Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton recently emphasised the important contribution of volunteers at the annual National Volunteers Week Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday 14 May. Coordinated in the Archdiocese of Perth by Catholic Social Services WA, National Volunteers Week is celebrated across Australia from 15 to 21 May.

Parishes across the Archdiocese were also invited to commemorate the occasion and acknowledge the volunteers who contribute to our community.

Bishop Sproxton highlighted in his tribute that this important work and contribution continues to be vital to helping those in our community who are so often overlooked.

“The time that they give, with quite some passion, greatly contributes to and adds value to community projects and the vision of good people ‘who see a need and do something about it’, as St Mary MacKillop would often say,” Bishop Sproxton said.

Speaking about his own experience of volunteers, Bishop Sproxton retold how when he was in primary school at Bayswater and Bedford, schools depended on the parents, firstly, to build the school by self-help and then, continue to develop the amenities needed for a more complete education of their children.

“Many of our primary and secondary schools were financed and even physically built by the fathers and mothers who gave up their weekends and weekday evenings for the sake of their children,” Bishop Don highlighted.

It is indeed an important message when in today’s world, so many people are too busy with their own lives to dedicate some efforts in a voluntary way to help others. I hope that its message not lost on our students as we continue to encourage them to help others.

Mr John Bormolini
Principal