Weaving Threads of Connectedness

?Background

The 2008 Chapter of the Society of the Sacred Heart identified one of its priorities as further developing the relationships between its international communities. The 2008 Chapter stated that ‘we desire communities that are open to all, sharing life and faith, dreams and struggles, our goods and resources’. Moreover, it invited its members ‘to weave threads of connectedness, drawing on the richness and challenge of interpersonal, cultural, and ethnic diversities, in regions and provinces, and as an international Society’.

In 2015, in the spirit of the Chapter’s call to foster connectedness the communities of Sacré Cœur and Sophie’s Farm in Samar, Philippines formed an ongoing sister community partnership characterised by mutual understanding, co-operation and support. This statement of understanding cemented the on-going four year relationship between the two communities.

Objective

To increase Australian young people's international awarness of social issues. 

?Activities

1. Philippines immersion program

For the past two years, over the summer vacation period, fifteen recently graduated Year 12 students, (seven in 2014 and eight in 2015 Update) have engaged in a social action immersion program at Sophie’s Farm. The students worked at the Early Learning Centre, become involved with the pastoral ministry team at the local University, engaged in organic farming activities and assisted in other ventures centred at Sophie’s Farm, including the distribution the Shoes for Samar, backpacks donated so generously by the families of 'Joigny' Primary School and staff members.

2. Philippines visitor - Sr Lydia Collado RSCJ visit to Australian schools 

During the 2015 Sacred Heart Week, the school was privileged to have been visited by Sr Lydia Collado RSCJ, the program director at Sophie’s Farm. She spent a full week at school engaged in a series of presentations to the students, staff and the Alumnae, as well as visiting a number of classes. She described the work of the RSCJ with the impoverished local communities; stories of sadness, despair, happiness and hope. This was Sr Lydia’s second visit to the school.

3. Fundraising for Sophie's Farm

• Sacred Heart Week Mission Fête: monies raised from the annual Mission fete for the past two years have been directed to support the work at Sophie’s Farm.

• Staff Christmas Hamper:The money raised at the annual staff Christmas/End of School Year lunch on a hamper raffle was donated.

4. Shoes and Packpacks for Samar

'Joigny' families (Sacre Coeur primary school) and members of staff have provided backpacks filled with gifts, including pairs of shoes, clothing, toys and personal items for each of the children who attend the Sacred Heart Learning Centre in Samar and the local community. The backpacks were given to the children as a part of their Christmas celebrations. From 2011 to 2015 (Update) nearly four hundred backpacks have been donated.

People being served : Agents of transformation (Educators)

Age group : Adults 26-60, Children 0-17, Young people 18-25

Project status : Ongoing

Society presence : Australia/New Zealand

Focus of the project : People

JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed

UN Sustainable Development Goals : 17 Partnerships for the Goals, 4 Quality Education