Early May, the JCEAO consultants—Frs. Matthias Chae Joon-ho, Priyono Marwan, Philip Heng, Mario Francisco, and Pham Minh-Uoc—came together for a two-day consultation with Fr. Adolfo Nicolás at the JCEAO office. Most of the Agenda was about the preparation of the coming meeting of Major Superiors and of Major Superiors with the Electors for GC35 in July.
Fr John Mace just appointed Fr Emil Denemark (KOR) as local treasurer, replacing Fr Dibyawiyata (IDO) who will leave for a year’s sabbatical at the beginning of August.
The Indonesian Province happily sends 15 new regents this year to various apostolates. Five of them are missioned to Cambodia, Micronesia, Pakistan and Thailand. The others will spend their regency in university (Yogyakarta), student ministry (Jakarta), technical training center (Jakarta), high schools (Jakarta, Mertoyudan/Central Java and Nabire/West Papua), vocational school (Semarang), minor seminaries (Jakarta and Mertoyudan), and parishes (Tarutung/North Sumatra and Yogyakarta).
The celebration last May 27 for Fr Sugiyo Pitoyo’s final vows went very well, and gave much consolation and happiness to all present. Almost all of the Jesuits residing in Thailand were able to attend; several priests from the Major Seminary came; and the church at Xavier Hall was full. There was an enjoyable dinner for the Jesuit community & close friends afterwards.
Fr Louis Robert (CHN) was SELA (Socio-Economic Life in Asia) Committee Secretary from 1977-83, missionary to Vietnam and long-time refugee worker. He is now the Parish Priest of the Church of Saint Roque, Champagneur Street, Park Extension Sector, Montreal.
During the night, the presbytery of the Church was consumed by flames. Four persons lived there, including Fr Robert. All are safe and sound. The material damage is great. The Church next door did not receive any damage.
Fr Christopher Spalatin (KOR) joined the staff of Arrupe International Residence last May 28. He will be one of the spiritual fathers of the scholastics. We are very grateful to the Korean Province for their generosity in allowing Fr Spalatin to help in the formation of our brothers.
After attending a meeting of Treasurers and visiting his family and friends, Fr Tom Steinbugler came back to Manila last May 26, fully refreshed and ready to tackle the financial challenges of the Assistancy once again.
Last April 22, Edgerio Martins, Julio Sousa, Marito Monteiro and Silvestre de Jesus officially began their two years of novitiate in Singapore.
The residents of Arrupe House prepared a warm reception for Fr Koichi Matsumoto as he arrived May 1, with a simple turnover ceremony lead by Fr Momose. We thank Fr Momose for his willingness to run the house at the time when the Assistancy was looking for its Rector. And we pray for Fr Matsumoto, and the staff of Arrupe, who will need all the help in taking care of about sixty scholastics.