Jesuit Mission

Welcome

Welcome to Jesuit Mission. Through the pictures and stories here we hope that you may come to know more about our work for the poor in the developing world. Through your support and solidarity you can share in our mission of building bridges across religious, cultural and social divides.

As the Mission Director I am privileged to see first hand the wonderful work being done by Jesuit Mission and to convey to all of our overseas workers the encouragement and support of thousands of friends. In addition to our work in India we are also working in a number of other countries including Cambodia and East Timor, two of the poorest countries in the world, both of them ravaged by years of war. Read more from the Director >>>

Following Christ in Poverty

Fr Tony Herbert recently contributed a biographical note to the Social Justice Secretariat at the General Curia (in Rome), and the story of his 40-plus years in India is subtitled 'Finding God among those on the edges of humanity'. Read more from Tony's account of his ministry with the Dalit communities.

Hazaribag Jesuits kidnapped

Armed men kidnapped two Hazaribag Jesuits last month, holding them to ransom.

On 3 July, Fr Basil Lakra and Fr Primus Kerketta were abducted from the Jesuit Centre in Patra village, about 40 km south-west of Hazaribag in the state of Jharkhand, in northern India.

The kidnappers sent Fr Primus home with a note demanding one million rupees in ransom (approximately $25,000) for Fr Basil.

A Special Feast Day for Jesuit Mission

In celebration of St. Ignatius' Feast Day, the Jesuit Mission hosted a luncheon for its past and present volunteers on 31 July 2008. The day also marked the start of Fr. Steve Curtin's duties as Provincial of the Australian Jesuits. The former Jesuit Mission Director was present among JM volunteers and staff to celebrate a mass with Fr. Phil Crotty SJ, the current Jesuit Mission Director.

Changing of the Guard

Mark Raper posted to Manila

In a great demonstration of Jesuit availability to work across international boundaries in the service of Christ's mission, the Superior General of the Jesuits in Rome, Fr Adolfo Nicolas, has appointed our Australian Jesuit Provincial Fr Mark Raper to Manila to a job co-ordinating the mission of the Jesuits in our region as President of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania. Read more >>>

New Provincial

Fr. Steve Curtin SJ, will succeed Fr. Mark Raper SJ as Provincial of the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus on the Feast of St. Ignatius, 31 July 2008. Read more >>>

Cyclone Nargis in Burma

Millions of people were affected by category four Cyclone Nargis which crossed through the Rangoon Division and Irrawaddy Delta areas on 3 May with winds of 190 kilometres per hour. Five states in the country have been declared as disaster zones and 95% of buildings in the cyclone's path have
been destroyed. A two or three metre tidal wave carried salt water far inland across low lying delta into fresh water sources. Food and water supplies are needed, and water-borne diseases will begin to have a devastating and large scale impact. The Provincial of the Australian Jesuits has asked for prayers and support .

Gift Catalogue - available

By request from donors, Jesuit Mission now offers Gift Cards, for that donation-in-lieu of a gift at birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or for your own special reasons. The Gift Catalogue describes how the gifts are applied in Health, Education and Rural Development programs. Three levels of gifts in each program explain typical uses for each donation. Pictured left is the Rural Development gift card. Download the catalogue, or phone (02) 9955 8585 to request one by post.

Letter to Friends of Jesuit Mission

Read a Letter to Friends of Jesuit Mission. For a link to the letter, Click here >>>.

Searching?

Don't forget to use the SEARCH tool at the top right-hand corner with any keywords to help you find items of interest.