As we celebrate 75 years of Jesuit Mission, our hearts are full of gratitude for every supporter, volunteer, partner, Jesuit and friend who has journeyed with us over the years.
Throughout this special anniversary year, it has been a joy to come together to celebrate all we have achieved together.
Here we would like to share with you some wonderful comments from our supporters, and two stories from our community in Australia, whose generosity, faith and commitment continue to make our shared mission possible.
Memories from our community
Thank you to everyone who shared a memory in our recent supporter survey.
We’ve chosen just a small selection of the many reflections we received.
The flame that shaped generations
For Hugh Lachal, Jesuit Mission’s 75 year legacy of service is deeply personal. His Great-Great Uncle, Fr Lou Lachal SJ, lived in Hazaribag and became “a bit of folklore” in the family. Through stories passed down by his grandfather, Hugh came to understand both Fr Lou’s remarkable life and his legacy.
“I attribute much of who I am today to Father Lou,” Hugh says.
A Xavier College alumnus, Xavier’s motto, Sursum Corda (lift up your hearts), shaped the way Hugh sees the world. This idea of offering ourselves for something greater guided both his Jesuit education and his recent experience volunteering as a teacher in Thailand through the Cardoner Network.
Living in Dinkhaw village taught Hugh the “deeply relational nature of service,” and a generosity “which I will try to replicate for the rest of my life.”
The mission that was on fire in Lou has carried on through generations and many more to come.
Memories of the Maytime Fair
Reflections from Fr Andy Hamilton SJ
“I was a twelve-year-old from Kostka Hall at Xavier College. I do remember the sending of the first group of Australian Jesuits to India, among whom was Fr Phil McInerney SJ. I had spent two very happy years at Kostka where he was the gentle headmaster.
The sounds of the Maytime Fair remain with me more vividly than the sights: the buzzing of wall-to-wall raffle wheels, the shuffling of people fighting their way through the Hall, the spruikers at the wheels, and the Jesuit Parish food stalls talking up their groceries.
The Fair was most crowded in the evening, often until midnight, offering barbeques and other food and a dance in the Bellarmine Room.
I also remember the first car raffle, mainly because it was won by Fr Jim Collins SJ, one of the first Jesuits sent to India!
For me the Maytime Fair was part of a dramatic Jesuit world that I would later want to join.”
Find out more about our 75 years of faith in action
These stories comes from Reflections Winter 2026.
Contents include:
- A legacy continued, India
- Dreaming beyond borders, Myanmar
- A future once thought impossible, Cambodia
- Where seeds of hope take root, Timor-Leste
- Helping children find their voice, Myanmar
- Plus more from our 75th anniversary celebrations, including stories from long-time supporter sand volunteers
