It warms our hearts to know the Sydney Catholic Schools family is once again pulling together to raise funds to help break the cycle of homelessness.

And this year, for the first time, dioceses from across all of NSW will be joining us in our quest to raise awareness and desperately needed funds for people sleeping rough in our midst.

On Friday 27 August our staff, students and their families from Sydney Catholic Schools and Catholic schools across the state will be holding a simultaneous family backyard sleepout and sit-out.

They will be sleeping – or spending time – outside as a family with nothing but a cardboard base, sleeping bag and a single small blanket to raise money for the lay Catholic organisation St Vincent de Paul Society, affectionately known as Vinnies.

Called FamilyWinterSleepout@Home, the Sydney Catholic Schools initiative is being led by our inspirational Family Educators and is bringing all our families together to gain a deeper understanding of the realities of homelessness, while encouraging greater empathy and kindness among our students.

It is a perfect time to pray together as a family for those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways, bus stations and on friend’s and family’s couches during these winter months, including those who have lost their jobs and some their homes during this harsh coronavirus pandemic.

During your sleepout or sit-out, families may also wish to direct their prayers to Saint Benedict Joseph Labre – the patron saint of the homeless and downtrodden, who wore the rags of a beggar and shared his food with the poor.

Please get behind this wonderful cause and donate.

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To donate, visit my.fundraise.vinniesnsw.org.au/fundraise-your-way/family-winter-sleepout-home-1. All …