More than 180 students from 10 Catholic schools across the Diocese of Parramatta stepped into solidarity this Lent by taking part in Caritas Australia’s The Big Water Walk, a powerful initiative raising awareness and funds for communities in need of clean water.
Following the recent Project Compassion launch attended by over 200 students from Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD), the walks were held in early April across two key locations – Penrith and Parramatta – involving students from both primary and secondary schools.
The symbolic five-kilometre walk saw students carrying buckets of water to experience, in part, the daily challenge faced by people in developing communities, especially women, who walk long distances for clean water.
Hundreds of CSPD students and staff took part in two Walk with Water events in support of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Image: Stuart Matters/ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Walking in solidarity
The first event was held on Monday, 7 April 2025, at Yandhai Nepean Crossing in Penrith, where 51 students from St John’s Primary Riverstone, St Clare’s Catholic High School Hassall Grove, St Agnes Catholic High School Rooty Hill, Penola Catholic College Emu Plains, and Nagle College Blacktown, and St John’s Primary Riverstone participated.
Three days later, on Thursday 10 April, 135 students from Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill, St Paul the Apostle Primary School Winston Hills, St Andrews Primary Marayong, St Andrews College Marayong, and St Bernadette’s Primary School, Dundas Valley gathered to walk laps around Parramatta Park.
Both events were accompanied by CSPD Mission Partners, members of the Diocese’s Mission Enhancement Team, and representatives of Caritas Australia. Each school came together to raise funds and awareness for Caritas’ clean water projects across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
Ryan Reyes, CSPD Mission Partner, described water as “a gift from God that sustains all life.”
“When school groups walk in solidarity by participating in the Water Walk, they do more than raise awareness; they live out their faith in action,” Ryan said.
“Walking together in the Big Water Walk is more than a gesture – it’s a meaningful act of solidarity, compassion, and hope, grounded in the Gospel call to love and serve one another.”
Students participating in the Walk with Water event in support of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Image: Stuart Matters/ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Living Laudato Si’
The initiative reflects Pope Francis’ call to care for both people and planet:
“Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.”
— Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, Encyclical on Care for Our Common Home (2015)
James Atanasious from the Diocese’s Peace, Justice and Ecology team attended the Parramatta Walk and described the students’ participation as “deeply inspiring.”
“Through this walk, students not only raised awareness about the urgent need for clean water but lived out the call of Laudato Si’ to care for our common home and one another,” James said.
“Their compassion and action are a clear reflection of our Catholic faith in practice – recognising the dignity of every person and our shared responsibility to protect the gifts of creation.”
Voices of the students
For many students, The Big Water Walk left a lasting impact.
“It was pretty exhausting … There were some people [in the community] who were wondering what we were doing, and I explained that we’re doing a Walk with Water to show what women and children have to do in some countries just to find water.” – Jayden, St John’s Primary Riverstone.
“I like learning about this and being out here today to hopefully help women and children around the world get access to water. We should be really grateful to have clean water every day.” – Ishana, St John’s Primary Riverstone.
“I now know that with our support, Caritas can now provide new water tanks to some other people, so they don’t have to walk miles and miles just to get a bit of water.” – Lachlan, a primary student from St Bernadette’s Primary Dundas Valley.
“It feels warm inside knowing that doing this is helping others that are vulnerable. And it makes me feel how lucky we are, as like people in Australia, how we have easy access to anything we need.” – Abigail, St Bernadette’s Primary Dundas Valley.
“I think it was good because we got to put ourselves in other people’s shoes… God gave us a gift of water – it should be a human right.” – Ariana, St Paul the Apostle Primary Winston Hills.
“I just really understood how everything that has come into my life is really a blessing. And I should be thankful for it and not take anything for granted.” – Lachlan, a Year 10 student from Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill.
Image: Stuart Matters/ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
A lasting legacy
Each event concluded with a meaningful debrief and a water blessing led by CSPD Mission Partner Deacon Adrian Gomez, providing students an opportunity to reflect on the significance of water – from its role in the Book of Genesis to its central importance in the baptism of Jesus.
The Big Water Walk united students across the Diocese of Parramatta to support Caritas Australia’s Lenten Project Compassion campaign, especially their clean water initiatives. Through solidarity, awareness, and fundraising, the event highlighted the global need for clean water and the importance of living out faith through action. It was a powerful reminder of the Gospel’s call to love and serve others.
Image: Stuart Matters/ Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Toefuata’iga’s story
Leanne Langdon, Community Fundraising Manager at Caritas Australia attended the Big Water Walk and said the event tied into the story of Toefuata’iga – the face of Project Compassion 2025 – whose school in Samoa received a water tank to enable her education to continue undisrupted.
“All the children we spoke to really empathised with Toefuata’iga and were excited to know that their fundraising efforts would help people just like her get access to something as simple but life-changing as clean water.
“The whole event was very inspiring so we’re incredibly proud to have been a part of it, and grateful to those who put time and effort into organising it.”
Find out more about The Big Water Walk or donate, visit the Caritas Australia website.
View the photo gallery of both walks on Flickr.
