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Why not start a chicken farm this Father’s Day?

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Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift? Give a gift with the power to transform lives by supporting our Gifts for Change program.

This Father’s Day you can choose from a range of gifts, including helping a family living in poverty to start a chicken farm. For families in need, getting food on the table is a day-to-day struggle. A chicken farm will give them access to sustainable food, income and opportunity.

Thanks to your support, farmers in rural Cambodia are learning sustainable agricultural techniques such as the system of rice intensification method, sustainable livestock, and vegetable farming, plus the promotion of direct access to local markets.

With the help of a chicken farm, families can finally feel a sense of food security, engage better with their communities and can tackle unexpected costs as they appear.

"By raising chickens, families can reduce their reliance on others and enhance their financial autonomy,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission." said Ahmad.

Gifts for Change are tax-deductible, and you will receive an instant e-card with your purchase to be shared with your loved one.

Gifts for Change provides vital funds for a range of Jesuit Mission partner programs around the world – including providing hygiene kits to refugee families displaced by the war in Ukraine, providing a child with a bicycle to get to school, sign language classes for a hearing-impaired child and more.

This Father’s Day you can invest in someone’s future and help them to free themselves out of a life of poverty and injustice.

To browse our Gifts for Change eCards – click here visit our online shop.

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The countdown to the Bazaar begins

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In two weeks, Saturday 9 September, over 5,000 people in Sydney will enter the gates of Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview for the annual Jesuit Mission Bazaar.

The Bazaar is a day of fun, friendship and solidarity with rides, music, stalls, cakes, books, toys, wine auction and more, all to raise funds to support Jesuit Mission works with vulnerable communities around the world.

This community event began in 1952, to support the works of the early Australian Jesuit missionaries who were sent to Hazaribag, India, to uplift the marginalised and the outcast through education and social activism.

Fr Tony Herbert SJ, Australian Jesuit and Hazaribag missionary of over 40 years has advocated for the Dalits in Hazaribag, India, in across the board educational, health and social issues.

“Our mission, our living and our work, as far as I know, is entirely on income from Australia, and that came through Jesuit Mission. Key to this funding has been the tireless efforts from those back home involved in the Bazaar and the Maytime Fair. This funding has provided the gradual growth of infrastructure, and education, especially for women, and the incredible growth into two dioceses and our own Province," said Fr Tony.

Fr Tony arrived in India in 1965 and since then, his ministry has overseen the implementation of life-changing health and educational programs, the creation of women’s savings groups and human rights issues.

“My first impression was of crowds and blaring horns, of life on the footpath, of differences in language and culture, a place full of life and energy. In reality I was entering into an indigenous world, discovering the beauty and values of life there, finding a life reality stripped of its artificiality, but also seeing the hard reality of life without backups," said Fr Tony.

Now one of his main ministries is the Ankur project, which provides tuition centres for Dalit children and began in response to school closures during the COVID-19 lockdown. The project enables a local tutor in each village to provide tuition to village children, giving them the opportunity to continue their education and find a future path out of poverty.

Today Jesuit Mission has expanded its work beyond India, supporting programs in over 10 countries across Asia and Africa.

Funds raised at the Bazaar will support programs around the world that provide 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.

Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview has generously held this event since 1952.

“During my last two years at Riverview, 1958-1959 my allotted task at the Bazaar was to run a stall, the Balloon Barrage. I wasn’t too happy when the balloons burst and I had to give a prize, but nor were they when I suggested for the prize they take another three shots for free," said Fr Tony.

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“I picked up contact with the Bazaar again in much later years when I returned on leave from India. The most moving thing was to find my former school companions running a variety of stalls, and to get a glimpse of how much hard work they put into preparation and running it. Darcy Hall and his team ran the children's park, John Maguire the wine stall, in their numbers the DeCarvalhos and the Meaghers were all there in competition with one another as to how to get as much money from people as they could. Notable was Michael O’Dea and the Old Boys barbecue, which is still commemorated with a plaque on the Chapel wall, in Latin, ‘they cooked here lest they be cooked elsewhere’. There were also the unnamed volunteers in their dozens, the backbone of the whole program. It was all coins and raffle tickets and spinning wheels, but driving it all was a depth of commitment, they knew it was about something bigger and deeper." said Fr Tony.

Come join us on Saturday 9 September from 9am to 5pm at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview and together we can empower those living in poverty and injustice.

Click here for more information on the Bazaar, including purchasing ‘All Day Rides’ passes and raffle tickets.

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First Spiritual Exercises – Restoring Love

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Now says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you.

Isaiah 43:1-4

We pray that refugees like Ahmad in Indonesia, who has experienced so much hardship, experience the restoration of love and a bright future. We pray that his tailoring centre continues to provide a sense of belonging, psychosocial support to other refugees and builds a community of acceptance.

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1. Desire...I ask the Spirit for the Gift of Love

I hold a cross. I trace and feel the figure of Jesus on it, considering his life-giving love.

I touch his wounds and feel the touch of the Spirit on mine.

I read the prayer texts that we are precious and dearly loved by a personal God.

I ask the Spirit to be loved and loving when I most need it – even in the bleak times when love is denied and life itself may be at stake.

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2. Relish...Today I live in the loving Trinity

Now I imagine I am surrounded in a circle by the Loving Trinity, Father, Jesus and Spirit.

Each person addresses me by name, saying, ‘You are precious to me, I love you’.

Without knowing quite how this love will feel when I can barely love myself, or how I will feel loved when my situation is without much affection or tenderness, I sit humbly for a while in the mystery of the Loving Trinity and my desire.

I relish being loved.

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3. Love... I breathe in the Spirit of Love

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

I breathe it in deep, wait, then breathe it out to fill my life and all my relationships, and flow into those who have been denied love, or live a loveless life.

I repeat as desired – breathing, loved, loving.

I conclude with thanks, cross in hand, moving into daily life feeling I am truly loved.

PRAYER TIME: 10 minutes.

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Click here to download the prayer of Restoring Love.

The courage to flee war-torn Ukraine

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The theme for this year's Refugee Week, from 18 June to Saturday 24 June, was ‘Finding Freedom.’

Recently in our webinar ‘Hope for Families Fleeing Ukraine,’ we heard Anastasiia’s story of finding freedom, her difficult and brave journey fleeing the war in Ukraine to Romania with her 11-year-old son.

“On the first day (of the war) we heard bombing in our city in Odessa. I woke up and felt like I was in some movie. We stayed home and many of my friends were calling me and asking ‘can we come to your flat?’ They thought that it was safe near me. Of course my door was open for them and on that first day we only watched the news. We watched the news because we didn’t understand what was really happening," she says.

Soon after, a close friend recommended Anastasiia and her son should leave the country to find safety. Her friend suggested contacting a priest who would meet her at the border and connect her with others to cross the border.

“In one or two hours I packed all of our bags. I didn't even take all the necessary documents. I just had a jacket and some clothes," she says.

Since making that decision to flee, it’s been one year and four months for Anastasiia and her son, who remain in Romania today. Although they have been warmly welcomed by our project partner Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Romania and the local community, the process of leaving Ukraine and integrating into a new country has been a difficult journey.

“I left because I feared for my life and the life of my son. I saw how my son was scared. I heard bombs, I heard alarms and I decided we should go," says Anastasiia.

At 11 years old, her son was devastated separating from his grandmothers, who at the time stayed in Ukraine, and he developed a neurotic tick from the trauma of fleeing the war.

“I felt like I fled with a little child and in one year he has had to grow up too quickly. All children deserve a childhood," says Anastasiia.

At the JRS Romania Centre, Anastasiia’s son has received psychological assistance to help manage the tick he developed and to help him connect with fellow Ukrainian children.

JRS Romania is assisting thousands of Ukrainian children by offering educational services, psychological assistance and recreational activities for children aged 3-17.

“In over 16 months, we have assisted more than 22,000 refugees from Ukraine, from welcoming to protecting, from promoting to integrating them," says Fr Marius Talos SJ, Director of JRS Romania

Anastasiia herself has also received psychosocial and housing support and is now employed by JRS Romania to assist other Ukrainians in need.

*Webinar panelists - (From top left) Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission, Kath Rosic, International Programs Director, Anastasiia and Fr Marius Talos SJ, Director Jesuit Refugee Service Romania.*

“It was very difficult at first because I didn’t know Romania. I didn’t know the Romanian language, I didn’t have any friends here at the time. But we made this first step and we came into this beautiful country,” says Anastasiia

*Helen and Kath met with Anastasiia in Romania on their recent project-monitoring trip.*

Anastasiia mainly assists other Ukrainian refugees with translation, especially with medical appointments where Anastasiia will accompany them to the hospital and translate from English to Ukrainian.

“They feel bad not speaking English or Romanian, it's a very big problem. Romanian medical staff, they try to help you, but without a common language, it’s very difficult," says Anastasiia

Grateful to be safe and beginning a new life in Romania, Anastasiia and her son are moving forward and taking every opportunity they can get.

With her new job at JRS and her son being able to study, they are looking forward to brighter days ahead.

“Now I feel good because I have a great job and beautiful colleagues. I'm very happy because I'm supporting other refugees with JRS," she says.

Click here to hear Anastasiiia's story on our recent webinar 'Hope For Families Fleeing Ukraine'.

First Spiritual Exercises – Releasing Energy

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It was God’s purpose to reveal to his people how rich is the glory of this mystery among the gentiles; it is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we are proclaiming, admonishing and instructing everyone in all wisdom, to make everyone perfect in Christ.

And it is for this reason that I labour, striving with his energy which works in me mightily.

Colossians 1:27-29

We pray for the vulnerable people of Ukraine, may they encounter a release of spiritual energy to keep them moving forward. We pray that peace and hope reaches those who are suffering and for an end to the conflict.

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1. Desire...I ask the Spirit for Energy

I hold an object that symbolises spiritual energy for me.

I consider, 'Where is spiritual energy present in my life?’

'Where is spiritual energy absent in my life?’

‘What is the contrary of spiritual energy for me’?

I ask the Spirit for the gift of spiritual energy.

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2. Choice...Today I choose the Way of Spiritual Energy

I relish working with Christ's energy and power.

I reject the way of spiritual tepidity, total apathy, led by a bad spirit.

I turn and walk in the contrary direction, from sloth to energy to deep peace.

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3. Free... I live in the Energetic Trinity

I imagine I am in a circle surrounded by the Energetic Trinity, Father, Jesus and Spirit.

Each address me by name, saying, ‘My energy will work mightily in you'.

I rest for a moment, in God's boundless energy. I feel empowered and fully alive.

I conclude giving thanks for the Spirit of Energy.

PRAYER TIME: 10 minutes.

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Click here to download the prayer of Releasing Energy.

Hope in Myanmar’s Crisis

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We're so grateful for your support of our Emergency Action Fund. We would like to share a video update with you all from the field so that you can see your impact on the ground in Myanmar.

Since February 2021, over 1.8 million of our sisters and brothers have been displaced, forced into poverty and are living each day in extreme uncertainty.

Yet there is hope, the Jesuits continue to stand in solidarity with people in need, providing emergency assistance including food, shelter, medical supplies and education.

Click here if you would like to donate to our Emergency Action Fund to support vulnerable communities in Myanmar.

Bill and Pina walk over 750km for Jesuit Mission

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It is wonderful that you, our amazing supporters continue to find new and creative ways to fundraise for Jesuit Mission.

On 5 June, supporters Bill and Pina completed their incredible 750 km Camino from Le Puy en Velay to Saint Jean Pied De Port in France. A walk of approximately 20 kilometres per day over thiry-five days (with another 4 rest days).

Interested in walking in solidarity to support refugees, their main goal was to raise funds for Jesuit Mission’s outreach programs around the world. After years of planning and much training, they set out for France with a mission in mind.

“We were fundraising for Jesuit Mission to help others transform their lives. Any amount donated will make a real, tangible difference," said Bill and Pina.

Bill and Pina’s Camino in France was an adventure they’ll never forget, raising over $1,600 for vulnerable communities overseas.

“We walked, we talked, we met other pilgrims and sometimes shared chocolate and stories. We would come across chapels and churches, wander in to sit and pray and wonder how many others over the centuries had done the same. At the end of the day we sat with other pilgrims, shared a meal and wished each other ‘Bon Chemin’ (meaning ‘right path’ in French)," said Bill and Pina.

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This year we invite all of you to register for One Foot Raised, to take up your own challenge to raise funds for Jesuit Mission like Bill and Pina. You can walk, run, swim, host a barbecue, have a morning tea or more to raise funds for communities in need around the world. Blaze your own trail and take action for Jesuit Mission to help change lives!

“I’m truly grateful for our supporters who take great initiative to assist people in need around the world. Your commitment and support allows our Jesuit partners overseas to stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable," said Helen Forde CEO of Jesuit Mission.

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To find out more visit onefootraised.org.au or contact us via support@jesuitmission.org.au

First Spiritual Exercises – Keeping You Safe

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Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. I have become a stranger to my kindred, an alien to my mother’s children.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me. I am lowly and in pain; let your salvation, O God, protect me.

Psalm 69

We pray for an end to the conflict in Myanmar and the building of peace. That our Jesuit partners can continue to stand in solidarity with those most affected by the violence and bring light, hope and emergency assistance. We pray that the international community to turn their eyes once again on Myanmar and assist where possible.

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1. Desire...I ask the Spirit for the Gift of Safety

I take up a short piece of string, yarn, or cord, considering it a symbol of a lifeline. I hold one end, that is me, and the other end, that is the Spirit who keeps me safe.

I ask the Spirit for safety, for safe-keeping, for a life-line of help, that will never let me go – even in the most precarious or dangerous times.

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2. Relish...Today I live in the Safekeeping Trinity

Now I imagine I am surrounded in a circle by the Safekeeping Trinity. Each person addresses me by name saying, ‘Rest in safety. I will protect you.’

Without knowing how I can be or will remain safe, or how the Spirit’s lifeline will reach me, I rest for a while in the mystery of the Safekeeping Trinity and my desire.

I relish feeling safe.

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3. Free... I live in the Spirit of Safety

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

I breathe it in deep, wait, then breathe it out to meet my need and increase the safety of those who need it. I repeat as desired – breathing, safe, renewed.

I conclude giving thanks, lifeline circling my wrist, hopeful for greater safety in my life.

PRAYER TIME: 10 minutes.

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Click here to download the prayer of Keeping You Safe.

Webinar – Hope For Families Fleeing Ukraine

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Thank you for attending our Hope For Families Fleeing the Ukraine webinar yesterday, we hope you enjoyed it!

For those who missed out we are very pleased to be able to share the video with you all.

It was wonderful to hear from our Jesuit partner Fr Marius Talos SJ, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Romania and Anastasiia, who fled the war in Ukraine to Romania with her son.

Once again, we'd like to thank you for your ongoing support. Thanks to your generosity, our partnership with JRS Romania has assisted over 15,000 Ukrainian refugees in Romania since the outbreak of the war in February last year.

Thank you for supporting the Maytime Fair

Rain, hail or shine, thank you to all of our amazing supporters and volunteers who braved the elements and came to the Jesuit Mission Maytime Fair on Saturday 6 May.

There was entertainment for parents and children with a huge array of food, music, rides, arts and crafts, games, plant stalls, book stalls, a wine auction, sport, face painting, raffles, showbags and lots more.

“Above all there was a tangible sense of community spirit. Each year the Maytime Fair is a powerful reminder of the positive impact we can make together as one Jesuit family, serving our sisters and brothers in need around the world," said Helen Forde CEO of Jesuit Mission.

Schools, parishes, teachers, students and long-time supporters came together to uplift vulnerable communities in over 10 countries.

We are truly grateful for the commitment of you all, your year-round preparation and support on the day makes this wonderful event possible.

“There was a real sense of community coming together throughout the day. Fair goers arrived on foot or by the courtesy bus, shuttling from a nearby carpark. People came with enthusiasm, undaunted by early rain, streaming up the College’s circular drive," said Julian Butler SJ, chaplain at Xavier College.

A special thank you to Xavier College, who have been generously hosting the event on their school grounds for over 70 years, since 1952.

“We are at our best as a Jesuit Province, made up of vowed Jesuits, the ministries in our care and those who partner with us in our mission, when we recognise the ways in which we can work together out of our shared identity. We can be so much more than the sum of our parts if we share and collaborate as we seek to join together in the building of the Kingdom of God." – Fr Quyen Vu SJ, Provincial of the Australian Jesuits

See you all next year!