Probably our most decisive formation occurred at home when our mothers and fathers encouraged us to take our first steps. Jesuits are no different from anyone else in our stages of growth. We are each responsible for the values and patterns of behaviour we appropriate to ourselves. Yet since much is demanded of them, a Jesuit’s personal formation is necessarily long and deep.
The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has released a detailed document on formation for Jesuits for this part of the world.
Entitled “Forming a Contemplative in Action: A Profile of a Formed Jesuit for Asia Pacific”, the document addresses three major questions – What does a formed Jesuit look like? What specific issues does initial formation need to address? What competencies a formed Jesuit for Asia Pacific needs to have mastered?
Fr Bambang Sipayung SJ has been appointed Regional Director of Jesuit Refugee Service-Asia Pacific. His three-year term begins on June 1, 2012.
Fr Sipayung replaces Fr Bernard Arputhasamy SJ who has served the region with dedication and competence for nearly seven years.
In his letter of appointment, Father General Adolfo Nicolás said that Fr Sipayung’s rich field experience will be “a great asset to JRS”.
The EAPI in Manila celebrated its 50 years since it became known as the East Asian Pastoral Institute in 1961. It was set up in 1955 by Fr. Joannes B. Hofinger SJ as the Institute of Missionary Apologetics. However, the name was changed in 1961 as Fr José Maria Calle SJ, the last of the EAPI founding team, recounted in 2009.
Jesuit Superior General Adolfo Nicolás speaks to Jesuits in Belgium about how our modern world is giving us less time for what really matters in life.
Jesuit centres serving migrants came together round the table for the first time in a JCAP workshop held in Seoul from May 15 to 17, 2011. The 14 participants from Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and Korea included a representative from the Good Shepherd Sisters’ network.
During the workshop, the group heard from experts about best practices and learned from each other’s experiences. They also heard from migrants themselves. Joint action was initiated to better accompany and prepare migrants as they move across borders.
The East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) has begun an English for Formation programme for clergy and religious. The programme was developed in response to the need for an intermediate-level English course containing components on spiritual formation and adult catechesis.
Fr John Lee Hua SJ has been named Provincial of the Chinese Province. He takes over from Fr Louis Gendron SJ. He was born in 1966, entered the Society of Jesus in 1992 and ordained a priest in 2002.
Fr. John will begin his new mission on January 1, 2012. He will take a sabbatical from August 1 to the end of the year to rest and to prepare himself for his new mission.
| Jun 27 – 30 | Communications Meeting, Indonesia |
| Jul 11 – 15 | Social Ministries – Mekong Experiential Workshop, Cambodia |
| Jul 18 – 22 | JCAP Major Superiors Assembly and Arrupe Board of Trustees Meeting, Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Aug 01 – 25 | East Asia Theological Encounter Program, Chiang Mai, Thailand |
| Aug 13 – 16 | Buddhism Workshop, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Aug 20 – 22 | Formators’ Circle Meeting, Thailand |
Fr Ismael Zuloaga (CHN) was conferred the Luceat Lux Lifetime Achievement Award in March for his vision and leadership in making Xavier School the leading Catholic school it is today. At the award ceremony held at Xavier School, Greenhills West, San Juan City, the Philippines on March 11, 2011, Fr Zuloaga, the school’s director from 1965 to 1985, was described as a true son of Ignatius, father to generations of Xaverians, and inspiration to the entire Xavier School community.