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".
On July 31, Sch J Jiang forwarded this message: Today, the Scholastics and Brothers’ Circle of our Assistancy organized the Sports Fest. More than one hundred fifty Scholastics, Novices and pre-novices participated in this gathering. There are winners and losers after each game, but after all, we are all winners in the Lord and share the joyful moment together. Each year many new faces appear. We cherish the spirit of union in the Lord and praise the works of God among us.
Fr. Mario Francisco, after a one-year sabbatical in the US, officially started his term as President of the Loyola School of Theology upon his investiture last June 27.
The Arrupe House community, together with friends from the Ateneo University academe and Jesuit houses, bid farewell to Fr. John Mace last May 30.
Arrupe House warmly received Sch. Hieu Bui Cong (GER) last May 26. It may be recalled that Sch. Hieu had a very serious bicycle accident on February 7, 2005. He underwent a four-and-a-half hours of brain surgery, stayed in the ICU for a week, and was discharged from the hospital on February 28. As soon as he was physically able, he went to Germany for physical therapy.
The two-week local superiors’ workshop at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), Manila conducted by JCEAO ended last May 6, 2006. It closed with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr Nicolás. There were 23 participants from 11 different nationalities, all Jesuits working in the East Asia and Oceania region.
The First Vows held last Sunday, May 7 at the Infant Jesus Chapel, Payaphyu, Taunggyi was an occasion that was simple, yet full of fun and great joy. Fr Paul Pollock was there. And so were Fr Peter Kim and Sch Valerio Rereh. Many family members and friends showed up. After the ceremony, they all shared a picnic-type of refreshment under the green trees, which are now plentiful. On behalf of our brothers in Myanmar, Fr Ignatius Wardi Saputra thanked everyone for your prayers.
The East Asian Theological Encounter Program is a first in South East Asia that provides an environment for Jesuit Scholastics to get together, to live and do theology together, and to contextualize the encounter in an Asian context with its varied realities, focusing in one form of Buddhism (Thai Buddhism). This is done more on the practical level of dialoguing, discussing, exchanging and deepening views than on the theoretical level of gathering information.