After an arduous search, the Cambodia Mission was able to purchase a piece of land (1,218 square meters) at Phnom Penh Thmey for the building of a Jesuit House in Phnom Penh. The funds were provided by JCEAO last year, but with the escalating property prices in Phnom Penh, the search had to go beyond the city boundary.

The new Jesuit house will be a place where our men can come to take a rest or attend to matters in Phnom Penh, as well as serve apostolic needs.  A Building Committee, comprising of Fr Oh In-Don (KOR) as chairman, Fr Gabriel Je as advisor, and Fr Joaqui  Salord (TAR), Fr Jose Hildy Banaynal (PHI), Br John Kim Du-huyn (KOR) and Br Matthew Tan (MAS), was formed to look into the design and building of the house.

Fr Gabriel Je, Delegate of the Korea Provincial (Cambodia Mission) and his secretary, Br Matthew Tan (MAS) are visiting the other religious congregations in Phnom Penh to familiarise with their work and to learn from their experience of working in Cambodia.

Fr Francisco Kim Tae-jin (KOR) gave a talk on the Bible to the Emmanuel Group, comprised of youths from all the three dioceses in Cambodia who are discerning their vocations. This is our Jesuit contribution towards nurturing vocations for the Cambodian Church.

Br Simon Kwon Oh-chang (KOR) arrived on 25 January to start his regency.  Simon is no stranger to Cambodia as he was here last July for an exposure program. He will start his Khmer Language studies in Phnom Penh and familiarize himself with Cambodia in the next few months.

Phongphand (Jub) Phoktavi and three other Jesuits were ordained deacons last December 1 in Richmond, Australia. Read more about this internationally flavored celebration in http://www.express.org.au/article.aspx?aeid=3928.