The month of November has been a month of blessings for the Arrupe International Residence Community in many ways.
In the first week of the month the Rector, Fr Matsumoto (JPN), and Fr Jimmy Meehan (PHI) made their annual retreat. In the absence of Fr. Matsumoto, Fr Bill Currie (JPN) led the community as an acting rector.
On November 12 we started our classes and life began to move as usual.
“You will be very busy. Please, give us the honor of washing your laundry for you.” With such a gracious greeting we were welcomed to Vietnam’s Curia, and the hospitality only grew from day to day.
Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, gave this message of gratitude last July 14, 2007 on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Jesuits’ return to serve the Church of Vietnam.
Your Eminence,
Your Excellencies,
Representatives of various levels of the Civil Authorities,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Dear Friends:
Once again, major superiors from East Asia and Oceania came face to face to discuss common concerns and issues relevant to the region. This time, they met in Sydney, Australia last January 29 to February 2. The group welcomed its latest member, Fr. John Mace (WIS), Major Superior of the East Timor Region. Their meeting was graced by the presence of Frs. Maria Anthony and Renato Zecchin who provided information on Pakistan. The contributions of Ms. Jenni Winters and Mr.
The Our Lady of Fatima Residence community played the gracious host to the meeting of the Major Superiors last July 11–16.
Sch John Lester O. Tajon (PHI) sent this write-up last July 19. On June 1, during his homily, Fr. Tom O’Gorman aptly described the current atmosphere of Arrupe International Residence in two words, "arrival and departure".