75 years of loving service
FR TOM RENSHAW SJ, RECTOR
Tomorrow we will host the Jesuit Mission Bazaar. Many of you, like me, still think of it as the Indian Bazaar, reflecting the origins of this wonderful community event. In 1951, the newly established Australian Province of the Society of Jesus was entrusted with the Hazaribagh mission in north-east India, about 400 kilometres north-west of Kolkata. The Belgian Jesuits had previously cared for this area, operating out of Ranchi. So in 1951, six Australian Jesuits set sail for India. Many of them were alumni of the Jesuit schools, and their family and friends wanted to support this new, exciting and daring mission for the Australian Jesuits. This led to the establishment of two big community fairs designed to financially support these new works – the Indian Bazaar here at Riverview and the Maytime Fair held at Xavier College.
Over the next two decades, 56 Australian and New Zealand Jesuits were missioned to the Hazaribagh mission, including a number of Riverview Old Boy Jesuits - Hans Hendriks SJ, Paddy Meagher SJ, Tony Herbert SJ and Geoff Meagher SJ. Today, there are three elderly Australian Jesuits still working there, including Fr Tony Herbert SJ. The Hazaribagh mission has evolved and is now a Province in its own right with 168 Jesuits, including 101 Jesuit priests. There are a number of large high schools, educating more than 25,000 students, as well as 12 parishes assisting 694 villages across the two dioceses of Hazaribagh and Daltonganj. There is also a university college in Mahaundanr, a beautiful and remote valley in the western part of the Province. There are a number of Jesuits who work to empower the Dalit people to protect their land rights, especially against intrusion by large mining companies.
I have had the privilege of visiting the Hazaribagh Province five times, and it is inspirational what has been achieved in this part of India. The schools, parishes and other services have been made possible through the generosity of people from Australia, and especially our own community. Thank you. You may enjoy watching a three-minute video exploring the 75 years of loving service by Jesuit Mission.
From its earliest days, there was a recognition that very few of us would be called to be missionaries to India; however, Jesuit Mission promoted the idea of its supporters being co-missionaries, praying for the works of the Jesuits and their companions and supporting them through efforts such as the Bazaar. One of the other distinctive features of the Hazaribagh Province is the presence of religious sisters from a number of different religious congregations. Many are missionaries in India, coming from southern India, especially Kerala, and dedicating their lives to ministering in the tribal areas around Hazaribagh. The Australian Jesuits were well known for empowering the religious sisters to lead various ministries within the Province.
In the late 1990s, Jesuit Mission was encouraged to broaden its support beyond Hazaribagh and assist new Jesuit ministries in south-east Asia. Over 25 years later, Jesuit Mission continues to support Hazaribagh, as well as ministries in Cambodia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Myanmar. You can read more about the impact of Jesuit Mission’s fundraising and the ministries it supports here. Currently, they are also supporting the people of Nepal, working with local Jesuit partners, following the devastation of the recent floods.
Thank you for the support you give so generously to Jesuit Mission throughout the year, and especially at the Bazaar. Helen Forde, the CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia, has recently said the following about the Bazaar,
Each year, the Bazaar brings to life our Ignatian call to be men and women for others. It brings a community together with compassion and a desire to create incredible change. Every stall, every ride and every raffle ticket helps uplift the most marginalised communities across the world.
Looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow. You can access tomorrow's map and schedule here.
