I am very happy to begin in this new role as Country Director of JRS Australia.

I have long admired the work of JRS in accompanying, serving, and advocating for some of the most overlooked and vulnerable members of our Australian community.

Indeed, the work of JRS played a role in first attracting me to become a Jesuit, so it is now wonderful to be so closely part of it.

Over the last few months leading up to this appointment, I have met with a range of people and organisations in order to get a better sense of our work. I have been struck by how well JRS is broadly respected for its unique way of service to asylum seekers and refugees.

This is a testament to the extraordinary generosity, talent, and commitment of our team, staff and volunteers alike. I have also been struck by the overwhelming range of needs among the people we accompany, which are largely unseen and unmet.

I am grateful that we have so many generous supporters, as volunteers and donors, who see these needs and seek to address them as well as they can.

As you know, many asylum seekers continue to face significant hurdles in our community, without adequate support. We can be proud of JRS’s services that provide emergency relief and support through our foodbank and case workers, assistance gaining employment, English language classes, and specialised support for those facing gender-based violence.

We can also be proud of our advocacy efforts that draw our community and government’s attention to the challenges facing asylum seekers and refugees and point to more humane responses. I witnessed our impact just last week as JRS’s Finding Safety project hosted a well-attended Insights Forum, which explored how faith leaders can better address family violence among their communities.

I would like to acknowledge Josephine Rechichi, who has served as acting Country Director over this past year, for her tremendous hard work and significant achievements. I am very grateful for her generous leadership, dedication, and drive that have put JRS in such good shape and well-positioned to continue our service.

I look forward to meeting and working with our generous supporters and I hope to see many of you at our Mass and Dinner on 10 October in Parramatta.

Many blessings to you all!

Fr. Brett O’Neill, S.J.