Social Justice is a priority area at Holy Family School and a Catholic core value which we believe is essential to the growth and development of our parish school community. The impact of the Social Justice awareness throughout our school is ongoing and continually increasing. Our school community has become more aware and values the importance of social justice and providing opportunities for our students to participate in social justice activities.
Our Parish School involvement in the Philippine Partnership underpins our community support and forms a collaborative partnership with staff, students, parents and religious organizations. Our community is continually informed about the hardships encountered by the marginalized and how support through prayer and actions impacts as a faith community.
The Philippines Partnership raises funds for the Kazama Grameen Bank, which is the Columban’s micro-credit initiative. The micro-credits, which are common across the world in developing countries, allow Filipinos to start up a small business, usually based at home and commonly by women, and slowly move out of poverty.
The parish also works with Sr Kate O’Neill, who is province leader for Our Lady of the Missions in the Philippines. Sr Kate works with street boys, educating them and trying to reunite them with their families. The community has fund-raised to help Sr Kate grow her mission, and provide care to the street boys. One parish family, at its own expense, provided Sr Kate with a brand new kitchen.
The Philippines initiative is deeply entwined within the parish and school social justice mission.
Bell Park parish: A cluster of care
Holy Family fosters a strong commitment in making a difference with social justice issues both locally and globally. At a local level our relationships with community organizations such as St Vincent de Paul, Geelong Food Bank, Grace McKellar Aged Care, Adopt a Family and Australian Cancer Council continues to strengthen due to our communities positive actions through donating food, blankets and clothing – visiting and entertaining the elderly, donating money to charities through fund raising and supporting Fr Mick’s Mates.