Refugee sisters embrace life in Romania

Every year on 25 September is the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, a day where we are reminded to envision and action a more just and inclusive society.

To build a more inclusive future, we must stand in solidarity with migrants and refugees and recognise their unique gifts and skills.

As the war in Ukraine continues, our partner Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, with your support, is providing emergency assistance and opportunity to Ukrainian refugees as they cross the border.

This year JRS Europe has supported over 50,000 Ukrainian refugees in the first six months by mobilising support from offices across Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Macedonia, south east Europe as well as within Ukraine.  

Ukrainian refugee sisters Svetlana and Irina fled their homes near Odessa when war broke out in Ukraine and crossed into Romania with their children.

“At first (in Ukraine) the sirens were used for training…we really didn’t pay much attention. Then they told us that the situation was becoming serious…Then the tanks arrived and took position.” – Irina

Despite the initial challenges of arriving into a new country, where they didn’t know the language, with the support of JRS Romania, now these sisters are beginning to settle into their new life.

Their skills as previous educators in Ukraine was recognised by a JRS Romania volunteer, who invited them to work as teachers for Ukrainian children.

Now they are hired by JRS Romania to keep Ukrainian children engaged with learning and recreational activities.

“It is as if we are at home, we get up in the morning and we have to go to work. It is as if we have stability,” said Irina.

Prior to the war, Svetlana had never been outside of Ukraine before, making it even more difficult to leave her homeland.

“We started hearing in the news that children were dying and we made the decision to leave to save our children,” said Svetlana.

The Jesuits in Europe are ensuring that refugees are treated with dignity and they are going above and beyond in delivering both immediate and long term support for those in desperate need.  

Thanks to a partnership between Jesuit Mission Australia, the Xavier Network and JRS Europe, thousands of refugees fleeing Ukraine have received emergency shelter, food and essential items, psychosocial support, medical escorts, translation and accompaniment.  

“Everyone is welcoming us. Not once during this time have I felt or seen anything negative…even in the supermarket strangers want to help,” said Irina.

Click here to watch their story.

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer to be Ever Inclusive

Let us join together in the Prayer to be Ever Inclusive written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

Recently Kath, Willy and Zach from the Jesuit Mission team visited our Jesuit partners in Timor-Leste. This is the first time Jesuit Mission has been able to conduct a project-monitoring trip since the pandemic.

Here’s a picture summary of the project-monitoring trip.    

It was a great opportunity to witness the progress of the programs and see the impact on the rural communities we serve.  

We met with community leaders and Jesuit partners to discuss the future of these projects and how we can continue to best support their needs.   

The Jesuit Mission team received a very warm welcome from the people of Timor-Leste and it was amazing to see the wonderful work the Jesuits are doing for rural communities there.  

Thanks to your generosity, these projects provide hope and opportunity to marginalised people in Timor-Leste. 

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer to be Ever Inclusive

Let us join together in the Prayer to be Ever Inclusive written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

The education model of Xavier Learning Community (XLC) in Thailand is leading the way for other institutions to follow.

With an emphasis on social justice, XLC is an inclusive learning environment that welcomes and empowers university-age students from diverse ethnicities and cultures. Thanks to your generosity, this year XLC is educating 114 students from various indigenous groups including, Ahka, H’mong, Karen, Lanna and more.

“The institution attempts to provide a formation that allows these students to develop themselves fully and become ‘agents for change’ in the future,” writes Nopparat Ruankool SJ, (Fr Bee), previous Vice Rector of Administration at XLC, in his recently published article titled ‘A 'Learning Community' as a Social Justice Model for Catholic Education in Thailand.’

Run by the Jesuits in Thailand, XLC offers a bachelor’s degree in English with profession-based training, including eco-tourism and hospitality for students from vulnerable ‘Hill Tribes’ that often face stigma, discrimination and a lack of opportunity.  

XLC is transforming the lives of individuals, families and communities from disadvantaged backgrounds, as indigenous students in Thailand often lack access to a quality education.  

“To be able to provide a good formation, we accept students from different tribes and provinces … about 30–40 students per year. We also provide a qualitative space and time for students to develop themselves more holistically,” writes Fr Bee.

“Each day, the students share different activities together, such as, morning meditation, cooking, house-cleaning, sports, farming, social volunteering works, reflective sharing, and so on,” writes Fr Bee.

It is the spirit of a ‘learning community’ that forms XLC’s students in the Ignatian ethos to become leaders and inspire change in their communities.

Learning in community invites education both inside and outside the classroom, allowing the students at XLC to develop holistically through a formal education and their own local knowledge.

A single educational opportunity for these eager students has the power to change everything. Thanks to your generosity, you are a part of this transformation.

Click here if you would like to read Fr Bee’s recently published article on XLC titled ‘A 'Learning Community' as a Social Justice Model for Catholic Education in Thailand.'

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer of Insuring Equality

Let us join together in the Prayer of Insuring Equality written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

Thank you to the incredible generosity from the Sydney based Jesuit parish, St Canice, who has been a phenomenal supporter and companion to its sister Parish in Railaco, Timor-Leste since 2004.

During their recent St Ignatius Feast Day appeal, St Canice’s was able to reach a significant milestone of raising over $1 million for Railaco – thanks to 18 years of commitment and steadfast support from the St Canice’s community.

“St Canice community, thank you! You found us at our rock bottom and you lifted us by feeding our hungry, providing service for our sick, and providing education to our youth! Thank you and God bless you for following Him in the mission,” said Fr Bong Abad Santos SJ, who runs the mobile medical clinic in Railaco.

In 2004, then St Canice Parish priest Fr Steve Sinn SJ took a couple of parishioners to Railaco to see how they may support the Timorese people soon after they’d won their hard fought Independence, following 30 years of oppressive occupation by Indonesia. 

Since then there are three key projects in Railaco that are supported by both Jesuit Mission and St Canice’s to uplift the community – a feeding program which provides nutritional meals to children, the mobile medical clinic, and the education program through the Jesuit-run secondary school NOSSEF.

These three projects are assisting the people of Railaco with their basic needs and providing them with opportunities to break the cycle of poverty in their community.  

The generous nature of the relationship between St Canice’s, Jesuit Mission and Railaco is reciprocal, and this cultural exchange has resulted in a close partnership with our neighbours in Timor-Leste.

“Railaco is a reality. Railaco is our sister parish. All our lives are enriched by the work that is done in Railaco,” said Michael Musgrave, St Canice’s parishioner and this year’s recipient of a Companion’s Medal for his tireless efforts in raising awareness and seeking funds for Railaco.

Michael along with many other parishioners of St Canice’s have been fortunate enough to visit the projects in Railaco, each time receiving an incredibly warm welcome and eye-opening experience from the community there.

“I feel so warmed by witnessing such sense of community and love for one another. I have seen how the funds are being put into good use and with my heart I have felt what it means to the community. Every little bit goes a long way,” said Dan Elias, a St Canice’s parishioner who recently visited Railaco.

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer of Insuring Equality

Let us join together in the Prayer of Insuring Equality written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

Need to give the perfect gift for Father's Day?  

Click here to support our Gifts for Change program and receive an instant e-card for your purchase.

A $60 gift can provide food and shelter to people fleeing the crisis in the Ukraine and other crises around the world.

First Spiritual Exercises - Insuring-Equality

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Let us join together in the Prayer of Insuring Equality, written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

On Saturday 10 September, thousands of people in Sydney will enter the gates of Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview for the return of the Jesuit Mission Bazaar.

The Jesuit Mission Bazaar has been held at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview since 1952, raising funds to support the many educational and social outreach programs of Jesuit Mission overseas.

“For over 70 years this wonderful tradition of fundraising has supported marginalised communities around the world. I am delighted to be able to welcome you all back again to this year’s Bazaar,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission. 

After an absence of two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Bazaar will be back in full swing with rides, amusements and games for children of all ages as well as music, a huge array of food outlets stalls, plants, a second hand book stall, cakes and confectionery, raffles and lots more. 

All proceeds from the day go directly towards supporting at-risk communities across over 14 countries in Asia and Africa, including Cambodia, Timor-Leste, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malawi and more.

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“Our thanks go out to Saint Ignatius' College Riverview for generously hosting, to all the stall holders for their tireless efforts, to our friends from St Aloysius’ College, Kincoppal-Rose Bay and Loreto Kirribilli, parishes, members of the Jesuit community and our wonderful supporters,” said Maree Meagher, Jesuit Mission Bazaar Committee Chair.

Your attendance at the Bazaar will help fund life-changing teaching and education programs; provide essential services to refugees displaced by conflict; provide healthcare and livelihood training to vulnerable communities and provide emergency relief to those most affected by disasters.

You are invited to the Jesuit Mission Bazaar on Saturday 10 September at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview.

When: 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 10 September 2022 
Where: Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview, Tambourine Bay Rd, Lane Cove NSW 2066

Those people unable to attend the Bazaar can support vulnerable communities by purchasing a ticket in Jesuit Mission’s annual raffle at www.jesuitmission.org.au/raffle

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer of Insuring Equality

Let us join together in the Prayer of Insuring Equality written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

For Kee Awi, a student at the Jesuit-run Campion Institute in Yangon, Myanmar, learning English is breaking her family out of the cycle of poverty.

“I need to learn English to make my dreams possible. That’s why I’m attending Campion Institute, and I hope that I can make opportunities for my life, my family, and my country,” she said.

Due to decades of violence and oppression, many young people in Myanmar are not able to receive a quality education and lack employable skills.

Recently a combination of the violent military coup and COVID-19 has left devastating impacts on the country, forcing vulnerable ethnic minority groups into desperate living conditions.  

After fleeing their village to nearby safe zones, conflict continues to be right around the corner, prompting Kee Awi to move to Yangon to learn English, for the sake of her family.

“I have two younger brothers and one younger sister who are under 18, and they would be students of high school and elementary if the situation in my country was more stable. Now they are missing out on an education,” she said.

With a focus on service and social justice, the Campion Institute teaches students of all ethnicities and religions, while exemplifying Ignatian values.

Thanks to your compassionate support, the Campion Institute teaches young people English language skills and critical thinking to enable them to become future leaders and to transform their communities.

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer of Radical Transformation

Let us join together in the Prayer of Radical Transformation written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

Thanks to your generosity, another 650 people in Timor-Leste now have access to clean water!

Despite heavy rain, fog, a muddy and dangerous road, our project partner Jesuit Social Service (JSS) Timor-Leste, recently inaugurated a new water facility in Maubisse.

This water facility benefits three villages (over 230 households) in Hatufahe, Sarlala and Urahou. JSS provided the water pump and organised the local communities to work together and complete the facility themselves. 

After the inauguration of the new water facility, JSS also distributed school and hygienic materials to the local kindergarten and primary schools.

The Timor-Leste Water Project constructs new water supply systems in rural communities in Ermera and Liquica to ensure access to clean and safe water.

Clean, safe drinking water has been piped to many remote and mountainous communities so far which has provided direct and daily benefits to over 3,000 people.

The project includes a maintenance training component to ensure the infrastructure remains viable and to provide a variety of community development projects.

In Timor-Leste approximately a quarter of the population has little or no access to water and 40% live below the poverty line.

The burden of collecting water often falls to children, who have to walk up to five hours each day, carrying heavy containers of water.

For many children, this means they miss out on receiving an education.

Thanks to your compassionate support and the generosity of the South Australian collective-giving group, Pilgrims 100, children in these villages can focus on their studies.

In addition, these local communities can wash, bathe, grow fruit and vegetables, raise livestock and earn an income, with clean water right from their doorstep.

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer of Radical Transformation

Let us join together in the Prayer of Radical Transformation written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

This month’s eNews coincides with the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola on 31 July.

St Ignatius discerned a call to religious life, leaving his desire for fame and glory as a military leader behind to found, together with a small group of companions, the Society of Jesus, thus beginning their almost five-hundred-year commitment to walk with the marginalised.

To mark the end of the Ignatian Year (2021-2022), the annual ‘Ignatian Camino’—a pilgrimage for young adults, took place from 26 June to 3 July.

Led by Fr Sacha Bermudez-Goldman SJ and Danusia Kaska, the group of 15 young adults partnered with Jesuit Mission by signing up for our new supporter event One Foot Raised.

One Foot Raised challenges participants to walk and raise funds for Jesuit Mission’s overseas projects using a peer-to-peer online platform.

From following in the footsteps of the first Australian Jesuits, the group drove to South Australia and then walked 125km over six days (an average of 21km/day) from Gawler to Sevenhill, where they collectively raised over $2,400 for Jesuit Mission.

“The group walked together as a faith community, enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, reflected on daily themes and engaged in rich liturgies and sharing at the end of each day,” said Fr Sacha.

St Ignatius himself described the ideal leader as living with ‘one foot raised’, moving always into new lands and new cultures, ready to step forward and respond to human need and suffering in the world. 

We walk because Ignatius walked, we walk because Jesuit Missionaries walk alongside the marginalised and we walk because many children in Jesuit Mission supported schools walk long distances each day to gain a quality education.

Your participation in One Foot Raised can provide hope and opportunity to communities in desperate need. Walk in solidarity with the vulnerable communities we serve, who walk great distances to access education, water and healthcare.

If you would still like to donate or participate in One Foot Raised, sign up at onefootraised.org.au

First Spiritual Exercises - Prayer of Radical Transformation

Let us join together in the Prayer of Radical Transformation written by Fr Michael Hansen SJ, National Director of the First Spiritual Exercises Program.

On the evening of Friday 27^th May, 2022 Pilgrims 100 members and friends gathered at Inparrila, Adelaide to reconnect and be provided an update on their funded project for 2021-Providing clean and safe water supply for rural communities in Timor-Leste.

The Chair of the Pilgrims 100 Committee welcomed everyone. Special thanks also to Fr Peter Hosking who gave a very moving account of his time in East Timor around their independence and Father Chris Jenkins for all his support and how over $150,000 had been raised in the last 2 years to support Jesuit Mission projects.

Elizabeth Boylan Pilgrims 100 committee member introduced our guest speaker Bill Smith. Bill ave a powerful insight into his work as deputy co-prosecutor of the Extraordinary Chambers in Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) bringing to trial those most responsible for the war crimes committed under the Khmer Rougue regime between 1975-1979. Bill’s talk was entitled- Changing lives by not turning away.

Click here to read a summary of Bill's remarks. 

This was followed Jesuit Mission CEO Helen Forde, who provided a detailed update on the incredible impact Pilgrims 100 funding is having on the rural communities of Timor Leste through their “Safe water supply project” in which six water tanks have been installed.

Click here for photos.

In partnership with Jesuit Social Service- Timor-Leste (JSS-TL), the communities of Ainaro, Ermera and Liquica have successfully constructed a spring reservoir and spring catchment, installed water pumps, storage tanks and distribution pipelines benefiting over 600 people in each village (of which 30% are children).

Click here for Fr Julio Sosa SJ's video thanking Pilgrims 100 members.

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[sub_title color="#00b0b9"]Click here to join Pilgrims 100 now[break height="10"][/sub_title]

E: pilgrims100@jesuitmission.org.au