Australia – Fr General Sosa thanks Australians for giving their hearts to the marginalised
Jesuit Mission Australia recently hosted a special evening on January 24, where they welcomed Jesuit Father General Arturo Sosa, along with his companions from Rome and Major Superiors from the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. The event was an expression of gratitude and friendship toward Jesuit Mission Australia's long-term supporters.
During a panel session, Major Superiors from Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Timor-Leste shared impactful stories and updates from their global outreach programs, made possible by the generosity of Australian Catholic supporters. Father Sosa emphasized that these supporters are considered part of the Society of Jesus' family, not just because of their contributions but because of who they are and the commitment they show by dedicating their lives and hearts.
The evening brought together friends and benefactors from various dioceses, including Sydney, Broken Bay, Parramatta, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Major Superiors and Father General Sosa, fostering personal connections and engagement.
Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia, described the evening as a source of great joy and encouragement, highlighting the positive impact achievable through collaboration and support for those in need. The Major Superiors shared stories of their ministry's efforts to ensure a hope-filled future for the youth, guiding them to become leaders who strive for justice.
In Timor-Leste, for instance, Jesuit education institutions focus not only on academic education but also on holistic formation, grounding students in values, culture, and spirituality. Despite political challenges in Myanmar, Father Girish Santiago SJ, the Regional Superior, spoke of the hope present among the youth, believing that education will bring positive change.
In Cambodia, the Xavier Jesuit School near the Thai border was established to provide quality education to children left behind as their parents seek employment in Thailand. Similarly, in Thailand, Australian Catholics are supporting Jesuit work in refugee camps, improving schools' curriculum, supporting teacher salaries, providing textbooks, and offering social and pastoral services.
Father General Sosa, the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus, expressed gratitude to the supporters, emphasizing the importance of their generosity in the history and existence of the Jesuits. He stressed the collaborative nature of the mission, stating that it doesn't solely belong to Jesuits but calls upon everyone to work together to fulfill the mission entrusted by God and the Church. Father Sosa concluded with a heartfelt prayer for abundant blessings on the supporters, their families, and their intentions. The event marked a historic occasion as only the third Father General to visit Australia in the history of the Jesuits.
Source: Jcap.org
Related Posts:
To me the Aunties are reconciliation in action, they know what their community needs and it is healing. Healing comes as part of the reconciliation process which is two-way.
Paglaum is the project proposed by Dulungan Youth to the Reconciliation with Creation network program in Asia Pacific Conference. Here is the progress of this project aimed at conducting a writing workshop to prepare young people to communicate the forest conservation efforts of the indigenous communities of Central Panay Mountain Range.
The Migrants and Refugees Network in Asia Pacific gathered to address migrant and refugee challenges, guided by collaboration, prayer, and Ignatian spirituality principles. Discussions ranged from updates on regional migrant situations to Taiwan's progressive immigrant response, culminating in the finalization of a five-year action plan highlighting the network's dual mission of support for both migrants and its members.
On 1 February, Myanmar marked the third anniversary of the coup d’état, where power was forcibly seized from a democratically elected government by the military junta in 2021.
To commemorate the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, Talitakum Indonesia hosted a joint prayer event featuring various activities.
On 14 February, Indonesians will exercise their right to elect a new President and Vice President. As Christians—comprising 3.06 percent Catholics (about 8.5 million) and 10.48 percent Protestants (about 20.7 million)—we may wonder about the impact of our collective voice.
