TAIPEI (UCAN) — French Jesuit scholar Fr Benoit Vermander, who researches religion and culture, has been appointed a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Father Vermander, 47, director of the Jesuit-run Taipei Ricci Institute, told UCA News via e-mail Nov. 21 that the appointment, made by Pope Benedict XVI, “came as a total surprise.”
TAIPEI (UCAN) — Priests and laypeople who attended a memorial Mass for an Italian Jesuit who worked in Taiwan and Hong Kong lauded his concern for the Church in China and his service to children and students.
About 100 laypeople joined the Jesuits in Taiwan to commemorate Italian Father Francesco Belfiori at a special Nov. 23 Mass held at Sacred Heart Church, part of Jesuit-run Tien Educational Center in Taipei.
Fr Louis Gendron (CHN), in his Letter to the Province last December 3, wrote, “You may remember that last year I was looking for a good concise history of the Society in China. Fr. Freddie Deignan introduced me to a booklet of 100 pages written by Fr. Thomas Ryan and published in Hong Kong in 1964. Fr. Ryan was not a sinologist, but he was a great communicator.
The Philippine Province has redesigned its website and invites all to visit it at http://www.jesuits.ph. Aside from interesting articles, the website is unique for its daily video reflection and its “Find a Jesuit” feature. The Province News entitled Philippine Clipper can be accessed by Jesuits. Please write to socius@jesuits.ph for more information.
Biblical Liturgical Calendar 2000–2036 gives you the readings for the Mass of each day until the year 2036. By clicking on a date in this calendar you can go to the liturgical readings for that day.
In the last few weeks, Fr Bill McGarry (MIC), Assistant to the EAO Tertian Instructor, and Fr Tom Steinbugler (PHI), JCEAO Treasurer, had undergone some medical procedures and tests. Both are now recovering. Your prayers would help hasten their getting well.
Bishop Alberto Ricardo gave his consent for Father General to canonically erect the Lahane House as a Jesuit Community in preparation for its becoming a novitiate.
Bro Duong Tha departed on Sunday, October 14, for Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, where he will participate in the SEARSOLIN course at Xavier University after some months of English study.
The month of October has been one of the busiest months for the Arrupe community. From October 1 –10, Fr Adolfo Nicolas officially visited the Arrupe community, spending sufficient time for personal chat with each member of the community. Our heartfelt thanks to Fr Nicolas for listening to our concerns.
After a short break, the two ongoing programs, Pastoral Renewal and Sabbatical, resumed and will continue till December 12, 2007.
Fr Cyril Veliath (JPN), Ad-hoc Coordinator for Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, has uploaded a new web page http://pweb.cc.sophia.ac.jp/jesuit45/.
Fr Miguel Lafont‘s page contains an excellent article on the late Fr Tony De Mello, whom Miguel knew very well and whose tradition he is continuing in Japan. A few more details on the work of Fr Alex Varickamackal (KER) had been added.