This year has brought many changes to our lives and the way we do things, particularly for schools. As St Aloysius’ College Rector Fr Ross Jones SJ recently said, ‘Tough times lead to creativity.’
Jesuit Mission has partnered with several Jesuit and Companion schools to develop creative new ways of fundraising, which also enable students to achieve their community/Ignatian services hours.
Staff at St Ignatius College Riverview walking in solidarity with the people of Timor Leste.
Students at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview’s Senior Campus are collectively walking over 7000km, the distance to Cambodia, raising vital funds and completing their Ignatian services hours. Students at the Junior Campus, Regis, walked together in solidarity on St Ignatius’ Feast Day. The group completed 2830 km, the distance from Sydney to Timor-Leste. The staff at Riverview also walked and rode in solidarity with the people of Timor, completing almost 3000km.
Students at Saint Ignatius’ College Athelstone were asked to reflect on how St Ignatius inspires them, their connection to Jesuit Mission, and the educational works in Timor-Leste. Students did this while collectively walking in solidarity the distance from Adelaide to Timor-Leste – over 3200 km.
With Victoria under strict lockdown restrictions, students at Xavier College had to get really creative. Together with their staff, Xavier College students decided to Cook in Solidarity with a Social Justice Week Cook-Off, as both a fundraiser for Jesuit Mission and for service hours.
Jointly these solidarity activities have raised over $90,000 for the Jesuit Mission Emergency Action Fund, but more importantly, staff and students have together followed in the footsteps of St Ignatius, the pilgrim, and the Jesuit missionaries, to walk alongside the marginalised.
As the health and economic impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic are felt around the world, Jesuit Mission continues to support our vulnerable brothers and sisters overseas, thanks to the Jesuit schools, as well as all the generous supporters.
To learn more visit www.jesuitmission.org.au.