Fr Dibya (IDO) returned to East Timor early August and began his duties as Socius to the Novice Master and Director of the Candidacy Program.
Fr John Mace will be going to the USA on January 30. He will undergo a hip replacement. Please keep him in your prayers.
Last November 10, Ms Irene Ho, Director of St Aloysius Gonzaga English Language Institute, sent word from Kuala Lumpur to Fr Paul Pollock (TAI) that her operation, and insertion of a pacemaker, was successful.
On November 25, Irene was re-admitted to the hospital, to investigate swelling due to internal bleeding. There is the possibility that she may have to have another operation if the doctors cannot stop the bleeding. She is not out of the forest yet. Please keep her in your prayers.
Thanksgiving evening, November 27, at Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University was also an occasion to celebrate two Jubilarians: Fr Roger Champoux (PHI), Tertian Instructor for EAO Tertianship, has 50 years in the Society, and Fr Bill McGarry (NYK), Assistant Tertian Instructor, has now 50 years in priesthood.
The Ignatian Advocacy Workshop, held in El Escorial, Spain from November 10 – 16, was described as a success by Fr Fernando Franco, director of the Social Justice Secretariat. He said: "The fruits of the Workshop have gone beyond our expectations.
MAGiS has launched an extensive, worldwide review of the MAGiS08 programme, inviting participants of the World Youth Day Ignatian programme to take part in it. By gathering together comments, stories, and memories of MAGiS08, the ministry hopes to build an invaluable archive of the programme and to acquire guidance for the ministry’s direction.
Fr Paul Kriangyot Piyawanno (TAI) took his final vows last on November 1 at Xavier Hall Chapel, Bangkok. Fr Paul was born on October 9, 1960, the third of four siblings. After a short stint in dentistry, he entered the Society on May 4, 1987 and was ordained on May 25, 1997.
On November 24 the beatification of 188 17th century Japanese martyrs took place in Nagasaki in a solemn, public ceremony attended by over 30,000 people. The martyrs represented those Christians who, between 1603 and 1639, shed their blood for Christ and laid deep foundations for the Japanese Christian community.
The Jesuits, together with three other religious orders, have opened a language school in a poor district of Tokyo, where many foreign workers live. The aim is not only to teach Japanese but also to empower children and their parents, many of whom face discrimination in public spaces. Read the article by Fr Ando Isamu (JPN) here: http://www.kiwi-us.com/~selasj/jsc/english/bulletin/no146/iss146_1.html (Source: SJS Headlines, November 2008)
On October 29 – 30, Indonesian province members gathered for study and reflection on the graces, process, and decrees of the General Congregation 35. The meeting, held in Panti Semedi Jesuit Retreat House at Klaten, was also intended to prepare the province for further planning. [Modern Jesuits in Indonesian began 150 years ago, in 1859, when two Dutch missionaries landed at Batavia (now Jakarta).] 111 Indonesian Jesuits (out of 361 members) actively participated in the meeting by listening to the points of the GC 35 and interiorizing them in the small group conversations.
Beginning December 12, Fr Mark will be traveling to Myanmar, Thailand, Australia and Singapore. He will return to Manila on January 20, 2009.
Fr Minh-Uoc will be visiting Australia from December 5, 2008 to January 6, 2009.
On December 28, 2008–January 2, 2009, Fr Tom Steinbugler will be visiting friends in Davao City and in Cagayan de Oro City.
The JCEAO Office will be closed from December 24, 2008 to January 4, 2009.