Fr Saichon Khanyulai (TAI) is returning to Bangkok on August 24 from tertianship. While waiting for is next assignment, he will be residing at Xavier Hall. Fr John Shea (NYK) will be moving to his new assignment at Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, on August 23. In his email to the Region, John wrote, “Thanks for all the support and companionship these last five years.
Arrupe International Residence opened the academic year 2010-2011 on a high note, as usual. Members, both old and new, trudged in one by one towards the end of May: there were the old members returning home, from summer pastoral exposure programs abroad, from home visits; there were new comers – novices from in East Timor and Myanmar joining the Juniorate program; a Junior from Sri Lanka region coming for studies in Philosophy; others for theological studies having completed regency; and new staff members. By the beginning of June, we were a full-house.
A group of scholastics recently spent four days with some communities in Wonosobo District uplands learning about how local families draw a livelihood from the land while keeping a forest canopy that protected the soil, water and nutrient cycles. In … Continued
Mr Murayama Hyōe took his first vows at Mass celebrated by Fr Provincial Shogo Sumita at Kamishakujii, Japan on March 21. The night's rainstorm gave way to a fine day as a sign to the new scholastic of the many blessings from God and from the 40 Jesuit joining him in the Mass.
On June 21, Fr Irsan Rimawal (IDO) made his final vows at the Maria Della Strada Novitiate Chapel. He then took over Fr Wardi Saputra (IDO) as Novice Director for the Myanmar Mision. Fr Wardi is now on sabbatical – two semesters of the New Directions program at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, USA.
To promote a Jesuit's capacity to enter into dialogue with Muslims, the Conference has set up a new program, the Asia Pacific Theological Encounter Program on Islam.
The next batch to join the Asia-Pacific Tertianship will meet the new Assistant to the Tertian Instructor, Fr Priyono Marwan (IDO). Fr Pri teaches psychology at Sanata Dharma University. In 2000-2002, he was the Socius to the President of the Conference, which was then held by Fr Ismael Zuloaga (CHN).
More than 100 Jesuits attended the Province Villa in Baguio City, April 5-11. Fr Manuel Perez, Minister of Ateneo de Manila University’s Jesuit Residence, was in charge. Fr Manny added a special attraction to the festivities when he pronounced final vows there on April 7.
With the increase in the number of scholastics, the Vietnam Province started construction at St Joseph's. Everyone looks forward to 24 new private rooms, a laboratory and a small chapel, and two more big classrooms when the work is finished.
Two Vietnamese scholastics will be going to Rome to work at the Radio Vatican. A third one will be sent to Cambodia.
Fresh faces are filling up the novitiates across Asia Pacific. Last February, Korea accepted five novices. In March, Indonesia welcomed 12 and Australia has three. Philippines has added five. And by the end of April, three more will be in the Myamar Novitiate. Thank you God for these abundant gifts!