Jesuits to launch London volunteer initiative

The Mount Street Jesuit Centre in Central London launches its first ever Volunteers programme this month.

London Jesuit Volunteers (LJV) aims to address some of the social issues that people experience in the capital, combining practical assistance with prayer and spirituality.  It is appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds who have time that they wish to donate to the service of people in need in the Greater London area.  Volunteers would be working alongside refugees and forced migrants, the elderly, prisoners, the homeless and other marginalized groups of people in London.  And there would also be the opportunity to place such work in the context of their faith, as they reflect prayerfully with other London Jesuit Volunteers on the bigger picture of faithfulness to God and justice.

LJV Co-ordinator, Lisa Directo Davis, says that this work dates back to the earliest days of the Jesuits.
'St Ignatius Loyola regarded social action as one of the three foundation blocks of the Society of Jesus, along with education and the Spiritual Exercises,' she says. 'This work in London is as vital today as it was in Rome 570 years ago.  It's a very real and practical way to put the Gospel into action, by working alongside people in the greatest need in our society.'

The first meeting for potential volunteers will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, 24 January 2007, at the Mount Street Jesuit Centre Hall - with refreshments at 6.30pm.  This will be primarily for exchanging information on why and how one can become a London Jesuit Volunteer, as well as for exploring opportunities.  If you wish to attend this meeting, please let Lisa Directo Davis know by 17 January.

Anyone interested in volunteering with LJV, or who would like more information, should call 020 7495 1673 or e-mail lisa@mountstreet.info


 Mount Street Jesuit Centre