Jesuits gear up for London Marathon

Sam on right training in Victoria Park

The London Marathon takes place this Sunday. Among those taking part is a 14-strong team from Jesuit Missions, who will be raising funds to help provide an education to people whose lives have been devastated by conflict and displacement. All money raised will be sent to Jesuit Refugee Service in Maban, South Sudan to offer quality education, counselling and training to children and adults from both refugee and host communities.

Fr Chris Krall SJ, an American Jesuit who recently joined the Campion Hall community in Oxford, to pursue a Masters in Sacred Theology and a DPhil in Science and Religion, will be running his 16th marathon and his first for Jesuit Missions.

Chris said: “I have just finished reading the decrees of the 36th General Congregation entitled “Companions on a mission of reconciliation and justice” … it all goes back to when I was an undergraduate at Boston College and first got into marathon running, that sense of feeling alive and being in it for the long haul, just as the very first Jesuits were inspired when they set up the Society of Jesus at the very first General Congregation, for the greater glory of God. We go where we are most needed and right now that is South Sudan”

To be a companion on Chris's marathon mission, visit his fundraising page here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=JesuitMissions&faId=768383&isTeam=true

Jesuit Missions staff will be welcoming runners and their supporters to London on Saturday evening with a traditional pasta party so the runners can stoke up on carbs. And after the race the runners will be brought back to Farm Street church hall, not far from the finishing line on the Mall, for refreshments, showers and massages.

On Sunday Sam Aidoo, JM Education for Justice Coordinator, will be swapping roles. Normally on marathon day she is cheerleading, encouraging and helping out behind the scenes. This year she is front of stage as a runner in her first marathon. She said: “Training has been so solitary and I can’t wait to get among the crowds, the music and all the different scenes around London. [when I cross the finish line] I’ll try not to cry. Hopefully I’ll be on my feet with a smile on my face.”

Michael Frain is running for the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Wellington Womble costume. A veteran of many marathons and 'Iron Man' competitions, Michael is an alumnus of St Ignatius College and a former pupil of Fr David Stewart SJ. Fr Stewart will be marrying Michael and his fiancée next year, and plans to cheer Michael on his way on Sunday.

Please support Michael on his Justgiving page here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michael-frain

Michael and Chris are joined by four other alumni of Jesuit schools on the 2017 London marathon: Joe Notter, Ryan Stokes, Robert Simpson (all from Stonyhurst College) and Nicholaus Prasetya (Canisius College Senior High School Indonesia).

For more information visit the JM Marathon page here: http://jesuitmissions.org.uk/take-action/london-marathon/meet-our-team/