On May 20, the last group of the East Timorese novices in Singapore took their vows at the Loyola Jesuit Novitiate. This date marks the end of seven years of East Timorese participation in that novitiate. Of note is the fact that the Singapore Jesuits never charged at all for this service to East Timor and the Jesuit Conference. For this, we remain ever grateful to the Malaysia-Singapore region.
Fr Lester Maramara (PHI) joins the staff at Arrupe International Residence replacing Fr Manuel (PHI). Fr Pham Van Ai (ASL) turns over his responsibilities as Director of Juniorate to Fr Jeff Chang (MAR), who arrived last June 2. Fr Ai will leave on June 14, visiting Malaysia and Singapore before going teach theology in Vietnam. Also leaving Arrupe Residence is Fr Jim Meehan (PHI), but he continues to generously serve the Conference with his new assignment at the East Asian Pastoral Institute.
In January 2009 the major superiors decided that a working group be set up that will develop better cooperation among the nine Asian schools for philosophy and theology.
The Maryland Province continues to make Fr Jeffrey Chang Gar-lok available under the Chinese Province. Benefiting from the generosity of both Provinces is the Arrupe International Residence (AIR). Fr Jeff will be the new Director of its Juniorate Program beginning mid-2009. At the moment, he is finishing his tertianship in California. He replaces Fr Pham Van Ai (ASL), who will continue his teaching ministry in Vietnam and Australia.
On April 4, the Church of Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University, was overflowing as many came to witness the ordination to the priesthood of Xavier Alpasa, Francis Alvarez, Jason Dy, Oliver Dy, Frank Dennis Savadera,
Sch Wilbert Mireh (MYN) has been approved for theology, and will be continuing his theological studies at Loyola School of Theology, Manila, Philippines. He will be a member of the Arrupe International Residence. Congratulations to Wilbert for his two years of teaching at Xavier School, Truk, Micronesia. Wilbert will begin theology at the beginning of June, 2009. Sch Francis Htjaru (MYN) is assigned to Jesuit Refugee Service, Mae Hong Sohn, Thailand.
Fr Roger Champoux (PHI), Tertian Director, wrote on February 25, "The Common Tertianship is moving very fast toward its end on March 7. The Tertians just came back from their last experiment.
The tertians in Kandy had their Triduum before the program finished on February 27 evening. Prior to that, they had an evaluation and came up with some suggestions for the next programme. In general they are very happy with their tertianship at Kandy. The community, house, facilities, climate, food, programme are excellent.
Final vows of Fr Jose Hildy "Totet" Banaynal (PHI), Deacon Jub‘s coming ordination and new novices.
Fr Jose Hildy "Totet" Banaynal (PHI) made his Final Vows on December 12 at the parish church in Battambang to Fr Gabriel Je, Delegate of the Korea Provincial (Cambodia Mission), with Fr Jojo Magadia, Provincial of the Philippines, beside him.
On December 13, Fr Paul Pollock (TAI), Regional Superior of Thailand, accepted two new novices, Theerasap "Nui" Lyysaem and Apisak "Sak" Praithongkeeree. Both will be going to Yangon at the beginning of January 2009, to live with the candidates at Canisius House, and study English full time at Campion Institute. They will return to Thailand at the end of March, get themselves ready, and then officially enter the novitiate in Taunggyi, Myanmar, on April 30, 2009.