December 20, 2019 – The Advent season is often filled with beautiful stories of solidarity. This year, one such story takes place at St. Bonaventure’s College in St. John’s Newfoundland, part of the Jesuit Schools Network. On the invitation of Richard Mulrooney, S.J, the students have created handmade Christmas cards, of which 500 copies will be sent to the guests at the Gathering Place, which as one of its services provides a meal for anyone who needs it. The connection with this place had already been established since the students in grade 10, 11 and 12 have been going there twice a week to serve breakfast. The St. Bonaventure’s College students will also personally hand out fifty or so cards to the seniors who attend Computers for Seniors, a workshop which helps elderly people master technology.
These cards will bring the joy of Christmas to those who may not have a mantlepiece on which to place it. This way, cards expressing the love and peace of Christmas will make their way not just to houses and inns, but also to the manger–the place in which Jesus came into the world.
– Richard Mulrooney
This initiative is a good example of how the Universal Apostolic Preferences can work together simultaneously, and be carried out by anyone, whether Jesuits or laypeople. In this way, the project allows us to accompany these young people in the creation of a future full of hope, openness and solidarity, by inviting them to spend a bit of time with the poor and the outcasts of the world.
Click on the collage to view individual cards.
