2025 Official Launch of the Archbishop’s LifeLink Day for Primary Schools
Wednesday 4 June 2025
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB and Auxiliary Bishop and Chair, LifeLink Executive, Donald Sproxton, warmly welcomed approximately 400 principals, teachers and students’ representatives from 69 primary schools from across the Archdiocese of Perth to the “2025 Official Launch of Archbishop’s LifeLink Day for Primary Schools”.
This annual event was generously hosted by Newman College. On arrival, guests were greeted by the big smiles of the College’s Year 6 Student Leaders – Jessica Terry, Alexandra Simpson, Samantha Glyde, Stella Parrelli, Emily Siew, Dylan Di Lello, Charlie Edwards, Krishav Gondariya and Leo Atkinson.
In his Welcome Address and Acknowledgement of Country, Mr Michael Chiera, Vice Principal, Newman College, (representing Mr Andrew Watson, Principal, Newman College) welcomed the school representatives attending the launch as well as special guests from Catholic Education WA, The Archdiocese of Perth and the local parish.
Special guests included- Rev Fr Kazimierz Stuglik, Parish Priest, Floreat/Wembley, Mr Wayne Bull, Executive Director, CEWA, Mrs Annette Morey, Deputy Executive Director, CEWA, Mr Daniel Lynch, Executive Director, Office of the Archbishop, Rev Mark Powell, Director, Religious Education, CEWA, Mrs Diana Alteri, Coordinator, Formation for Mission, CEWA, Mrs Anna Fitzgerald, Head of Business Products & Development, CEWA, Dr Debra Sayce, Head, Mission Enhancement and Outreach – Archdiocesan Agencies, Ms Sarah Pagett, Acting Head of Primary, Newman College, Mr Stuart McClorey, Director of Mission & Catholic Identity, Newman.
As part of the new event format this year, Bishop Sproxton offered the PRAYERS & REFLECTION. He was assisted in this prayerful presentation by Mrs Jane Short, Primary Religious Education Coordinator, Newman College with Readings provided by some of the Year 6 Student Leaders.
Following this, Bishop Sproxton introduced a new video presentation entitled “Welcome to LifeLink” which provides an overview of the LifeLink organisation, the agencies it supports and the important work these agencies do in assisting our brothers and sisters in need within the community.
You may view this video here:
In his Address, Mr Wayne Bull, Executive Director, Catholic Education WA, said that through LifeLink Day, Catholic school students were afforded the opportunity of learning more about the needs of people in the community, and how our Church agencies, through LifeLink, respond to their needs. He acknowledged the support of the dedicated and passionate teachers and school support staff to providing environments where students can use their unique talents to live the Gospel.
The Archbishop’s theme for LifeLink Day for this year is “Celebrating the Year of Jubilee and calling on students to be Pilgrims of Hope”. In his main presentation, Archbishop Costelloe spoke to the students about what the Year of Jubilee was all about, and how it is important that not only recognise and celebrate those who are pilgrims of hope, but that we all should strive to be pilgrims of hope ourselves and how we can achieve this.
The Archbishop said, “My LifeLink Day activity this year celebrates ‘The Year of Jubilee’ and responds to the Church’s call to Catholics around the world to be Pilgrims of Hope to discover hope in the signs of the times that the Lord gives us. We need to recognise and celebrate the immense goodness present in our world”.
This year, a 40-minute special question time was held as part of the overall launch proceedings. Archbishop Costelloe invited students attending the launch to ask any questions they may have for him, Bishop Sproxton or Mr Bull.
This opportunity was readily accepted and embraced by the young people as you can see in the video produced of the launch:
The Archbishop offered words of thanks and officially closed the launch with a prayer and blessing. All guests then enjoyed a delicious morning tea before heading back to their individual schools.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the wonderful support and assistance offered by our much-valued partner, Catholic Education WA, in particular Mrs Diana Alteri and Melissa Trolio who served so admirably as the Master of Ceremony for this event.
Archbishop Cosetlloe SDB hopes that our primary and secondary schools will unite and collectively raise a minimum of $130,000 for LifeLink Day 2025. Schools may undertake any special fundraising activity it chooses between now and the end of the school year.
There is a great deal of information and helpful resources available on the LifeLink website to assist you with your school’s participation in LifeLink Day – please see these links.
A big thank you to all the schools and students who attend the launch. From the feedback we have received, it seems you enjoyed the event as much as the Archbishop and Bishop.
Thank you for your enduring and generous support of our LifeLink social service agencies.
