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News & Events
Fr Richard Macdonald SJ: a life of sharing personal gifts on mission
Kindness, hospitality and human sensitivity – these are the three "gifts" that Fr Richard Macdonald SJ shared with all who knew him during his years of ministry, many of which were spent as a missionary in India and among the native people in Canada. Fr Richard died peacefully on 6 August 2010 at Scarborough Centenary Hospital, Ontario. He was 83. At his funeral on 10 August at St Joseph's, Morrow Park, Fr Robert Foliot SJ described Fr Richard as a man who understood his mission, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19), as "going from the altar to meet people". And as he went out on mission, Fr Richard took these three "gifts" with him. Read More »
CJI Director to join JRS Council
The Director of CJI, Jenny Cafiso, has been appointed to the International Administrative Council of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) as a co-opted member. Read More »
Two new board members at CJI
Two new members have been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Canadian Jesuits International: Fr David G. Shulist SJ and Shaji John Kangapadan. Read More »
Haiti Earthquake Survivors Living in Appalling Conditions says Jesuit Refugee Service
Six months after the earthquake in Haiti, more than one million survivors continue to live in appalling conditions, with inadequate sanitation, limited access to basic services, insecurity and constant food shortages according to the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Read More »
Burundi AIDS Clinic Inaugurated
On 11 June, an AIDS clinic named after a slain Canadian Jesuit was inaugurated in Bujumbura. Read More »
Burundi Clinic to be Named After Canadian Jesuit Martin Royackers
An AIDS clinic to be inaugurated in Burundi on 11 June 2010 will be named after Fr. Martin Royackers SJ, a Canadian Jesuit murdered in 2001 in Jamaica at the age of 41. Read More »
Memorial to celebrate the life of Fr Edgar Burns SJ
A memorial for Fr. Edgar Burns SJ will be held in Toronto on Monday, 21 June, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, from 7 to 9 pm. Read More »
CJI Mourns Loss of Fr. Gerald Leclaire SJ
Father Gerald Leclaire died peacefully on May 23, 2010, Pentecost Sunday, at René Goupil House in Pickering, Ontario at the age of 82. Read More »
Canadian Jesuits International mourns the loss of Father Edgar P. Burns SJ
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Fr Edgar Burns SJ. He died on 17 May 2010 in Darjeeling, India, of heart failure, at the age of 85. Fr Burns began his mission in Darjeeling, India, in 1951 as a teacher at St Joseph's College, North Point. He is best known for founding Hayden Hall Social Centre in 1969 and was its director until 2009. Read More »
Getting to know the African Jesuits in English Canada
There are ten Jesuits from African countries currently living and studying in the province of Jesuits in English Canada. Over the coming months, Canadian Jesuits International will bring you their stories and experiences, with which they enrich the communities and universities where they are hosted. In September of 2009, Canadian Jesuits International hosted the first ever meeting of all African Jesuits in English Canada. It was a great opportunity for them to share their stories and expertise with each other. Read More »
Canadian Jesuit appointed to Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Canadian Jesuit Fr. Michael Czerny, S.J., has been named personal assistant to the newly appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana. Read More »
CJI director participates in forum discussion on Haiti on Listen Up TV
The director of Canadian Jesuits International, Jenny Cafiso, was one of the 12 panelists in a special forum discussion on Haiti called Heart for Haiti hosted by Listen Up TV. The show, hosted by Lorna Dueck, looked at how 12 Canadian Christian based organizations have responded to the crisis in Haiti, exploring issues such as material aid, medical response, orphans and reconstruction plans. The show aired on Sunday February 7th at 11 am on Global TV. It will re-air on CTS TV and 5 other networks across Canada, the U.S., U.K. and Australia. To view the show, visit www.listenuptv.com.
Canadian government matching donations made before February 12
For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians, the Government of Canada will contribute one dollar to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. This fund will provide financial support to Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations working in the affected area. CJI will submit proposals to the fund to get the matching funds. Click here to learn more http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/.
CJI joins call to cancel Haiti’s debt
Canadian Jesuits International is calling on Canadians to support the cancellation of Haiti’s external debt. The international community has come together in solidarity to aid Haiti with emergency relief. The next step is to understand the underlying and historical factors that multiply the impact of this devastating earthquake. Unless it is cancelled, Haiti’s crippling debt will compound the long lasting aftershock of this earthquake. Your voice and your signature to this online petition could make a difference as we work towards the immediate cancellation of Haiti’s $1billion debt. To lean more about Haiti’s debt read "Why Haiti’s debt must be cancelled" at www.kairoscanada.org. Please visit www.one.org to learn more and to lend your voice.
An Unparalleled Solidarity
The people of Haiti are showing "an unparalleled solidarity" helping those injured in the January 12th earthquake and sharing food and water. Two weeks after the devastating quake that killed over 200,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless, aid supplies are pouring in and distribution is under way. But survivors, especially the most vulnerable, remain in desperate need. Fr Kawas Francois SJ, a member of the Jesuit community in Haiti, told JRS USA: "Without this solidarity – spontaneous and effective – I don’t see how people could survive." Read More »
Photos from the Jesuit Novitiate in Haiti
Photos taken by José Manuel Moreno from the Jesuit Novitiate team Read More »
A lesson and comfort from those we came to comfort
Mario Serrano, SJ, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Dominican Republic, is in Port au Prince with colleagues of the Centro Cultural Poveda to help coordinate the Jesuit response to the Haiti disaster. He describes his experience as a lesson in humanity and hope. Read More »
Jesuits set up bi-national network for aid to Haiti
Jesuits in the Dominican Republic and in Haiti have mobilized in both countries to organize their relief effort in Haiti. Together with a number of religious and secular organizations they have established various committees to oversee each aspect of the response: health, volunteers, communication, relations with Haiti, reconstruction, contact with donors and fundraising. These activities are being streamlined through six locations in the two countries where the Society of Jesus is present: Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, Port-au-Prince, Dajabon, Jacmel and Pedernales. This is making it possible to deliver aid to more people in an efficient and organized manner. Read More »
CJI Sends $10,000 to aid Haiti Relief Effort
Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) has responded to the Haiti earthquake by making an immediate donation of $10,000, while at the same time launching an appeal to its donors and friends for their support in the wake of the devastating earthquake. CJI has sent the funds to the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Dominican Republic which along with the Jesuit communities in Haiti, have mounted a relief effort in Haiti. Emergency supplies have been brought by land from the Dominican Republic to Haiti and teams of Jesuits and lay collaborators are working in different areas to offer assistance to the victims. Read More »
Reports from the field and Jesuit response to Earthquake in Haiti
Eyewitness reports from Jesuits currently in Haiti continue to paint a picture of devastation and grief due to loss of life and property in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. Kawas Francois SJ, a Haitian Jesuit reports from Port-au-Prince that thousands of bodies currently litter the streets and the majority of the houses in the city centre including schools, offices, and churches have been completely destroyed. Kawas goes on to say that the Catholic cathedral of Port-au-Prince had been badly damaged and the General Hospital had collapsed with patients and staff still inside. Read More »
CJI Calls for Emergency Support for Haiti Earthquake
Canadian Jesuits International joins the international community to make an urgent call for your support for relief efforts in response to the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. The Jesuit Community in Haiti is actively involved in relief efforts in aid of those affected. Canadian Jesuits International is working with the Province of Jesuits in French Canada, and Jesuit Refugee Service both of which are coordinating the Jesuit response in Haiti. Donations can be directed through Canadian Jesuits International by calling toll free at 1 800 448 2148 or through the donations section of our website. Read More »
Jesuit Provincial & CJI Director Visit Nepal and India
Fr. Jim Webb, Provincial of the Jesuits in English Canada and Jenny Cafiso, Director of Canadian Jesuits International (CJI), travelled to India and Nepal last November to visit several projects supported by CJI, as well as to visit a number of Canadian Jesuits who are still living and working in the region. What they found is a vibrant region with well established Jesuit ministries, as well as a number of new initiatives and ambitious plans for the future. Read More »
Jesuits Commemorate the Martyrs of El Salvador
On November 16th, 1989 during the 1980s civil war in El Salvador, six Jesuit priests, along with their housekeeper and her daughter were executed by soldiers. On this day 20 years later, Jesuit communities in Canada join their brethren around the world to commemorate the lives and work of Jesuit Fathers Ignacio Ellucuria, Ignacio Martin-Baro, Segundo Montes, Amando Lopez, Juan Ramon Moreno, Joaquin Lopez y Lopez, and their housekeeper Julia Elba Ramos and her daughter Celina Mariset Ramos who were killed in El Salvador. Read More » The first ever meeting of all African Jesuits studying in the province of Jesuits in English Canada was hosted by Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) on September 25th and 26th, 2009. This was a meeting of great significance not just as a first but also because it brought together Jesuits from different African countries and Jesuit provinces to reflect on Africa within a Canadian context. Read More »
STAND UP TAKE ACTION for the Eradication of Poverty
Saturday October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The day comes on the heels of a report just released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization which estimates that more than 1 billion people around the world are undernourished. Read More »
An Evening on Darjeeling with Fr. Bourke
On the 22nd of September, Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) hosted an evening of conversation with Fr Bill Bourke, SJ who is one of the pioneers of the mission in Darjeeling. He shared his reflections with some of our donors in the Toronto area, a number of Jesuits and other members of the CJI family. Read More »
New Staff Members at Jesu Ashram
CJI welcomes the new staff members at Jesu Ashram. The new additions are Sr. Dr. Sarita who is a medical doctor and a religious sister of the Daughters of the Cross of Calcutta province. Two Jesuits, Fr. Basil Topp and Brother Gilbert have also joined the team. There are now four Jesuits and four sisters of the Daughters of the Cross now working at Jesu Ashram. Read More »
KATC Receives Local and International Honours
On May 27th, the first republican president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, visited our project partner Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC). The visit generated much interest among staff and farmers associated with KATC. KATC was also honoured on the international front, when Peter Msimuko from KATC was judged the winner of the Rijk Zwaan Plant Sciences Award in the Netherlands. Read More »
Amar Y Servir Forms New Toronto Team
On July 10th 2009, FUNDACIÓN AMAR Y SERVIR established the group of volunteers that will be leading their work in Toronto. The team is made up of Blanca Rico, Carlos Alberto Ruiz, Maria Elena Piedrahita, Martha Enciso, Sonia Meza, Karen Aguiar, Orfanda Maria and Diana Karolina Grimaldos. Read More »
JRS calls for International Action on World Refugee Day
In a statement released ahead of World Refugee Day – June 20th, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) calls on governments to respect their human rights obligations and create an environment conducive to the integration of refugees and migrants. JRS also reminds citizens if they are more positively disposed to the plight of forcibly displaced persons, governments will be encouraged to improve their policies. Read More »
Bomb Blast at Assumption Church in Kathmandu
On Saturday May 23rd a bomb was set off inside the Assumption Cathedral in Kathmandu during Mass, killing two people and injuring dozens, two of whom remain in critical condition. Over three hundred people were inside the church at the time of the explosion, according to Fr. Pius Perumana from Kathmandu. The Apostolic Prefect of Nepal, Fr. Antu Sharma, SJ, who was about 300km away in another community at the time of the blast rushed back to be with the hundreds directly affected by this bomb blast. Read More »
CJI Launches Urgent Appeal for Relief and Reconstruction Efforts for Sri Lanka
Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) urgently needs your support to respond to the needs of the people displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka. CJI is responding to an appeal made by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) which is active in Sri Lanka providing humanitarian assistance and supporting the resettlement and rebuilding process for internally displaced people currently living in camps. Read More »
Stephen Sims on his book, River of Awareness
 River of Awareness asks the guiding question of how the heart is taught to love. It is a journal of spiritual themes, the offspring of a personal quest initiated when I first began to ponder what it means to live an authentic life. As you read through these pages, you will catch glimpses of the riverscape of my individual journey. My real goal, though, is to relate not the events of my outward life, but rather the challenges of an inner adventure of meaning.
Author Stephen Sims has had two six-month sojourns in Darjeeling with Canadian Jesuits International. He is the founder of IASIS, an awareness education project that endeavours to awaken positive potential through nurturing physical wellness, emotional wisdom, and spiritual balance. This is Steve’s first book with a variety of anecdotes and reflections that make reference to his CJI experience in India. Read More »
New Program Co-ordinator at CJI
 CJI welcomes Ikem Opara as a new member of our staff team. He takes up a position as Program Coordinator. Ikem grew up in West Africa and has studied, lived and worked in Toronto for the past ten years. He majored in Political Science at the University of Toronto. Ikem has worked with Canada World Youth Exchange programs, The Pathways to Education program and Peacebuilders International. His experience includes developing programmes to support, engage and educate youth across Canada. He helped run an Africa-Canada Eco-Leadership Program and has worked with the Ministry of Education in Cuba on youth exchange programmes. We welcome Ikem to our team and look forward to working with him.
CJI mourns the loss of former director, Fr. George Leach SJ
Canadian Jesuits International celebrates the life and mourns the loss of Father George Leach who died suddenly of heart failure on Sunday April 12th, 2009 at his home at Favre House in Toronto. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, April 16th, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, at 10:30 AM, with burial in the Jesuit cemetery in Guelph at 3:00 PM that afternoon. Read More »
He is Risen CJI Launches Easter Appeal When people work for justice so that others may have life, we know that Christ has truly risen and lives among us. The CJI 2009 Easter Appeal invites you to join our mission: to support those who are committed to bringing new life amid death, poverty and despair. Please click here to see the full appeal, which is being mailed to people across Canada. If you would like to receive some copies to distribute in your parish or school, or among family, friends and colleagues, please contact CJI.
Colombian Rumba raises hope and funds for women victims of the armed conflict
The fun evening include delicious traditional Colombian food, as well as music and dancing with a special performance by Afroyou and DJ Ivan. Amar y Servir director Jorge Serrano SJ welcomed and thanked everyone for their support to this important cause. The event was organized by a group of Colombians living in Canada who are committed to supporting justice, development and peace in Colombia. Read More »
Canadian Jesuits International sends $10,000 in response to Burma emergency
CJI has sent $10,000 to local partners in Burma to provide emergency relief to the survivors and to restore the homes, roads, schools and hospitals that have been damaged or destroyed by the cyclone. Our partners are particularly caring for the children and for the elderly, who are most vulnerable in a crisis like this. Read More »
A Conversation With Fr. John K. Guiney, SJ
On Thursday May 29, 2008, Fr. John Guiney, SJ visited the CJI office on 1325 Bay Street, for a conversation on his work in Africa, a reflection on recent events in Kenya and his plans for international work in the Irish province. Fr. John Guiney, SJ is an Irish Jesuit who has lived and worked in different countries in Eastern Africa for several decades. Until recently he was the Regional Director of Jesuit Refugee Service in Eastern Africa. He has now returned to Ireland and will soon assume the position of Director of the Mission Office in the Irish Province. Read More »
Benefit event for Colombian women affected by the armed conflict
The Colombian Community in Toronto and Amar y Servir are organizing an event to support the "Program for peace" project, which assists women affected by the armed conflict in Eastern Antioquia. Join us on Friday, June 6th for an evening filled with music, dancing, surprises, and traditional Colombian food. We invite you to buy your ticket and contribute to this noble cause. Read More »
Death threats to civil society organizations in Colombia prompts letter to Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs
Jesuits in English Canada and French Canada have issued an urgent appeal to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Maxime Bernier, to take immediate steps regarding death threats on members of several civil society organizations in Colombia while free trade negotiations are held between the two countries. Read More Read the Jesuit Letter to Hon. Maxime Bernier »
Large scale relief action by the Catholic Church in Myanmar is now underway
The Catholic Church has mobilised an important relief effort through the local Caritas partner in response to Cyclone Nargis. Religious communities and local church communities are important partners in these efforts. It has set up a relief base in the grounds of the Archbishop's house in Yangon. Many religious, are members of the teams that are going out to the affected people. Read More »
CJI holds 2nd orientation session for Zambia study tour
CJI held its second orientation session for the study tour to Zambia on Saturday, May 10th at the CJI office on 1325 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario. The full day workshop included a session with Fr. Jim Profit SJ, Director of Jesuit Collaborative for Ecology, Agriculture and Forestry (JCEAF), and Ecology Project coordinator. Read More »
The Response to Cyclone Nargys in Myanmar
The Church in Myanmar are responding to assist those affected by the cyclone, particularly children and the elderly, who are most vulnerable. They are also working with their partners to respond to the immediate emergency needs and to develop plans for reconstruction in those areas hardest hit by the cyclone. Read More »
North American Social Ministries Conference: Solidarity in Christ's Mission
A gathering of people involved in Jesuit Social Ministries throughout North America will be held at Regis University in Denver from June 18 to 22, 2008. Drawing from the lived experience of the participating ministries, we will reflect on Jesuit Social Ministries and God's call today by focusing on the following questions: What is our common experience? Where do we find God present? Where is God calling us? Read More »
New Development Coordinator hired at CJI
CJI welcomes John O'Leary to the position of Development Coordinator. John comes to CJI with 17 years of experience as President of Frontier College - a national literacy organization, as well as extensive experience with a variety of community organizations. In his professional and personal life, John has shown a deep and passionate commitment to poor and marginalized individuals and communities. Read More »
Canadian Jesuits International sends $10,000 in support of Jesuit response to Kenya emergency
JRS is providing both emergency relief and longer-term support to those in greatest need. Assistance provided to vulnerable groups like children and HIV-patients includes tents, sanitary kits, clothing, and food supplements. This aid will be coupled with peace-building and counselling, as well as one-off support of fertilisers and seeds to enable people to start over. Read More »
Kenya: post-election violence condemned by church and civil society organisations
The Catholic and Anglican bishops' conferences, interfaith coalitions and NGOs have called for an end to the awful scenes of destruction, violence and murder which have convulsed the country since the presidential elections. They urged that dialogue between the groups representing President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga has to take place. Nevertheless, both sides seem stubbornly implacable in refusing to join mediated dialogue. Read More »
Kenya: opposition wins vote for parliamentary speaker
On 15 January, Kenya's opposition won the post of speaker of parliament, confirming its supremacy in the house and signalling legislative problems for President Mwai Kibaki after his disputed presidential election. Kenneth Marende achieved the required simple majority to become speaker in the first session of parliament since disputed presidential election results. Read More »
Jesuit Hakimani Centre calls for peaceful solution to Kenya crisis
The Jesuit Hakimani Centre has issued a statement calling for an peaceful solution to the current violence in Kenya and to the repercussion of its recent elections. It puts forth a four-point strategy which includes working with Church and civil institutions, as well as mediation and reconciliation. Read the full statement »
Bishops of Kenya Call for Peace
On January 2, 2008 the Kenya Episcopal Conference issued a statement calling for peace and dialogue in Kenya following the outbreak of violence after the elections. Read the full statement »
ACTÉAL Massacre remembered
On December 22, 1997, 45 unarmed people at prayer, mostly women and children were killed by paramilitary gunmen in Chiapas, Mexico. The people who died will be remembered in an ecumenical vigil to be held on December 20, 2007 St. Ann’s Church in Toronto. It is being cosponsored by Canadian Jesuits International, the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice along with a number of other Churches and organizations. Read more »
Remembering the El Salvador Martyrs
November 16 marks the anniversary of the brutal assassination in El Salvador in 1989 of six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter. It is a time to remember, but also to renew our commitment to justice and peace, as witnessed by the lives of those who were murdered. Read more »
Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, a JRS district co-ordinator was killed
Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, 40 years old and 10 years in the Priestly Ministry, the Mannar district coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) was killed in a Claymore explosion on the Pooneryn (Poonakari) Road, at Kalvi'laan, in the evening on Thursday the 26th September 2007, when he was taking relief food and humanitarian supplies to the refugee camp and to the Orphanage at Vidathalvu. Read more »
Canadian Jesuits International sends $10,000 to help communities in Jamaica recover from damage done by Hurricane Dean
Canadian Jesuits International responded immediately to help people in Jamaica with $10,000 in emergency assistance the day before Hurricane Dean hit the island. St. George's College, Holy Name Church, and the Rural Development program are still digging out from the destruction left in the Hurricane's wake. Read more »
CJI Plans Study Tour to Zambia for Canadian Educators
CJI is planning a Study Tour to Zambia for Canadian teachers and educators to help them deepen their understanding of international social justice issues and bring this to their classrooms. The study tour will take place in August 2008. Read more »
Worldwide Tributes to Tony Montfort
One of the most renowned and well-loved mission workers in the Catholic world has died at the age of 66. Jesuits throughout the world have been paying tribute to Tony Montfort, who worked at Jesuit Missions (JM) in Wimbledon, South West London, for 44 years. Read more »
World Refugee Day (June 20)
Today the international community focuses its attention on the plight of millions of people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to war, persecution, famine or environmental degradation. The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has issued a statement to mark this day. Please see http://www.jrs.net/news. JRS is an international organization founded by the Society of Jesus with a mission to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people.
A Conversation With Fr. Peter Pappu, SJ
A Conversation with Fr. Peter Pappu, SJ on the 50 year partnership between Jesuits in Darjeeling and in English Canada on Thursday, May 10th in Toronto and on Monday, May 14th in Winnipeg.
A Window on China: John Lee, SJ visits Regis College On March 17, John Lee, SJ, Chinese Province in China, gave an informative presentation at Regis College, Toronto on the Society of Jesus in China. Lee shared his experience and insights into the challenges facing the Chinese Church, emphasizing its great needs and potential growth. Read more »
Hopes High After Nepal Peace Accord
On 21 November 2006, a groundbreaking accord was signed in Nepal to put an end to 11 years of civil war. The war weary people are euphoric and dream of a new Nepal, but this is unlikely to happen overnight. Read more »
Colombian Jesuit Brings Message of Hope
On May 16, 2006, CJI hosted an event with Fr. Jorge Serrano SJ director of the Fundación Amar y Servir, "Fundación Amar y Servir" (To Love and To Serve Foundation) is a foundation set by the Jesuit province of Colombia to support all work and activities for peace and sustainable development.
Read more »
Benefit Concert
for the Catholic University of Ghana  On March 18, 2006 at the Jane Mallett Theatre in downtown Toronto, a benefit concert was held in aid of the new Catholic University College of Ghana, Africa.
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