Catholic Mission’s Socktober campaign was launched last week Thursday 23 June, with 133 schools from across Australia already on board for the journey, and hundreds more expected to join.
The launch of the annual initiative, which uses the world game of soccer to encourage students in Catholic schools across Australia to kick goals for good, falls 100 days from the start of World Mission Month in October.
The national opening is complemented by diocesan events taking place around the country, including in Adelaide and Brisbane, while earlier this month, Perth launched their campaign with the inaugural Socktober-Scrosoppi Cup at Mercy College.
“With the stability of the school schedule a little more assured, it’s very exciting to be launching Socktober this year, knowing that students and their families around Australia can really give it their all for kids in need,” says Judith Nyamuli, the Youth & Schools Engagement Coordinator.
The action will largely take place in classrooms and at home later in Term 3 and term 4, as students engage with popular learning modules called Mission Packs, before celebrating Mission Week at the end of October.
“Socktober is all about that journey of engaging the heads, hearts and hands of our students in global mission,” Judith says. “The Mission Packs aim to deliver this, with links to scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, but also a series of goals that students can kick to raise crucial funds for mission projects.”
The funds raised through the Socktober program in 2022 will support families in Ethiopia facing malnutrition and food insecurity and seeking a better future for their children through education.
Judith says it is a cause everyone can advocate for. “Socktober is designed to be accessible to staff, students and families, and to make a fun and interactive experience out of the calling we share to positively change the world.”
Registrations are open now, while comprehensive resources, including the Mission Packs, will be made available to teachers and students in coming weeks.
For more information or to register, head to socktober.org.au or phone 08 6234 1763.