The first AIR community, which included current Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr Antonio Moreno SJ, current Malaysia-Singapore Regional Superior Fr Colin Tan SJ, and then AIR Rector Fr William McGarry SJ
Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr Antonio Moreno SJ was a member of the first Arrupe International Residence community. As AIR celebrates its 25th anniversary, he shares some of graces and challenges of living in the multicultural Jesuit house of formation that AIR was established to be.
We were the first occupants of Arrupe International Residence (AIR). Majority of the residents were from the Malaysia-Singapore Region. It was a deeply multicultural and multi-racial community. The international character of the community enriched our love for the Society of Jesus and our vocation. Diversity was something we celebrated, although admittedly there were challenges, misunderstandings and conflicts arising from our differences. Culture shaped our interaction, our sense of community and even our way of taking care of the house.
One complained strongly that there was no beer in the fridge. But that was to be expected since he comes from a nation of beer drinkers. One complained to me accusing a member of not cleaning the toilet well. But, perhaps, our standards of cleanliness were shaped by culture. Since we were just beginning a new life as a community, we had a lot to learn from each other. Fr William McGarry SJ, the first Rector of AIR, was the right person to lead the community. It was a happy community, but not without conflicts from time to time. I think the morale of the community, by and large, was relatively high.
We learned to be more tolerant and understanding of each other. Accepting our differences and respecting each other’s culture made our community lighter.
I wish that the AIR community will be more enriched by the presence of other formands from Africa and Asia (outside of the Asia Pacific Conference). There are very few Jesuit international formation houses whose residents come from so many nations. AIR, as it celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year, takes pride in producing so many Jesuits from various Provinces and Regions. I wish the formands will capitalise their international connections to advance the mission of the Society for the greater glory of God.
Arrupe International Residence celebrates its Silver Jubilee in 2015. Read about AIR’s 25th anniversary celebration here.
Read the reflection of another AIR resident in its early years: Formators and Formation at AIR by Fr Norris Seenivasan SJ
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