December 7 the tertians in Manila left for Christmas ministries in remote areas around Tabuk in Kalinga Province and around Bontoc in Ifugao Province and Mountain Province. Both are in Northern Luzon. They will stay in different parishes or stations until Dec 28, then return back at Ateneo de Manila.
The Qur’an, which was revealed about 600 years after the New Testament, tells the story of Christmas in its own way. An account of the birth of Jesus occurs in more than one of its 114 Surahs (or chapters). In these accounts, we find a clear emphasis on the virgin birth of Jesus and an announcement that Jesus was sent by God with a message of peace for all mankind.
The Jesuit Social Centre opened a new migration desk and the Tokyo Public Law Office inaugurated its Legal Assistance Section for Foreigners.
We are pleased to invite you to subscribe to Ecology and Jesuits in Communication, an e-newsletter of Jesuits and friends, as we respond to the global invitation (GC35 Decree 3) to understand the universal importance of engaging in ecological concerns and the need for reconciliation with creation.
On November 9, Fr Mark Raper spoke at a conference held at the Pontifical Gregorian University to mark 30 years of Jesuit service to refugees. The conference was organised by three Jesuit organisations, Jesuit Refugee Service International, Centro Astalli and Magis as a part of a calendar of events held in Rome between November 9 – 14.
Bangkok, 11 November 2010 – An estimated 20,000 people have fled to Thailand since conflict broke out between government forces and the fifth brigade of the ethnic Karen rebel group, the DKBA. Fighting began on Monday morning 8 November in the southeastern border town of Myawaddy, less than a day after election polls opened in the military controlled region.
JRS initiated activities to accompany internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mindanao, Philippines in July 2010. JRS works in evacuation centers and communities identified as prone to recurrent displacement. Meanwhile in Timor Leste, the focus is towards a peaceful and just reintegration and rebuilding. JRS ensures that local leaders, youth and women at the village and sub-village levels have strengthened governance capacity to create an environment that promotes peace and stability.
Recently, Xavier University had its groundbreaking ceremony at Manresa for their new CIT (Center of Industrial Technology), which is considered to be an environmentally sound building. This eco-building would serve as the model for other such buildings in the Philippines.
This is Fr Mark’s presentation to the Melbourne Chairs.
Building a Conference team was the reason for gathering the apostolate coordinators together with the JCAP consultors and the JCAP core team for the annual “enlarged consult” in Manila last October. 20 participants examined the commitments each sector will make to Conference wide projects and priorities. The group was not at risk of starving during these days, thanks to the care of Anne Noche of the Conference office.