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Rest in Peace Fr Bill Dwyer SJ (1930-2024).

With great sadness, we share the news of the passing of Fr William (Bill) Dwyer SJ (1930–2024).

Fr Bill entered the Society of Jesus on 2 February 1948, at Loyola College in Watsonia, Victoria.

After completing his novitiate and juniorate at the same college, he embarked on a lifelong mission to India in 1952, joining the second group of Australian Jesuits to serve there.

Fr Bill left a profound legacy, uplifting tribal communities through education and spiritual direction.

Jesuit Mission companions Fr Paul Horan SJ and Fr Tony Herbert SJ fondly remember their time with Fr Bill during language school in Allahabad.

"He was a good friend of mine. He was very warm and welcoming, sharing his experience and advice. Tony and I felt very supported. We all lived together in Allahabad for six months, and it was a very happy house,” says Fr Paul.

*Fr Bill Dwyer SJ, sitting (left) in 1952.*

"Later he became the Principal of St Xavier’s College. He spoke very high-class Hindi that often left native speakers raising their eyebrows in shock when speaking with him."

Fr Bill’s dedication to serving the people extended to learning the tribal language Oraon. Fr Paul witnessed Fr Bill’s first homily in Oraon during a Christmas Mass in Jharkhand, a moment of deep connection with the community.

Fr Bill went on to study for a PhD in Hindi, focusing on Kabir, a mystic and saint of Hinduism, who was also regarded as a Sufi by Muslims.

"Bill’s work and studies were very ecumenical, to bring Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity together. As an educator, he valued and recognised the importance of interfaith dialogue to better understand and connect with the local people," says Fr Paul.

In addition to his interfaith contributions, Fr Bill was a key spiritual director for many religious congregations, frequently visiting them even after retiring at 60.

Ancita D'Cunh, a supporter of Jesuit Mission, recalls visiting Fr Bill in Hazaribag.

"How gracious, considerate, and kind a man Bill was. I was humbled to see how he and the other Jesuits treat their staff at every level and each other," said Ancita.

"One of the nuns, Sr Valsa Mathews, was in a horrific accident but recovered amazingly thanks to the loving care of people like him. Bill helped her by supplying books in large print so that she didn’t have to hold them up, and he visited her often, encouraging her to get better,” said Ancita.

Fr Bill was near and dear to many of our supporters, serving as a Hazaribag missionary for many decades and as the Assistant Director of Jesuit Mission in Melbourne from 2007 to 2008, before returning to Hazaribag in 2009.

We keep him, his friends, and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace.

Click here to watch a video of Fr Bill reflecting on his experiences living in India, from the ABC Documentary 'Into India' made in 2016.

Click here to watch Fr Bill's funeral.

Fathers *Peter ColemanSJ, Paddy Meagher SJ, Bill Dwyer SJ, Phil Crotty SJ and Peter Jones SJ (left to right) at the Jesuit Mission Bazaar early 2000s.*

First Spiritual Exercises – Radical Transformation

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The hand of the Lord set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Then he said to me, prophesy, and say, I the Lord God, am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.

Ezekial 37:1-13

We pray for the radical transformation of opportunity for the women of Patra Kalan and all women in marginalised communities. May God’s grace empower them to break free from their past limitations and embrace a future of hope and purpose. Grant them courage, resilience, and the strength to inspire change within themselves, their families, and their communities.

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1. Desire...

I ask the Spirit for Transformation

I find and hold in each hand a stone and a living thing. I consider how God changes my stony heart into a heart of flesh, and how a new spirit, God's Spirit, finds a home in me. I remove the veil on my desires for transformation, from this to that, with a new freedom.

I ask the Spirit for help to be utterly transformed.

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2. Relish...

Today I live in the Transforming Trinity

I imagine I am surrounded by the Transforming Trinity. Father, Jesus and Spirit, address me by name, saying, ‘A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you?'

Even in a place or time where my past life has been destroyed or locked into poverty or injustice, I dare, with the help of the Spirit to seek transformation in my life. I ponder, for a while, my hoped for change in the mystery of the Transforming Trinity.

I relish being transformed.

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3. Befriend...

I breathe in the Spirit of Transformation

I imagine the Spirit of Transformation breathing freedom and hope, imagination and courage into me. I breathe them in deep, pause, then breathe them out into my life. I breathe them into all those desiring to make a new start in life after, or amid, great destruction, persecution, survival. I repeat as desired – breathing, freeing, transforming.

I conclude, with thanks, ready to take a first small step in my transformation.

PRAYER TIME: 10 minutes.

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Click here to download the Prayer of Radical Transformation.

Opening the doors with literacy

In the small village of Patra Kalan in India’s Hazaribag district, literacy rates among females are just 41%. For women from Dalit and tribal families, opportunities are even more limited. Without education, many girls are confined to domestic work, and societal norms discourage their schooling, leaving them vulnerable to early marriage and exploitation.

The Grihini Centre, supported by Jesuit Mission, is changing that narrative. This nine-month program offers education, life skills, and vocational training to empower young women with confidence, independence, and opportunities for a brighter future.

The program includes classes in Hindi, basic English, mathematics, tailoring, and household management. Participants engage in personal development workshops, play sports, and join cultural activities to build self-esteem. They also plant trees in their villages, embodying Care for Our Common Home.

Thanks to your support, 21 girls participated in the program this year:

100% improved their literacy skills, with 85% now reading and writing basic Hindi.
All learned tailoring and embroidery, enabling them to stitch traditional and modern garments.
15 girls participated in local sports tournaments, boosting their resilience and self-esteem.
All embraced personal hygiene and health education, showing a tangible transformation in their confidence and self-reliance.

Among these students is Meena, whose story highlights the program’s life-changing impact. Born into a low-caste family, Meena faced early marriage at 17 but defied expectations.

She fled her arranged marriage, worked briefly in a call centre under harsh conditions, and returned home determined to change her future.

An outreach educator introduced her to the Grihini Centre, where she embraced the opportunity to learn and grow. Meena excelled, passing her government school exams with 75% while tutoring others in her community. Today, she dreams of becoming a nurse.

"I’ve witnessed the struggle for nursing care in my locality. I want to help make a difference,” says Meena.

Meena’s story is a testament to your generosity. Thank you for transforming lives and empowering young women to uplift their communities.

Pilgrims 2024 Awards Evening

What a beautiful evening was had by all on the 7 November for our annual Awards evening. Many thanks to Michael and Deborah Boylan for so generously hosting us at their beautiful home.

The winning project for Pilgrims 100 support in 2025, is the Laos Water Project: bringing water to disadvantaged hill tribes in Laos.

Please see the photos from the evening below and click on each picture, to see individually.

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First Spiritual Exercises – Building Respect

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"Encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. We appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labour among you, esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.
See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit."

1 Thess 5:11-22

Thank you God for the strength of individuals living with a disability who inspire us daily. We ask for your comfort for those facing discrimination in rural communities. May your love break down barriers and foster understanding in families. Help us embrace the unique gifts of each person, and may all find dignity and joy in their lives. Amen.

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1. Desire...

I desire the gift of Respect.

I take my shoes off, placing them front of me, a sign of my respect for the sacred ground of this prayer. As I do this, I enter the presence of the Spirit of Respect.

Alternatively, I find a photo of someone who has really respected me, faults and all, and spend time recalling that event to immerse myself in the feeling of disrespect … With either symbol or friend, I consider how important this is in these belittling times.

I ask the Spirit for the gift of respect, to feel respected and to respect others, especially when my resources are stretched, challenges great, and I begin to put myself down.

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2. Rest...

Today I rest in the Respectful Trinity.

I read the prayer text. Now I imagine I am encircled by the Respectful Trinity, Father, Jesus and Spirit. Each addresses me by name, saying, ‘You are precious, I honour you.'
Without knowing how to give and receive in the chaos of an health epidemic, I rest humbly now, and reflectively throughout the whole day, in the Respectful Trinity.

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3. Respect...

I breathe in the Spirit of Respect

Then I imagine and feel the Spirit breathing the gift of Respect into me.

I breathe it in deep, then breathe it out into my bruised but loving heart, into health and emergency workers, and into places of care and refuge.
I repeat as desired – breathing, respected, renewed.

I conclude in thanks, considering two things. First, if possible, can I get in touch with the one who respected me so deeply, to reconnect. Second, to decide who I might pass this exercise on to, and how. Urgently, who needs healing respect now?

PRAYER TIME: 15 minutes.

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Click here to download the Prayer - Building Respect.

A path forward for families in Yangon

In the crowded and muddy slums of Yangon, many families face the harsh realities of discrimination and poverty. Without identity documents, securing a job is nearly impossible for some, trapping them in a cycle of hardship.

However, the Urban Poverty Alleviation Project, delivered in partnership with the Myanmar Jesuit Region, is providing relief for over 530 people this year in three crucial ways: building shelter for vulnerable families, offering microcredit loans to help individuals start businesses, and empowering them to become self-sufficient.

Ni Ni is overjoyed to expand her sewing business.

Ni Ni : Sewing a Brighter Future

"My name is Ni Ni (31) and I work as a seamstress while my husband is in construction. Together, we support our two children: four-year-old and five-month-old. Our family’s daily livelihood costs include essentials like food and electricity.” - Ni Ni.

"I dream of expanding my sewing business and selling clothes, but I lack the funds for investment. With a microcredit loan from the Urban Poverty Alleviation Project, I can now buy quality linen and improve the quality of my work. Through your support I aim to expand my business to turn my aspirations into reality and create a better future for my family.”

Than: A Legacy of Noodles

"I am Than (65) selling Shan noodle salad from my home. I support my family, which includes my 71-year-old mother and my 26-year-old daughter, who has just started working in a factory. Our household expenses remain high, with significant costs for electricity, food and other essentials.”

"My noodle business is vital for my family’s support, and I am determined to continue this legacy. With this support I believe my family's living conditions will improve significantly within the next five months.”

This year 500 people have benefitted from microcredit loans.

A new house to raise a grandchild!

"My name is Ohn I’m 68 years old and my wife is Tin & she is 55 years old. We have a beautiful grandchild. I recycle bottles & I sell to the plastic shop. Living with a disease, means I can only work 3 days a week. Our old house was very damaged and became dangerous to live in. This program has helped built a more stable space for us to live in. thank you!”

This year 14 houses were built for 14 families, benefitting a total of 55 people.

Breaking stigma

In rural Cambodia, individuals with intellectual disabilities often face significant discrimination and stigma. Shrey, a 17-year-old from a small village in Kampong Chhnang province, embodies the resilience of those impacted by this societal challenge.

As hard-working subsistence farmers, Shrey’s parents still struggled to make ends meet, frequently having insufficient food for her and her twin sister. While her sister flourished, Shrey faced severe developmental delays, both physically and intellectually, her struggles evident from just 15 months old.

"By age three, she couldn't roll, crawl, or walk and was often confined to bed. We didn’t know what to do,” said Shrey's mother.

Everything changed when, at five, she began receiving targeted support from our project partner Karuna Battambang Organisation (KBO).

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Jesuit Mission Australia has funded the ‘Enhancing the Lives of People Living with a Disability’ program since 2020.

The program operates across several provinces, providing vital services like vocational training, housing improvements, healthcare, and educational support.

With KBO’s assistance, Shrey learned to develop self-care skills and engage socially, gradually gaining the confidence to participate in her community. School, initially however, was a challenging environment where her classmates initially labelled Shrey by her disability rather than her name. Through education and awareness programs, attitudes in the classroom and community shifted, allowing Shrey to be included and respected, significantly boosting her confidence.

"Now with proper care and rehabilitation both at home and at school, Shrey is enjoying studying in Grade 10,” says her mother.

In 2024 alone, over 2,800 individuals benefited from the program, including 478 people living with disabilities. The program staff create and deliver Individual Development Plans for each participant and their families, focusing on their unique needs, which has resulted in significant achievements.

Notably, 91 school-aged students with intellectual disabilities were mainstreamed into public schools, and 325 children received home-based care.

Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, Shrey and many others are now on paths toward fulfilling lives. With enhanced living conditions, access to healthcare, and a supportive community, individuals living with disabilities can overcome barriers and thrive. Your contributions are creating real change, ensuring that all children live in dignity and can access life’s opportunities. Together, we celebrate Shrey’s progress, thank you for being a vital part of this journey.

*Shrey aged 5 in 2012 with a special needs teacher. Early intervention has helped Shrey become more indepedent.*

2024 Sydney Thanksgiving

Thank you to all of our amazing supporters and volunteers for your support this year!

Here are some photos from our Thanksgiving Mass and Supper in Sydney, held at St Aloysius' College on 24 October, thank you for joining.

Emergency Response in Lebanon

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Thanks to your generosity, we have activated the Emergency Action Fund to assist our local partner Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East & North Africa (JRS MENA) provide urgent relief efforts across the region.

The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is dire. Since 23 September 2024, Lebanon has faced widescale devastation following intensified bombings that have displaced over 1.2 million people. With over 10,000 attacks on Lebanon since the conflict began, over 2,400 lives have been lost, uprooting entire communities. Families are seeking shelter in temporary facilities, including Jesuit schools and Jesuit-run centres. The country’s ongoing economic crisis, combined with escalating violence, is severely affecting the lives of vulnerable families, especially women and children.

JRS continues to scale up its humanitarian response in Lebanon to address the urgent needs of those affected by the escalating conflict. Our teams are working tirelessly to provide essential services, including shelter, food, hygiene essentials and psycho-social support activities to vulnerable populations, particularly displaced persons.

Prices for essential goods and supplies have soared, increasing by more than 50% in some regions. Winter is fast approaching, and many displaced families are living in inadequate conditions, heightening the urgency for winter supplies.

JRS MENA, which has its head office in Beirut, mobilised emergency relief rapidly.

"Immediately in response to the escalation of violence here in Lebanon, JRS was in the shelters all throughout the country, assisting the displaced. It is with your support, your encouragement and, your solidarity that we are able to provide the essential services that are needed in the midst of a war,” said Fr Daniel Corrou SJ, Regional Director of JRS MENA.

Already over 10,700 displaced people have been reached with shelter, food baskets, hygiene kits, bedding materials, and providing essential winter kits to prepare displaced families living in shelters and on the streets for the harsh months ahead.

Additionally, JRS MENA is offering protection services, prioritising vulnerable individuals, and delivering psychosocial support for children and families dealing with the trauma of conflict and displacement.

"The Jesuit Church here in Downtown Beirut, was built 150 years ago and has always been a refuge, a place of welcome. We have 60 people here now. Whatever their background, whatever their nationality or religion, it is their home,” said Fr Daniel.

You can support the Jesuit network’s response in Lebanon by donating to our Emergency Action Fund to provide life-saving support to those affected by this crisis.

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First Spiritual Exercises – Carried By Friends

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Some men came, carrying a paralysed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.

When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins —“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

Luke 5:18-20, 24-26

We pray for farmers in Cambodia, that they may continue to work together in unity, uplifting one another as they nurture both their land and their communities. May they find strength in their shared efforts, and may their hands be blessed as they care for God's creation with hope and love.

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1. Desire...

I desire to help carry a friend.

I hold two cups, one full of water, one empty. Each cup is a friend. I pour water, life, from one cup into the other. When I pour it back again, the cups become a symbol of friendship. Each gives to the other. I repeat this as desired.

Alternatively, I find a photo of someone who was a friend to me in desperate times, and I spend a few minutes recalling that time to immerse myself in the feeling of true friendship… Whether symbol or friend, I consider how friendship can sustain life in the darkest places, on frightening journeys. Jesus poured out his life for his friends.

I ask the Spirit of Friendship to help me be a carry a friend. It may be at distance, by phone, giving what ever is needed. If needs are critical I need to act quickly.

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2. Rest...

Today I rest in the Trinity of Friends.

I read the prayer text. I imagine I am encircled by the Trinity of Friends, Father, Jesus and Spirit. Each addresses me by name, saying, ‘Rejoice, our friend who was lost is now found'.

When life threatening illness strips ordinary life away, friendship is life saving. But how can I befriend those who need to be carried a while? To discover the best way forward, I rest now, and reflectively throughout the whole day, in the Welcoming Trinity…

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3. Befriend...

I breathe in the Spirit of Friendship

I imagine and feel the Spirit of Friendship unfurling in me, releasing the love and practical help that reaches out in friendship. I breathe it in deep, wait, then breathe it out those who need a friend to carry them, one way or another, to urgent healing.

I repeat as desired – breathing, befriending, helping quickly …

I conclude in thanks, considering two things. First, if possible, can I get in touch with the one who befriended me so well, to reconnect.

Second, to decide who I might pass this exercise on to, and how. Who urgently needs to a friend now?

PRAYER TIME: 15 minutes.

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Click here to download the Prayer - Carried by Friends.