Choir, cake, care
The Curia staff at the Irish Jesuit Provincialate office in Dublin have raised a total of €1090 at their Christmas raffle, Tuesday 10 December 2025. The money was presented to Irish Jesuit Internationals and will be used to construct a well in Sudan, and purchase winter clothing for villagers.
As we enter the Christmas season, we do so in a spirit of deep hope and gratitude. Around the world, children and families continue to face hardship— from conflict, displacement and poverty. Access to basic needs like food and shelter is more precarious given changes in global funding and access to education and medical services more difficult. We witness their courage, resilience and dreams and walk alongside them through your generous support.
Yanira Romero and Emer Kerrigan from Irish Jesuits International attended the raffle on the day and were presented with the money at the end of the event. They were over in the Curia Office with their now annual Christmas stall of craft goods from the Mikono Refugee Workshop in Kenya. This year they also featured craft work from
There was a large display of arts and crafts items for sale, all individually handmade by refugees living in urban areas in Kenya. These included cutlery, salad spoons, crosses, and Madonna and child carvings. There were hand-sewn cushion covers, bags of all sorts and sizes made of stunning multi-patterned fabrics, computer cases, and rucksacks all stitched to the highest standard. There were earrings, cards, aprons, tablecloths, placemats all of which were a great hit as Christmas presents with an ethical bent.
The money generated goes straight back to the refugees who made them, and Yanira and Emer say “It’s a tangible and enjoyable way to demonstrate solidarity with refugees while helping them to earn a much-needed and valuable income.”
The Curia staff and others from Cherryfield and Messenger Publications bought gifts totaling almost €500. Many who had bought goods from IJI Mikono before came back for more, saying not only what good value it was but also commenting on the high standard of the craft work. Similar items would cost a lot more in any commercial craft shop.
To round off the Christmas season the Curia -osities (the Curia Christmas choir) hope to entertain the Jesuits and staff in Cherryfield nursing home on 6 January 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany, with their renditions of some favourite Christmas carols and songs.
