‘By the end of my Indonesian Immersion Experience, I knew that I had found what I was looking for’, writes Erina Sharp, one of a group of young adults who recently travelled to Yogyakarta with MAGiS, the Ignatian young adult ministry. Here, Erina recounts an experience which enabled her to overcome obstacles and, in so doing, learn something new about herself.
A group of scholastics recently spent four days with some communities in Wonosobo District uplands learning about how local families draw a livelihood from the land while keeping a forest canopy that protected the soil, water and nutrient cycles. In … Continued
Rampant consumerism and religious extremism pose a dual threat to Indonesia's national character; Fr Franz Magnis-Suseno (IDO) of Jakarta's Driyarkara School of Philosophy warned speaking to about 80 participants at a June 2 symposium in Jakarta organized by the Democratic National, an organization dedicated to creating integral freedom in Indonesia.
To promote a Jesuit's capacity to enter into dialogue with Muslims, the Conference has set up a new program, the Asia Pacific Theological Encounter Program on Islam.
Fresh faces are filling up the novitiates across Asia Pacific. Last February, Korea accepted five novices. In March, Indonesia welcomed 12 and Australia has three. Philippines has added five. And by the end of April, three more will be in the Myamar Novitiate. Thank you God for these abundant gifts!
In early July 2009, eighteen Jesuit scholastics studying philosophy in Jakarta travelled twelve hours by road to an Islamic boarding school in Salatiga in the Province of Central Java. Accompanied by two Jesuit priests – Frs. YB Heru Prakosa and Greg Soetomo – they were on their way to living in that boarding house with Muslim Clerics. Is this kind of engagement significant? What is the purpose of involvement in the Muslim community?
Fr Pedro Walpole (PHI), through his engagement with Asia Forest Network (AFN), had an opportunity to follow up on the actions agreed upon during the Jesuit Conference Social Ministries meeting in Manila last August. In October 2009, with Rowena Soriaga of AFN, he visited several Jesuits in Indonesia interested in contributing to a network of people currently involved in environment related activities.
Fr Martin Suhartono will be returning to Thailand, where the entire region will all surely be glad to welcome him. For now, he will be assigned to Xavier Hall, and have a chance to brush up his Thai. He is expected to arrive on November 1 (All Saints Day!). With many thanks to Fr Riyo Mursanto, provincial of Indonesia, for his generosity in remembering Thailand.
Twenty-nine Jesuit Brothers gathered in Yogyakarta, Indonesia last 15 – 21 July. Sixteen of them came from provinces outside Indonesia.
They shared common experiences regarding vocation promotion, formation, and identity. For their reflection points on the theme Our identity and mission in the light of GC35, they were guided by Fr Paul Wiryono Priyatamtama (IDO), Bro James Boynton (DET), Fr Danny Huang (PHI), and Fr Joe Daoust (DET).
During the month of July, as mentioned in previous editions of the S.J. Electronic Information Service, Father General made two important trips. One of them was in Asia where he visited the Philippines, (the occasion was the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the return of the Jesuits to the country), and Indonesia, for the 150th anniversary of the “modern” presence of the Society of Jesus in that nation. We present here his responses to our questions.