together.”
He challenged students to actively engage with their schools in fundraising activities to support LifeLink’s diverse charitable efforts.
“It might seem overwhelming when you think of all the good works that LifeLink supports, but you can make a difference, one shovel full at a time.”
The launch event also showcased inspirational examples from schools already engaging in LifeLink Day activities. Mary’s Mount Primary School in Gooseberry Hill, for example, created a “Tree of Hope” with leaves bearing messages from students and parishioners, symbolising their collective commitment to hope.
Similarly, St Helena’s Catholic Primary School in Ellenbrook encouraged students to express their understanding of being “Pilgrims of Hope,” culminating in a vibrant photo mosaic reflecting their collective identity as a hopeful community.
Both Archbishop Costelloe and Mr Bull urged students to return to their schools filled with enthusiasm and practical ideas, ready to galvanise their communities into supportive action.
Archbishop Costelloe concluded by reinforcing the overarching message of LifeLink Day, encouraging each student “to have hearts that are wide open, so people can experience they’re loved and respected and cared for.”
This launch marked a vibrant beginning for LifeLink Day 2025, fostering a spirit of collaboration, generosity, and hope among primary schools in the Archdiocese of Perth.