Bernard Elliot SJ

The winter of 1980 was very cold with snow in London before Christmas.  They asked if they could have a Christmas party at Heythrop.  The college was closed and the Jesuit Community was away for Christmas.  There was no public transport on Christmas Day.

I agreed to the party on December 26th, Boxing Day.  I took them shopping in Soho before Christmas.  They cooked a lunch for 50 people.  The following year they organized a "Sweet Party" rather than a set meal.  These continued until 1985 by which time they had established their own local Vietnamese associations around London - in Peckham, Hammersmith, and Kings Cross among others.  The Catholics had their own church in Poplar.

I think creating an environment where a person feels - almost - at home, is essential for the person to relax.  When a person feels at home and secure then their relationships can begin to grow and they begin to put down roots.  They begin to enjoy being human. Happiness breaks through, which in turn gives the power to persevere, even when material requirements are at a minimum.