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.
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 hereif you would like to donate to our Emergency Action Fund to support vulnerable communities in Myanmar.
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
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.
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.
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
It’s been over two years since the military coup in Myanmar, where violence overpowered the democratically elected government. Peaceful protestors at the time were shot at and killed and thousands have been wrongly imprisoned. The crisis continues to escalate as women and children, especially those from ethnic minority groups, are targets of military raids and aerial assaults.
As more people are in desperate need, conditions become tougher. Millions are hungry and homeless. Even in the cities, power cuts, water shortages, roadblocks, internet shutdowns and security risks are daily realties.
Despite the circumstances, while most humanitarian organisations have been blocked by the military, our Jesuit partners continue working covertly, with great discretion, to bring comfort and relief to many communities.
Recently, the Jesuits assisted a community of religious sisters living in an area of extreme poverty and conflict to continue to give safe shelter to children in their hostel and allow them to go to school.
“Many children have been forced to drop out of school due to poverty. Our aim is to give practical support to displaced young people, particularly the girls who are in danger. At the moment, 85 children live at the convent so they can attend school. We supply beds and classrooms but we need help to pay the teachers salaries, provide daily meals and buy textbooks and stationery. We would also like to teach some music and sewing skills. We have sewing machines and teachers, but we are in need of some instruments and some fabric," said one of the religious sisters.
With your support our partners are bringing light and hope in Myanmar’s darkest period.
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle," said Pope Francis.
Your support of Jesuit Mission’s Emergency Action Fund allows Jesuits on the ground to deliver vital supplies where others would not dare to go.
The Jesuits in Myanmar are distributing food, medicine, tarpaulins and blankets to displaced people, and are funding micro-credit loans and livelihood grants to vulnerable families across the country.
“It can be difficult and even risky to reach some communities who suffer greatly, but we continue to walk with the people of Myanmar and nurture hope. We support many communities, but still with your support, a lot more can be done," said a Jesuit on the ground.
It's thanks to your support that our Jesuit partners can provide emergency assistance to communities in Myanmar that need it most. If you’d like to contribute to the Emergency Action Fund and support vulnerable communities in need around the world please click here.
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A nightmare in Ukraine opens Romanian hearts
Jesuit Mission CEO Helen Forde reflects on her recent experience of meeting Tamara, a Ukrainian refugee living in Bucharest, Romania.
It bubbles below the surface. It doesn’t take much to rise and overwhelm.
The pain and grief of war in this present day is beyond comprehension. Many believed the war would last just days or a few weeks and they would return home.
But, more than 12 months on, there is no end in sight to the devastation that plagues Ukraine.
On 20 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since the invasion, more than eight million people have fled Ukraine in search of safe and war free surroundings and an additional eight million people became displaced within the country.
It’s the most devastating event in Europe since World War II.
3.5 million Ukrainians have passed through Romania. Yet only, 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, mostly women, children, the elderly and people living with disabilities remain in Romania today. Their trauma of escaping the current war and conflict is now deeply etched in their psyche.
They remain separated from husbands, fathers, brothers and male family members. They long to be reunited and yearn to return to their home with peace. When, nobody knows?
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Romania, as part of the JRS Europe and Xavier Network humanitarian response, has assisted 10,000 Ukrainians with accommodation, cash, vouchers for food, psycho-social support, counselling, classes, medicine and activities that build skills, resilience and friendship. JRS Romania has offered more than 40,000 services to the Ukrainian community since the war started.
JRS provides learning activities to keep children actively engaged.
Classrooms have been established to ensure that Ukrainian refugee children don't miss out on receiving an education.
66 year-old Ukrainian woman, Tamara describes the experience as a ‘horrible fairy tale’. She escaped Ukraine with several family members - all of whom have since returned to Ukraine. Tamara remains alone in Bucharest now.
Tamara’s three adult children are in Ukraine. One of her sons is in the army – causing much anxiety and pain. Yet Tamara affirms they are presently all safe and well.
Tamara’s children believe Romania is a necessary safe haven for their mother. They fear their mother returning to Ukraine and living in her 16th floor Kyiv apartment, where there is only one hour of electricity each day. No hot water, no lifts, no heating … unimaginable circumstances before the war began.
Tamara constantly wrestles with returning to Ukraine. The heartbreaking sadness of life without her family is witnessed in her face and demeanour.
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Her disposition rouses when she raises her love of kangaroos.
“Is it true that there are five kangaroos for every person in Australia?" she asks curiously.
I laugh not really knowing the answer. Postscript: I educated myself – there are around two kangaroos per person in Australia.
From left - Kath, International Programs Manager of Jesuit Mission, Tamara and Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.
Tamara has a temporary protection permit. She receives support from the government (through the European Commission) which offers her financial assistance for rental accommodation. JRS Romania provides much needed counselling and socialisation through a range of activities like art therapy, meditation and stretch classes.
“Life is harder for older people here," says Tamara.
A nanny in her working life, Tamara now assists two Ukrainian families in Bucharest to help her pass the days and feel connected in relationship. Tamara is thankful to the Romanian community who have opened their arms and welcomed people like her to their country.
“They (JRS Romania) help me with everything and provide protection and friendship," says Tamara smiling.
JRS Romania has set up a Viber group for the older Ukrainians living in Bucharest. This group builds relationships, creates community and promotes connectedness.
Tamara touches her heart when referring to the Jesuit Mission supporters who have supported JRS Romania.
Jesuit Mission supporters have generously donated more than $1 million for the Ukraine crisis. We remain deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, compassion and solidarity of our Australian family of supporters and friends.
“I hope I can be a good teacher and a quality teacher that can make change for my country," says Jesuina, a 21-year-old scholarship student at the Jesuit-run teacher training institute, ISJB in Timor-Leste.
Instituto de São João de Brito (ISJB) was constructed adjacent to the Jesuit-run secondary school, Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (CSIL), in order to foster rich and authentic practical learning for trainee teachers.
The teacher training institute aims to form educational leaders who will in-turn spearhead the formation of future generations of Timorese.
“Like Nelson Mandela said, ‘education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.’ From education we can create more opportunity,” says Jesuina.
Studying English and English teaching at ISJB, Jesuina sees that the international language can help facilitate opportunity and growth for future generations of Timor-Leste, especially for those people living in the rural areas.
“For my practical experience I chose a public school in my hometown. I want to teach and empower marginalised communities there,” says Jesuina.
ISJB now educates over 460 students and is recognised as a leading teaching education institution - preparing knowledgeable, highly-skilled and ethical professionals who can provide leadership in education, especially in areas with the greatest need.
Jesuina with her friends at ISJB.
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As a CSIL graduate, Jesuina is part of the alumni program and is receiving a subsidiary for her studies. This has been transformational for her and her family as she has been able to ease the financial burden from her mother, who has been raising the family on her own since Jesuina’s father passed away.
“With the alumni allowance I can cover my basic needs, I can buy books and I can also support my mother and siblings if they need anything. Sometimes I use it for food and clothes and for my siblings’ education. We support each other,” says Jesuina.
Thanks to your support, young Timorese like Jesuina are the embodiment of hope and change in their home country. From being formed in the Jesuit ethos at ISJB to be ‘men and women for others,’ the students participate in regular community outreach and are choosing to support their communities in need.
Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Give a gift with the power to transform lives by supporting our Gifts for Change program.
This Mother’s Day you can choose from a range of gifts, including a bicycle for a child from a rural Cambodian village - a gift that could open a future filled with opportunities. Every child should have the right to a quality education and thanks to your generosity you can make this possible.
Gifts for Change are tax-deductible, and you will receive an instant e-card with your purchase to be shared with your loved one.
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Gifts for Change provide vital funds for Jesuit Mission partner programs around the world – including Xavier Jesuit School in Cambodia. The school was constructed in 2015 by the Jesuits in one of the most vulnerable regions in rural Cambodia to empower children out of a life of poverty and injustice.
Thanks to your compassionate support, the region is now home to four education projects, including a Community Learning Centre (for remedial and extra tuition for kids from local public schools), a primary school, a secondary school and senior school.
This Mother’s Day you can invest in a child’s future and help them to ride the wave of opportunity that quality education brings.
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