We will be celebrating the life of St Joseph as the “Husband” of Mary. In our School Liturgy we will be talking about the qualities that Joseph displayed as a husband to Mary, such as his willingness.

The organisation Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) invites us to consider how we can help eliminate slavery and child labour by making ethical choices when we buy our Easter chocolate.

ACRATH Executive Officer Christine Carolan says, “Much of our chocolate is made using cocoa beans harvested by children, often in the West African region. Many of these children are forced into labour. We can help change this.”

 This Easter Australians will buy and eat more than $200 million worth of chocolate. “The bitter truth about much of our Easter chocolate is that it comes at the price of a child’s education and health. About 80% of cocoa comes from West Africa and it is estimated that almost 2 million children are in child labour in these areas.” To make a change today:

We cannot ignore the fact that there is as much slavery in the world today, as there was before, or perhaps more – Pope Francis.

Can’t find slavery-free Easter eggs in your supermarket? Ten years ago there was almost no slavery-free chocolate in our supermarkets in Australia. Now, because of public pressure and consumer demands, most supermarkets will sell some. Thank you for contributing to the demand for slavery-free chocolate, but we have a long way to go.

Slavery-free chocolate is delicious and is no more expensive than other chocolate. Try ALDI, Haighs, and leading supermarkets.

Please remember that if you are putting together a fundraising chocolate raffle for your school, parish or workplace, make sure it only contains chocolate that is certified slavery-free.

For information on Slavery-free Easter chocolate and resources, go to:

https://acrath.org.au/take-action/slavery-free-easter/ 

• Buy only chocolate that is certified slavery-free and features one of the pictured logos
• Go to Take Action for a Slavery-free Easter for the ACRATH chocolate poster
• Tell at least one person about slavery-free chocolate and share some with them. They will discover how delicious it tastes.

The Sacramental Programme for Confirmation will begin with the Parent Meeting on Wednesday 24 March and Thursday 25 March, 2021 6.30pm in the St John Vianney Co-Cathedral, Fairy Meadow.

Parents/caregivers must attend either one of these meetings to enrol their children for the Confirmation Programme. Please bring a copy of your child’s Baptism Certificate. The cost for administration and materials for the Confirmation Programme is $40.