Josephite Community Aid (also JCA or Jcaid) was a charity organisation based in Sydney, Australia, which, through the work of young volunteers, provides assistance to newly arrived refugee migrants, people facing poverty, mental disability, underprivilege and other special needs. JCA was founded in 1986 and relied on donations and the work of volunteers.

History and community work

JCA (originally named "VCA" from Vincentian Community Aid) invited young people to serve the poor and marginalised. It was founded by Sister

Maria Sullivan Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Josephite Sister Maria Sullivan did mission work in Maria Comboni Missionary Sisters, Comboni Mission, Mapuordit, southern Sudan and founded the Josephite Community Aid in 1986. References ...

RSJ, who approached friends in 1986 with ideas for forming a group to help the poor and underprivileged with the assistance of young volunteers. The group attracted a wide range of benefactors and young volunteers and found a particular mission working among the waves of refugee intakes reaching Australia, from war zones such as Lebanon, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Sudan. With the support of the

Sisters of Saint Joseph The Sisters of St. Joseph, also known as the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, abbreviated CSJ or SSJ, is a Roman Catholic religious congregation of women founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France, in 1650. This congregation, named for ...

, the Australian order of nuns founded by

Saint Mary MacKillop Mary Helen MacKillop RSJ (15 January 1842 – 8 August 1909) was an Australian religious sister who has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church, as St Mary of the Cross. Of Scottish descent, she was born in Melbourne but is best known f ...

, the group committed itself to aiding people who are poor and underprivileged through utilizing the talents and dedication of young people.

Recognition

Representatives of Josephite Community Aid were invited to participate in the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop in Rome in 2010, with co-ordinator Adrian Thompson representing Australia in the procession of gifts. JCA featured in the documentary ''Mary MacKillop: Soul of the Sunburnt Country'', produced by Albert Street Productions and Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

References

{{reflist Charities based in Australia Organizations established in 1986 Organisations based in Sydney Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart Catholic charities Social welfare charities Catholic Church in Australia 1986 establishments in Australia Non-profit organisations based in New South Wales