The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has produced a modest 16-page annual report, simply titled “Jesuits in Asia Pacific 2012”.
“You are not forgotten,” said Aung San Suu Kyi. “Pass this message to those behind you and on to others.” Not permitted a microphone, the Burmese pro-democracy leader called out to the crowd of refugees and migrants at the border refugee encampment of Mae La in May on her first visit abroad in 24 years. Her clear message of hope quickly reached the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar citizens, who had waited decades in squalid jungle camps along the length of the 1,300 km Thai-Myanmar border.
April 15, 2010. On the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of EAPI, the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific appoints Fr Arthur Leger SJ as the next director of the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), commencing June 01, 2010. Fr Leger succeeds Fr Jeyaraj Rasiah SJ, who leaves Manila on May 19 and will assume his new role Provincial of Sri Lanka on May 24.
On December 6 Father General appointed Fr John S. Hagileiram Regional Superior of the Micronesia Region succeeding Fr Kenneth J. Hezel. Fr. Hagileiram was born in 1952 and joined the New York Province in 1975. He was ordained priest in 1985 and has worked in Micronesia for many years. At present he is the Episcopal Vicar of Yap for the diocese of the Caroline Islands and pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Palau.
(Source: S.J. Electronic Information Service, December 22, 2008)
Fr Ken Hezel (l) and Mr Mabuchi (r)
In August 2008, JESCOMEAO conducted a radio production workshop for Church media personnel in Micronesia organized by Fr Ken Hezel, Superior of the Jesuits in Micronesia. Fr Jerry Martinson (CHN), JESCOMEAO Secretary, conducted the workshop.
The school had only a few boys (and no girls) when it started in 1952 at an old bombarded Japanese Communication Centre in Chuuk State; but for its 2007-2008 academic year, it had 142 girls and boys, among the best students of Micronesia. Under the remarkable leadership of the school’s Director, Fr Arthur Leger, the school community had long prepared for and looked forward to important events which took place in and around the school’s new chapel Maria della Strada.
Nineteen members of the Region of Micronesia gathered in Pohnpei (at a renovated Pastoral Center on the ground of the former PATS) for retreat and Regional Assembly June 6th to 13th.
On Sunday evening, September 4, 2005, while he was doing sport, playing tennis, Fr. Apolinaris Thall, SJ, a Jesuit from Yap, in Micronesia, fell down and then passed away.
He was born in Juli 23, 1950, entered the Society in June 1, 1973. After some years of formation to the priesthood, he was ordained in September 4, 1983. His last assignment was as the Parish Priest of St. Mary and Joseph parish in Yap Island. We are all very sad that we are losing a Yapist Jesuit. May the good Lord receive his soul in eternal peace.