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.
During the last week of May we journeyed to the Jesuit villa on the scenic Mirador hill in the outskirts of Baguio city for our annual community villa, to share the stories and the rich experiences we had brought with us from the summer and regency programs, from the novitiates and the juniorates, from home visits and previous assignments, with one another. The villa, as usual, was an opportunity for the members of the community –both new and old—to get to know one another. The weather up the hill was chilly and misty, providing a totally different setting from Manila, and a good break from the familiar.
The villa was followed by a two-day orientation program back at the community, to formally introduce the new members to the life in the community. The two days were activity-packed. The orientation program officially began with the rector’s address. There was then the formal introduction of each new member of the community. The various leaders of the house made presentations about “our way of proceeding” in the house. The new members were then taken on a tour around the house. There were also peer group and sub-community meetings. Each day ended with a beautiful liturgy presided by Fr Mark Raper (ASL), President of JCAP, and Fr Koichi Matsumoto (JPN), the rector, respectively, and colourfully animated by our different cultural inputs. The facilitators, to their credit, creatively kept us entertained throughout the two days.
With the orientation ended, we officially began the academic year 2010-2011. This is a particularly special year for Arrupe Residence since it marks its 20th anniversary, which we will be celebrating on November 14. It is thus a year of reflection, a time to stop and look how far the community has come since its inception 20 years ago. And we will have more than enough graces for which to thank God. The little mustard seed planted two decades ago has borne abundant fruits!
The 2010 FIFA World Cup bonanza kicked off in South Africa in mid June, with the soccer fever gripping the entire globe. The fever invaded our own A.I.R. Even though not many Arrupeans had their home countries represented in South Africa, everyone quickly found a team to call his own. And as happened throughout the world, there are those who rejoiced, and others who were left heart-broken. Arrupe again was no exception.
June 2010 has also been a milestone for the Philippines. A new president, Noynoy Aquino, took office, having been elected in the May general elections. On his relatively young shoulders now rest the heavy hopes and dreams of the nation. We can only pray for him.
Earlier this month, Fr Mario Francisco (PHI), the President of Loyola School of Theology, held a meeting with the theologians’ sub-community to deliberate on the proposed Asian Mandate of the Loyola School of Theology. Our theologians certainly had rich suggestions on how to make LST more international. It was good to have Fr Mario with us.
As part of the initiatives of the Asian Mandate, the A.I.R theologians joined the Loyola House of Studies theologians for a two-day Social reflection seminar sponsored by JCAP and hosted by LST. The seminar was held on 25 – 26 June and was facilitated by Frs Mario Francisco (PHI), Henri Priyono (IDO) and Albert Alejo (PHI). The seminar featured rich cultural encounters, and discourses, and participants emerged richer, and able to appreciate the cultural diversity present in the Conference.
The month of June has thus been a busy one for the community. It marked the beginning of not just the new academic year, but of a year in which Arrupe International Residence marks its 20th anniversary. With the infusion of new faces and fresh blood, the community also assumed a new façade, and hopefully gained more energy for the journey ahead. We entrust our daily life and future plans in the hands of the ever-loving God.
Compiled by: Sch Omolo Christopher Otieno and Sch Wanyonyi Eric