The Australian Jesuits have established a new Province entity responsible for engaging in and coordinating Jesuit ministries of faith, service and community with young adults ranging from ages 18 to 30 years old.

The Cardoner Network (TCN) was announced by the Australian Provincial, Fr Quyen Vu SJ, on 12 October and is based on the successful model of The Cardoner Project (TCP) established in Sydney in 2010.

The Australian Jesuits Province has a new youth ministry entity called the Cardoner Network which will consolidate into one ministry all of the Province’s Young Adult iniatives. PHOTO: The Cardoner Project/Jesuits website.

Fr Quyen had announced in June 2021 that all the Province’s Young Adult initiatives would be consolidated into one ministry of the Society of Jesus. The intention is to fulfil both the Universal Apostolic Preference, ‘Journeying with Youth’ and the Province Apostolic Priority, ‘Form the Young in a Faith Seeking Justice’.

A new board has been appointed for TCN to develop and deliver this initiative, including Jesuits Julian Butler and Kieran Gill along with a number of lay people.

“I am grateful to each of them for their willingness to serve our mission”, said Fr Quyen. Julian Butler has also been appointed as Chair of TCN and the Provincial Assistant for Young Adult Ministry, starting from January 2023.

The Cardoner Mission is:

‘To nurture and accompany young adults in expressing a Christ-centred desire to love and serve those in need domestically and overseas, sustained by communities that help build a hope-filled future. Central to this mission is formation of young people that reflects the traditions of the Catholic Church within the Jesuit and Ignatian tradition; witnessing and expressing justice by way of service to those marginalised, oppressed and dispossessed; and building community that sustains that commitment to service and the faith that gives rise to it. This mission is understood within the mission statement of the Australian Jesuit Province – Welcoming (forming strong, faithful relationships), Discerning (being reflective and strategic in all we do) and Courageous (standing up boldly to effect change).’

Fr Quyen invited and welcomed all Jesuit ministries to continue supporting the TCN initiative to further develop and enhance the ministries working with young adults.

“It is my hope and expectation that all Jesuits and Jesuit ministries will give generous consideration to how they can work with TCN in mutually supporting ways to further our common mission,” he said.

For more information visit the website of the Jesuits in Australia.