The Cambodia Mission was teeming with activities this month: medical mission, Fr Mark Raper’s visit, preparation for the new Jesuit House, formation session with university students and much more.
A medical team from Taegu Fatima Hospital run by the Benedictine Sisters in Taegu, South Korea visited Kampong Thom from November 8–15. The team of five doctors and two nurses, together with two Benedictine Sisters staff and two support staff rendered medical assistance, performing eye and dental operations for the poor at Kampong Kok and Kampong Thom. These places lack the medical equipment and personnel to provide such acutely needed treatments.
Having completed his initial three-year assignment to the Cambodia Mission after ordination, Fr Lee Kyung-yong (KOR) left on November 11 for a well-deserved three-month home leave in Korea. Cambodia mission looks forward to Kyung-yong returning in February 2009.
Fr Mark Raper (ASL), in his new capacity as President of JCEAO, visited the Cambodia mission from November 17–21, over 25 years since his first visit in 1983. He participated in a small planning meeting called by Fr Gabriel Je (KOR), Delegate of the Korea Provincial.
Soil testing began on November 26 on the land in Phnom Penh Thmey, where the new Jesuit House will be built. Results will be used to ensure that the design of the three-storey building will be sound.
Fr Gabriel Je (KOR), attended the meeting of superiors of all missionary religious and congregations on November 26 hosted by the Bishop of Phnom Penh, Msgr Emile Destombes. The invitation letter indicated that some 50 missionary organizations are working in the Phnom Penh diocese alone. The activities of all these missionaries have a great impact on how the Church in Cambodia will evolve.
University students under the Leadership Scholarship scheme met in Siem Reap from November 24–25. There were six of them, three males and three females. Five are from Svay Sisophon and one from Siem Reap. They went through a formation program, an important component of this new Leadership Scholarship, aimed at nurturing future leaders for the Catholic Church in the Northern part of Cambodia. It was a time for them to meet and get to know each other, as well as to gain an awareness of past important events in their lives and an awareness on the environment. Such opportunities to reflect on themselves and the situation in Cambodia and the world is very much needed in Cambodia, since the country’s history is vaguely known to youths, which comprised more than 50% of the population. The session was organized by Fr Gregorius Priyadi (IDO) and his team, comprising of Fr Gabby Lamug-nañawa (PHI), Fr Ekka Manoj Kumar (RAN) and Ms Srei Mom, the Project Co-ordinator of Jesuit Service Cambodia’s office in Siem Reap.
The three scholars under the Sogang University Scholarship scheme left for Seoul, South Korea on November 26. They will study the Korean language from December 2008 to prepare them for life in Korea and for their masteral studies. Ms Chan Sony will work towards a Master in Mathematics, Mr Eang Seang Hor for a Masters in Physics, and Mr Sreng Leng for a Master in History.
It was a blessing that their original flight via Bangkok Airport could not be secured for November 25. They would have been caught in the saga of the Bangkok Airport occupation by protestors.
Contributor: Sch Matthew Tan
