WALKING WITH THE EXCLUDED
All 28 of the young adult attendees (ie, under 30 years old) at The Cardoner Network annual fundraiser on the rooftop of St Aloysius’ College on Friday 13 June. All images: Grant Leslie Photography.
Around 130 supporters of The Cardoner Network gathered on the rooftop of St Aloysius’ College on Friday, 13 June. The vibrant lights of Vivid Sydney 2025 and stunning harbour views provided the perfect backdrop for this annual gathering of alumni, donors, parents, Jesuits, Board members, staff and many other friends of Cardoner.
Fr Ramesh Richards SJ, Rector of The Cardoner Network, led the Acknowledgment of Country and the prayer.
The spirit of joy and generosity was overwhelming, with more than $25,000 raised on the evening. These funds will be a great help to the growth of Cardoner’s young adult ministry.
Cardoner CEO Stuart Salier gave the official welcome.
Two separate video clips, featuring Cardoner’s partners in Nepal and Thailand, were played on the night. In addition, two of Cardoner’s alumni, Michelle Hoffman (who volunteered in Thailand for six months in 2023) and Josh Conlon (who volunteered in Micronesia for 11 months in 2016) spoke evocatively of their experiences.
Josh Conlon said of his 11 months volunteering in Micronesia in 2016: “Nearly 10 years on, not a week goes by where a lesson, or a moment, or a memory isn’t relived. “
Josh explained that his time in Micronesia revealed his vocation in teaching, exposed him to a world that he could not have possibly understood without living in it himself, gifted him his most trusted friend, and transformed him in ways he can’t ever fully understand.
From left to right: Cardoner Chair Bryan Jenkins, who spoke about friend-raising and fundraising; Fr Paul Mullins SJ, Socius of the Australian Province; and Cardoner CEO Stuart Salier.
He added: “In Micronesia, the school I lived at carries a Jesuit name. It is a bastion of privilege and opportunity in a nation where precious little of either is found. Nearly 10 years on, and not a week goes by where a lesson, or a moment, or a memory isn’t relived. The spark (of that experience is) well and truly alive.”
Michelle Hoffman (extreme left), who spoke about her six-month stint volunteering in Thailand in 2023, was also the young adult leader on a Nepal immersion in January 2024. Eliza Thompson (middle) took part in the Nepal immersion in January this year. Keara Walsh (right) also took part in the same Nepal immersion.
In Michelle’s own words: “Through completing a six-month placement in Xavier Learning Community Thailand, I was able to immerse myself in a new culture and forge friendships with the students and staff living there.”
Cardoner staff (left to right) Marta, Jane and Jeremy enjoying the speeches.
She added: “By offering XLC as a placement, it provides the opportunity for students to learn English from native speakers, which in turn allows them to pursue professional work in tourism and hospitality.”
Young adult residents from Cardoner’s Bellarmine House ably manned the silent auction and raffle prize table.
Cardoner Board member and journalist Emma Rossi flanked by (left) Fr Richard Leonard SJ, parish priest of North Sydney-Lavender Bay-Kirribilli and (right) Fr Kieran Gill SJ, Cardoner Board member and parish priest of the Sevenhill and Riverton parishes in South Australia.
You can make a tax-deductible donation to The Cardoner Network here.
Banner image: Grant Leslie Photography.