On October 21, Fr Jim Meehan (PHI), departed for Chiang Mai, Thailand to attend a four-day meeting of the Asian Liturgy Forum. This forum brings together representatives of various local churches to discuss the progress of liturgical renewal throughout Southeast Asia. About fifty persons attended the meeting, including delegates from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand. After the meeting, Fr. Jim made his eight-day Annual Retreat at Seven Fountains, the Jesuit Retreat House in Chiang Mai.
The following day, the Chinese Scholastics left for Hong Kong to attend the Chinese Province Meeting. The program includes several activities stretched throughout the two-week meeting (October 22 – November 10). Spearheading the activities is the Community Building Seminar, which includes the visitation of Jesuit communities and apostolate areas in both Hong Kong and Macau. There were also talks on the Jesuit history in China, the Contemporary Chinese Political and Economic Situation, Culture and Tradition, the Jesuit-Lay Collaboration, the Relationship between Vatican and China, the Preparations for GC 35, and a Seminar on Spiritual Direction.
The semestral break also became a chance for the Arrupe House workers to have their three-day (October 28-31) Retreat in Mirador Jesuit Villa in Baguio City. Accompanying the Arrupe workers were Schs. Chester Yacub (PHI), Joel Liwanag (PHI), and Bongbong Tajon (PHI).
On October 29 to November 02, the Jesuit Juniors had their Urban Poor Exposure in Navotas, a fishing municipality north of the City of Manila. For four days, the Juniors experienced the life of urban-poor Filipinos in the crowded and, oftentimes, flood-stricken Municipality of Navotas.
Through the arrangements made by Fr Martin Suhartono (IDO), former Rector of Arrupe House, and Fr Jojo Magadia (PHI), Rector of the Loyola House of Studies, on November 3-4, the Filipino scholastics in Arrupe: Schs. Chester Yacub, Bongbong Tajon, Joel Liwanag, and Andy Abing, joined the Loyola House Scholastics (1st and 2nd Year Philosophers) on a two-day Jesuit Leadership seminar and workshop entitled Jesuit Leadership: Fast Forward to the Future (Organizational Skills for Apostolic Assignment).
The Arrupe community was also graced by the presence of Fr John Mace (+KOR), the newly appointed Superior East Timor Independent Region. The East Timor Scholastics had their individual manifestations during Fr. John’s visit on November 02-15.
During the semestral break, despite the busy schedule, the Arrupe community also took time to rest for a four-day villa. After which, on the evening of November 09, the Arrupe community had its Triduum with Fr Joaquin Bernas (PHI) giving the points for the retreat. On the evening of November 12, the community made its renovation of vows during the Holy Mass which concluded the three-day Retreat.