The ongoing Pastoral Renewal Program, which began in June, is practically on its last month. With 71 participants coming from 22 different countries of Asia and the Pacific, the program has branched out to two sub-courses on Contextualizing Theological Perspectives (CTP) and Exploring Pastoral Approaches (EPA). The program will end with an 8-day retreat with Fr Sebastian Painadath from India.
Fr Totet Banaynal writes from Cambodia, “I am back to my base here in Battambang as parish priest. Things are going OK. After the Tertianship and after four years of knowing and living with the people here, I feel like I am able to plan things out and be more proactive in the works. [Msgr.] Kike appointed me… as the General Vicar for the prefecture. As General Vicar, I will be looking after the finance and relation with donors, establishment and direction of the pastoral center for the ‘Diocese,’ relations with other religions (Buddhists and Muslims).
The eleven EAO delegates for the Apostleship of Prayer (AOP), with Fr Aloys Van Doren, Director General Delegate, met last October 9-14, 2006 in Seoul, South Korea.
Their sharing confirmed that the situation of the AOP of each province/region is different. It is active in some places but in others, there are difficulties in terms of manpower, collaboration with dioceses. Sometimes communication and collaboration with fellow Jesuits is not good. In some places, people do not know about the AOP.
Recently, two simultaneous workshops, already on their 4th year, just concluded here in EAPI. One the Spiritual Direction Workshop, in partnership with the Center for Ignatian Spirituality, began on May 23rd and ended on June 17th with 19 participants (lay, religious and ordained) coming from East Asia and the Pacific.
Talks, reflections, sharing, and discussion will center on the theme, The Jesuit Characteristics of Parish Work, during a Seminar for those Jesuits working in parishes. It will be held at the EAPI from May 22 to June 3, 2006. Fr William McGarry will once again be the coordinator for the Seminar. So far, fourteen Jesuits from different provinces and regions have registered to participate.