On November 9, Fr Mark Raper spoke at a conference held at the Pontifical Gregorian University to mark 30 years of Jesuit service to refugees. The conference was organised by three Jesuit organisations, Jesuit Refugee Service International, Centro Astalli and Magis as a part of a calendar of events held in Rome between November 9 – 14.
Bangkok, 11 November 2010 – An estimated 20,000 people have fled to Thailand since conflict broke out between government forces and the fifth brigade of the ethnic Karen rebel group, the DKBA. Fighting began on Monday morning 8 November in the southeastern border town of Myawaddy, less than a day after election polls opened in the military controlled region.
Recently, Xavier University had its groundbreaking ceremony at Manresa for their new CIT (Center of Industrial Technology), which is considered to be an environmentally sound building. This eco-building would serve as the model for other such buildings in the Philippines.
For the first time ever, Jesuit Refugee Service Australia will be able to accommodate entire refugee families after opening its latest shelter, a former boarding house in the Sydney beachside suburb of Manly.
The organisation recently held a housewarming party for the 13 residents – including a tiny baby – who will call the shelter home until their asylum applications are processed and they are able to get back on their feet.
This November 14th is the 30th anniversary of the founding of Jesuit Refugee Service. We recall fondly Father Pedro Arrupe’s sound advice to “pray, pray much” as he encouraged the struggling first generation of Jesuit Refugee Service team members in Southeast Asia to bring the overwhelming challenges of their new apostolic work to the Lord in prayer.
Jesuit Social Services works to build a just society by advocating for social change and promoting the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged young people, families and communities.
A project mapping the involvement of Jesuits in social ministries across Asia has highlighted the need for a renewed focus on social justice within the Society’s mission and activities.
I remember my first visit to the Klong Prem Prison Hospital with Father Olivier in April 2009 (two months before I started full time Prison Ministry that June). We approached each prisoner patient and gave him a few things such as toiletry articles and cookies. I thought we were going too fast and wondered how we could do better.
We talk about creation and environment, in study we read about ecology as our Jesuit mission. We get to know about “ecology” but have no understanding with meaning necessary to connect to mission. For instance, we have lectures about keeping the environment green; in our mind we know it is important. In theory we know but cannot grasp its relevance – or our relevance – to broader society.
Our kind of understanding is superficial in that it remains as an idea. This Wonosobo experience to be with people on the land builds a new perspective of what ecology means as creation where we are present.
Sanata Dharma University is strategically looking at post-2012 management and operations framework for implementation. Critically, the university is working towards achieving the following key areas, which are also significant for the Conference (JCAP) to engage with: