A huge thank you to all of our students, families and staff who have generously contributed to our recent collection in support of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Refugee Service and the St Vincent de Paul Society's Darlington Food Bank.
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the Carmel community, with an incredible number of donations collected to help individuals and families facing hardship within our local area. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a real difference to those in need.
Congratulations to St Cuthbert's House!
A special congratulations goes to St Cuthbert's House, who collected the highest number of donations during the appeal. Particular praise must go to students in forms J and P, who led the way with their fantastic efforts. Well done to everyone who contributed and supported the collection.
Living Our Values Through Service
We would also like to thank our wonderful Year 7 students, who dedicated part of their Virtues lessons to helping sort and pack the donations. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to put the values they have been learning about into practice, demonstrating compassion, generosity and service to others.
Our gratitude also extends to our dedicated SVP volunteers, including John Kilgour and his team, who will begin distributing the donations. Their quiet and committed service is a powerful example of faith in action and of supporting those most in need within our community.
Putting Faith Into Action
This collection serves as an important reminder of the challenges many individuals and families continue to face. For some, providing food and essential items for their household remains a daily struggle.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us through the Parable of the Wedding Banquet that everyone is welcome and that no one should be forgotten or excluded. As a college community, we are called to reflect that message through our actions by supporting and caring for others.
The words of St Teresa of Calcutta capture this beautifully:
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Every tin donated, every packet contributed and every act of generosity represents a small act of love that, together, can make a significant difference in someone's life.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in this wonderful effort. It is a powerful example of our college and parish communities working together, living out our values and helping others to truly Live Life to the Full.