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In a budget week when people’s worth will so often be judged by their success in making money and the financial contribution they make to the community, National Volunteer Week is a bright light. Volunteer Week reminds us that the best of Australians do not expect to be paid money for all the benefit they…
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Fr Geoff King, SJ, 8/6/1943 – 7/5/2015 Fr Geoff King SJ, who died on Thursday 6 May, was a great friend of Jesuit Social Services, having served on our Board (1998-2007) and Committees. As a Canon Lawyer he was always a source of reliable and compassionate advice on issues of moral theology and on the…
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Participants who attend the English Language Support program for asylum seekers in Sunshine and the Language for Life English classes in St Albans, attended an art workshop run by artist Trudy Cook on Monday 27th April at the our Artful Dodgers Studio. Participants helped to produce a collective artwork that will be displayed at the…
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Please join us in a candlelight vigil for Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and their companions awaiting execution in Indonesia. On Tuesday 28th April, the vigil will be held from 8am to 9am at St Ignatius Church Richmond (as it has been every day since 6th March) and will then recommence at 8pm in the evening,…
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Jesuit Social Services condemns the execution of Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and their companions in Indonesia. Every day from March 6 to April 29, when the executions occurred, we held a vigil at St Ignatius Church to provide an outlet for all members of the community to stand in solidarity with Andrew and Myuran. The…
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This year April Fools Day came early in the week leading up to Easter. The connection between the most solemn week of the Christian year and the day when jokers are let loose is thought provoking. Jokes are also part of the Easter story. They are not harmless, but are bitter mockery. After Jesus is…
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Jesuit Social Services was one of many organisations who joined the Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Asylum Seekers in Melbourne. The colourful march displayed many banners. Towering over them was a life size cut-out image of Pope Francis displaying his own appeal for refugees. Mark Crohan, of Jesuit Social Services was the man behind…
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We proudly welcomed 400 people to the MCG’s Members Dining Room on Saturday night for our annual fundraising dinner. Guests enjoyed a night of fine food, speeches, entertainment and an engaging Frank Costigan Address by the Honourable Justice Lex Lasry. Justice Lasry spoke about social justice, ethics and the “extraordinarily challenging” work being done by…
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Remote communities: not a lifestyle choice
Indigenous rights group SOS Blak Australia has declared today a day for action to stop the closure of remote communities. Visit the SOS Blak Australia Facebook page here Jesuit Social Services supports this call and rejects Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s recent categorisation of life in remote communities as a “lifestyle choice”. Such a comment ignores…
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The importance of each human life
Most Australians are shocked and saddened by the impending execution of Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumuran and their companions in Indonesia. They are being prayed for in churches and schools, and church leaders have pleaded for mercy. We at Jesuit Social Services deplore capital punishment because it does not respect human dignity. We focus on the…