Brigidine Sister Jacinta Rice from Horsham in Victoria says her journey as a consecrated religious has been “challenging and faith-filled” – a journey that has included a range of ministries, always underpinned by a commitment to social justice, especially for women, refugees and people living in regional areas.

Catholic Schools NSW honoured the important contribution of Religious women to school education and public life in Australia at its International Women’s Day Breakfast in Sydney this month.

Caritas Australia has launched Project Compassion 2025, its Lenten fundraising and awareness appeal which sees 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes across Australia take part each year, calling on the community to ‘Unite Against Poverty’.

It’s that time of the year when individuals, schools and large global businesses flick their light switches off for Earth Hour in an act of solidarity with all those who are committed to caring for our common home.

This Lent, as we share in the grace of the Jubilee Year, I would like to propose a few reflections on what it means to journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community, writes Pope Francis in his Lenten Message.