*Sr Margaret Guy RSC with JRS Service Manager Maeve Brown.*

Five years ago, Sister Margaret Guy RSC received a phone call inviting her to be part of a new Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) drop-in hospitality centre in Western Sydney to support people seeking asylum, Link Magazine reports.

After much planning, Sister Margaret was part of the opening of the new JRS Australia community centre, ‘Arrupe Place’, named after JRS founder, Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ.

“At this time, we had a small team with just seven clients on the list,” said Sr Margaret.

An additional community centre was rented just a few streets away.

“With the changes in government policies, so many more refugees and people seeking asylum had their small incomes cut, so we had more people accessing our support and community programs,” explained Sr Margaret.

Again, more space was needed.

“In late 2018, we moved to Westmead, gratefully accepting the Marist Brothers’ offer of their former residence,” said Sr Margaret.

Last year, JRS Australia served 3068 people.

“We now have 592 clients on our foodbank list, representing about 1800 people.”

In late 2019, Sr Margaret announced it was time for her to conclude her ministry with JRS at the end of the year.

Maeve Brown, JRS Service Manager said, “Margaret and I have worked together very closely over the 5+ years we've both been at JRS. She and I spent the early days wandering around Southwest and Western Sydney trying to find the perfect spot for the yet-to-be-named JRS drop-in centre.

“During that time, things have really only gotten worse for people seeking asylum, but it has been an honour to work alongside Margaret. Even on difficult days, Margaret shows deep compassion and solidarity with those that walk through our door. We will all miss her greatly.”

This article was first published in the Autumn 2020 edition of JRS’ Link Magazine.