Will Cummins (OR84) & Caritas Australia
Thursday, 5 December 2024

Daniel Bolger (former OIU President) recently visited Caritas Australia and spoke with Will Cummins (OR84) about his work and projects Caritas Australia is currently involved in.

"The Jesuits instilled in me compassion, looking out for others, humility, yes, education, but mercy and compassion was something they really confered in me, and that's what I see at Caritas Australia. The compassion and mercy for those in need around the world is very strong. I think in the Asia Pacific region, that we are making a difference. We're helping local communities, in PNG, Tonga and Samoa to build infrastructure to assist them with climate change. 

I can see the impact it's making amongst the communities, and it's very powerful. "I'm the major gifts manager at Caritas Australia. I look after approximately 150 major donor families for New South Wales and Queensland. Some are Old Ignatians. I love the work. I've seen the impact that it does globally with some of the most vulnerable people in the world. And it's a real blessing in life that I'm able to do this great work for Caritas, assisting those that really need it." Michael McGirr, Mission Facilitator at Caritas also gave us his story. 

"Caritas Australia is active in 36 countries with different projects and partners. That's 70 projects. 500,000 people in the last year have been supported directly, and another 500,000 have been involved in our humanitarian projects. So, we're talking about a million people. That's an impact. Most of the money we get comes through QR codes and online, but the box is a real symbol, because it connects people with their own stories. People remember the box in Primary school and I can certainly remember when I was in grade two, the box sitting on what was then Sister's desk. And so that association is great. And I think the pictures on the box take people to our core story, which is service of people who are in significant need. Half our money goes on emergency relief. 

Traditionally we spent more on development, but we just have to respond to crises as they emerge. And at this moment there are 33 wars taking place in the world we are involved in. We are helping people who have been displaced by about eight of them. So, the money goes a long way. It is used wisely. We take great pride in our stewardship and used in ways that I think, create change, not band aids, but real healing". 

For those who would like to donate to our causes, partnership programs around the world, please visit our website