Micronesian school moves into its own campus
16 Sep 2012

Micronesian school moves into its own campus

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After a year in borrowed space at St Mary’s Parish and grammar school, Yap Catholic High School (YCHS) opened its new campus with a celebratory mass on August 19.  About 300 people made their way to Lamar for the official opening celebration.

Father John Hagileiram SJ, Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Micronesia, presided at a Mass of Thanksgiving.  “This is a historic day,” he reminded the congregation, “on which we should all be proud of what we have achieved together with God’s help.” 

Rare books about China from Boston College’s Jesuitica Collection now online
20 Aug 2012

Rare books about China from Boston College’s Jesuitica Collection now online

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Fr Jeremy Clarke SJ, an Australian Jesuit and assistant professor of history at Boston College in the United States, has launched Beyond Ricci, www.bc.edu/beyondricci, a searchable website that provides scholars and researchers access to books containing historical narratives, maps, correspondence and musical compositions in five languages that depict life in China in early modern

Timor Leste immersion
18 Aug 2012

Timor Leste immersion

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Students and teachers from Jesuit and Partner Schools across Australia took part in a Timor Leste Immersion over the school holidays in July.  A group of 16 students from eight schools, with three teachers, participated in the programme. Stella Korlaki, a teacher at Xavier Catholic College in Hervey Bay, describes their experience.

We arrived in Darwin in two different groups. Little did we know that we would develop close and supportive friendships through our shared encounters in East Timor.

Collaboration key to addressing the challenges facing Jesuit educators
18 Aug 2012

Collaboration key to addressing the challenges facing Jesuit educators

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For the first time in the history of the Society, Jesuit educators across of the world gathered for an International Colloquium on Jesuit Secondary Education.  The intent of the Colloquium was to strengthen the network by providing a platform to share ideas, discuss common strengths and challenges, examine our Jesuit mission and identity, and focus on how Jesuit school educators can prepare students to become global leaders.  Australian Jesuit Fr Quyen Vu, who has been missioned to work on the education project in Timor Leste, reflects on his experience.

Breaking ground
17 Jul 2012

Breaking ground

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The Jesuits in Timor Leste marked a major milestone on July 14 when they broke ground for the educational institute they are building in Kasait, 18 km west of Dili.

Construction of phase 1 of Instituto de Educação Jesuíta is scheduled to begin at the end of July.  The first phase consists of what is needed for the secondary school unit of the institute to open in time for the new school year in January 2013 – the road and entrance, some classrooms and other teaching facilities, and an administration block.

Where the Church can serve in Myanmar
17 Jul 2012

Where the Church can serve in Myanmar

by | posted in: Education, Interreligious Dialogue, Migration, Social Justice | 0

Myanmar is at a crossroads; an exciting point in its history as a nation. One of the poorest, most ethnically diverse and conflict-prone societies in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is now emerging from decades of isolation. Changes are afoot, as the release, election to parliament and recent travel abroad of Aung San Suu Kyi demonstrate.  A parliament is in place; interim elections passed without major offences. Many political prisoners have been released.  The demands to halt construction of the Irrawaddy Dam project appear to have been heeded. 

JCAP releases report for 2012
26 Jun 2012

JCAP releases report for 2012

by | posted in: Education, International Works, Migration, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has produced a modest 16-page annual report, simply titled “Jesuits in Asia Pacific 2012”. 

A simple man
23 Jun 2012

A simple man

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Fr Pierre Ceyrac SJ died in Chennai late last month at the age of 98. He was one of the most remarkable Jesuits I have met. Several entries in Wikipedia refer to him, always as ‘the famous Pierre Ceyrac’. This epithet usually designates someone with a well-crafted public personality. Pierre was different. He was so totally transparent that he invited everyone he met into his inner self. That is why he became so widely known and loved.