On January 26 the Chinese people celebrated New Year. In a video-editorial of eRenlai published on the web, Fr Benoît Vermander (CHN), Director of Ricci Institute in Taipei, declared that while it is always difficult to make predictions, he would venture three regarding China for the year of the Ox.
Fr. Philip Heng (MAS) will assume the post of Parish Priest of the Church of St. Ignatius, King’s Road, Singapore. This appointment had been accepted by His Grace the Archbishop of Singapore, Nicholas Chia,upon the recommendation of Fr Larry Tan.
Fr Philip Heng will take over from Fr Leslie Raj, whose health is of major concern to us as he is suffering from a chronic stomach problem, which requires constant medical monitoring and attention. Please continue to pray for him.
Following last summer’s wonderfully successful MAGiS08 event at World Youth Day in Sydney, MAGiS initiatives are springing up in many countries and regions.
MAGiS09 Africa is one – an Ignatian program for young adults in Kenya and Tanzania in August this year. MAGiS09 hopes to draw young people not only from the East African countries but also internationally.
Fr John Mace, Superior of the East Timor Region, arrived in Omaha last January 30. His hip replacement will take place after he meets his orthopedic surgeon on February 20. Please pray for his successful surgery and fast recovery.
A sagging ceiling indicated a leaky roof of the Sonolux building. And one thing led to another.
The Novice Masters were in Singapore on January 15–23 under the leadership of Fr Colin Tan (MAS). Fr Philip Heng (MAS), who used to coordinate the group was sorely missed. Vocation Promoters had the privileged of using the newly renovated JCEAO conference room, which was formerly the Vietnam Service Desk. Fr Xave Olin (PHI) organized the group and they shared a session, dinner and a night with the Major Superiors. For the rest of the year, here’s the list of Conference activities.
International Day of the Disabled and Graduation Day were two major events for the students of Banteay Prieb and JRS-Singapore came for a visit.
Fr Bong Abad Santos (PHI) continues to dream of making Railaku a full-fledged parish. For this to be possible, one of the things to be done is to have the Railaku church repaired. He is getting in touch with several donors to raise enough funds for this project.
On December 6 Father General appointed Fr John S. Hagileiram Regional Superior of the Micronesia Region succeeding Fr Kenneth J. Hezel. Fr. Hagileiram was born in 1952 and joined the New York Province in 1975. He was ordained priest in 1985 and has worked in Micronesia for many years. At present he is the Episcopal Vicar of Yap for the diocese of the Caroline Islands and pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Palau.
(Source: S.J. Electronic Information Service, December 22, 2008)