August 2010

Sharing the flame

The new name for the magazine of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific - flame - echoes a major image from General Congregation 35.

The magazine was formerly known as Jesuits in East Asia and Oceania. However, with a new name for the Conference a new identity was needed for the magazine.

Cooperation on Common Projects

The mid-year meeting of provincials held in Seoul this July 19-23 chose migration, the environment and the development of Colégio São José, Timor Leste as three apostolic projects for immediate Conference-wide cooperation.  Three ‘internal’ or Jesuit governance projects were also chosen:  continued comprehensive planning for a Jesuit formation that offers a heart for the poor and respect for cultures; the development of governance arrangements for Myanmar; and a decision to build a new fund to support our common activities.

JCAP President's Schedule for September - November 2010

Sep 13 – 17           In Chiang Mai, Thailand with the JCIM Meeting for Indigenous Youth
Sep 18 – 26           In Rome, Meeting of Conference Presidents  with Fr General
Oct 04 – 11            In Melbourne, Australian Province Consult and Ministries Commission
Oct 14 – 17            In Beijing, China for The Beijing Center Board Meeting

JCAP Upcoming events September – November 2010

Aug 30 – Sep 02  Treasurers' Circle Meeting, Macau
Sep 13 – 18           JCIM Meeting on Indigenous Youth, Chaing Mai, Thailand
Oct 21 – 23           JCAP Extended Consult, Quezon City, Philippines
Nov 14                  Arrupe International Residence 20th Anniversary

Going beyond yourself

'By the end of my Indonesian Immersion Experience, I knew that I had found what I was looking for', writes Erina Sharp, one of a group of young adults who recently travelled to Yogyakarta with MAGiS, the Ignatian young adult ministry. Here, Erina recounts an experience which enabled her to overcome obstacles and, in so doing, learn something new about herself.   

Promoting a Culture of Peace

The year of 2010 is a special year for Studio Audio Visual (SAV) Puskat. In this year SAV Puskat celebrates the 40th anniversary (1970-2010). The celebration is on every 15th of August.

An interview with Bishop Francisco Claver

In remembrance of Bishop Francisco Claver who passed away last 1 July 2010, we publish here an interview of ESSC with the Bishop in March 2008 where he generously shared his sharp and wizened thoughts on questions of culture and environment, especially in the Cordillera, his cultural origin.

Finding God in Cultures

The 400th Anniversary of the death of Fr Matteo Ricci will be celebrated in Hong Kong with an Ignation Symposium, The Ricci Legacy: Finding God in Cultures. It will be held on 2 – 5 December 2010. It aims to explore inculturation of various facets of Ignatian spirituality in different environments with special emphasis on personal experience and story; and with special reference to Chinese culture.

Full house at Arrupe Residence

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.

Education Colloquium in Fukuoka

The Education Colloquium of the Jesuit Education Commission for Asia Pacific was finally held in Fukuoka, Japan, from August 1 to 5. Originally scheduled last year, the colloquium was postponed due to the AH1-N1 virus scare.

News from Thailand

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.

You are a priest forever

Five Korean Jesuits were ordained as priests at Myung-dong Cathedral of Seoul Archdiocese on June 30. Frs Shin-jae Youh, Jin-hyon Lee and Jin-hyuk Park studied theology at Jesuit Theology Center (JTC) in Melbourne, Australia.

An experiment on religious life

A new experiment on vocation promotion came into play in Korea. From August 6 – 8, the Office of Vocation Promotion of the Korea Province, under the directorship of Fr. Song-yong Joseph Choe (KOR) ran the Jesuit school of religious life as an educational and experimental venue for high school students who consider religious life as their calling.

Cambodia Church leader targets education and poverty

Monsignor Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzales recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as head of the Battambang apostolic prefecture.

However, even before his installation, he had been working with Cambodians, particularly those with disabilities, as early as 1985 through the Jesuit Refugee Service in Thailand.

Six deacons ordained in Yogya

Last July 28 at 9 am, was the ordination of Indonesian Jesuit scholastics Bagus Aris Rudiyanto, Seno Hari Prakoso, Kristiono Puspo, Buddy Haryadi, Bambang Irawan and Sigit Prasadja by the most reverend Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, at St Anthony Church, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Ad maiorem dei gloriam!


New priest remembers East Timor’s past

Plínio Martins retraced steps in his own and East Timor's history when he was ordained in Dili on St Ignatius Day, July 31.

Over a thousand people took part in the celebration of the ordination of Plínio Rosário Gusmão dos Reis Martins in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili . Bishop Alberto da Silva of Dili was the presiding Bishop, assisted by Bishop Greg O'Kelly (ASL). Plínio's mother, accompanied by her brother, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, joined the procession.

Fr João Felgueiras 60 years as a priest

Last July 30, Fr João Felgueiras (POR) celebrated his 60th year as a priest. The East Timor Mission celebrated this event with a Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. in the ground-floor Salao in the Residencia Jesuitas in Taibesi, followed by a dinner.

Working with their hearts

Many Australians are going out of their way to volunteer in East Timor, writes Jock Cheetham.

School's out and night has fallen, but 10 students are back in class to hear Domingos Ati explain his work in one of the poorest parts of the world. Ati was briefing the year 11 boys from Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview, on what to expect when they visited East Timor in the school holidays.

Sanata Dharma University: 2012 and Beyond

Sanata Dharma University is strategically looking at post-2012 management and operations framework for implementation. Critically, the university is working towards achieving the following key areas, which are also significant for the Conference (JCAP) to engage with:

ATMI: Leading Towards a Techo-Ecological Institute in Indonesia

The Akademi Tehnik Mesin Industri (ATMI)-Solo was established in 1968. Since then, ATMI has become the leading vocational-industrial (manufacturing and engineering) Polytechnic University in Indonesia and probably across Asia. At present, ATMI manages three main faculties, which are distributed among ATMI buildings on two campuses: