AMDG

Dear OSJ Family,

With all of the talk about refugees these past few weeks, I though it right to bring to your attention a directive from our Jesuit Provincial Offices. Father Robert Hussey, SJ, our Provincial Superior recommends to us supporting the Jesuit Refugee Service Program, Mercy in Motion, to provide a concrete approach to Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy.

This blurb taken from the JRS site best explains who they are: ”The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS programs are found in 50 countries, providing assistance to: refugees in camps and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in cities, and to those held in detention centers. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2014, more than 900,000 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.”

Gratefully, this very month, the Jesuit Refugee Service celebrates its 35th anniversary. In addition, the Holy Year of Mercy will begin December 8th. Pope Francis’ invitation to the Church to reveal Christ’s mercy, especially to those most in need, goes hand in hand with JRS’ mission. On November 14, the date of JRS’ anniversary, Pope Francis missioned JRS and its friends to do what they can for refugees during the Year of Mercy. JRS’ response to the Year of Mercy will be a renewed focus on education. (very Jesuit approach!) JRS believes that education is the long-term solution to the global refugee crisis, a solution that begins with one child at a time. The goal of Jesuit Refugee Services is to raise $35 million to meet the goals of the Global Education Initiative. The Initiative will be truly global, structured as a network of campaigns among JRS regions, individual benefactors and foundations, and Jesuit partner organizations around the world. ( that is OSJ!)  JRS/USA will serve as our focal point in the United States for the Global Education Initiative and Mercy in Motion Campaign. Pope Francis has stressed the Year of Mercy is an opportunity “to rediscover and make fruitful the mercy of God, with which all of us are called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time.” When speaking out on the current refugee crisis, he has also said that the world is suffering from a “globalization of indifference,” ignoring those who cry out for mercy. But it is time to change that.

OSJ can be a part of this initiative, I am sure. We can come together to make a globalized difference. If you are interested in supporting JRS, please see their website and if there are ways that we can do more as a parish, I am eager to hear any and all suggestions.  We will continue to put our love and mercy into action as we have for the past 282 years!

With my esteem and prayers,

© 2015 Fr. Phil Florio, SJ

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