Thank you so much!
Thank you for your concern, prayers and support
for the victims of the flood brought about
by Tropical Storm Ketsana (‘Ondoy’) in the Philippines.
Ordinations in Taipei and in Manila
On September 12, Filipino scholastics Cristopher Fajardo, Joseph Haw Jr., Gilbert Emmanuel Levosada, Marlito Ocon, Alberto Paurom, Roy Cenon Ragas, and Karel San Juan were ordained deacons at the Church of the Gesu, Ateneo de Manila. The ordaining Prelate was Most Reverend Francisco Claver, S.J., D.D., Emeritus Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe.
Manila to Copenhagen, via Myanmar and Louisiana
Flooding in Manila is not a surprise and the extent of it should not be surprising either if we pay any attention to what we are hearing about climate change every day. The problem is we don’t know where it will hit exactly and how and when. Though there is much local adaptation, many people still get caught unfortunately in deadly circumstances. We do not adequately know our landscape and susceptibility to flooding and we are not adequately relocating peoples’ lives and livelihoods. People in Manila might be led to believe this is the worst, but we are far from it.
Father General’s trip to the Philippines and Indonesia
From 11 – 14 July Father General will visit the Philippine Province to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the return of the Jesuits to the country (see further on) and the founding of what is today the Ateneo de Manila University. In 1768, the Jesuits of the Philippine Province, 154 in all, were expelled by order of King Charles III of Spain. They returned almost a hundred years later, in 1859, with the intention of evangelizing the southern island of Mindanao. Besides undertaking this pioneering missionary work, in December of the same year they assumed responsibility for the Escuela Pia, later renamed Ateneo Municipal. The present day Ateneo de Manila University has a student population of over 18.000. The Sesquicentennial Anniversary Eucharistic celebration will be held on July 12; Father General will be the principal celebrant. About 4.000 people, including 200 Jesuits, are expected to participate. The next day Father Nicolás will deliver the keynote address on: "Issues and challenges in Jesuit education today" before a group of Jesuits and their lay collaborators from the five universities, one college and other schools of the Philippine Province.
Media pioneer passes torch to fellow broadcaster
MANILA (UCAN) — American Jesuit Father James Reuter, who built the Catholic radio broadcasting system in the Philippines and laid the foundations for the bishops’ national media network, has retired.
Filipino Jesuit part of the TED Global Fellows 2009
Fr Xavier Alpasa(PHI), social entrepreneur; pastor; director, Loyola College Culion; founder, Rags2Riches, a business bridging the marginalized and fashion worlds was chosen as one of the TED Global Fellows for 2009.
Six Filipino deacons ordained
On April 4, the Church of Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University, was overflowing as many came to witness the ordination to the priesthood of Xavier Alpasa, Francis Alvarez, Jason Dy, Oliver Dy, Frank Dennis Savadera,
Jem Guevara’s Priestly Ordination & Thanksgiving Mass
Last August 15, Rev. Jerome Emmanuel Guevara was ordained to the priesthood in the Oratory of St. Ignatius de Loyola, Loyola House of Studies (LHS), Philippines. The ordination started at 2p.m. and was presided by the Arch. of Cagayan de Oro, His Eminence Antonio J. Ledesma, DD. Since Jem was a former Arrupean, the Arrupe International Residence (AIR) Community came to witness the momentous event. Chinese delegates from Taiwan also came to join the celebration. After the mass, a simple refreshment followed at the Richie Fernando Covered Court near LHS.
Vows and Ordinations
Fr Paul Kriangyot Piyawanno (TAI) will take his final vows in the Society of Jesus on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at Xavier Hall Chapel, Bangkok, at the Eucharistic celebration at 6:00 p.m.
Fr Danny Huang’s new appointment
Fr Daniel Huang, Philippine Provincial, was appointed as one of General Counselors of Father General, and Regional Assistant for East Asia and Oceania. Fr. General gave him up to about a year to prepare for this new assignment. After the General Congregation, Fr Huang will go home, to tie up loose ends, but mostly, to set in motion the search process for a new Provincial. During this period, he may attend some meetings in Rome.