Scholastics learn how to plan for disasters
25 Jan 2016

Scholastics learn how to plan for disasters

by | posted in: JCAP News, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

A more perfect learning environment would have been hard to find for the recent Scholastics and Brothers Circle meeting.  With Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for a theme, Tacloban – one of the areas hardest hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in the Philippines) in November 2013 – was the logical location.  During their workshop from December 18 and 30, the 25 Jesuit scholastics from across the Asia Pacific Conference were able to see with their own eyes the situation in Tacloban two years after the disaster.  They visited reconstructed sites, and met with local comm

Two years after Haiyan … a new life
25 Nov 2015

Two years after Haiyan … a new life

by | posted in: Province News, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

A new life. That is how Lilia Advincula of Barangay Calvary Hill in Tacloban City described her community’s situation as they commemorated the second anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) on November 8. She remembers that even before Haiyan, many residents had been jobless with a stagnant quality of living. The coming of one of the strongest typhoons in recent memory made life even harder, but the surge of support that came after enabled them to rise.

Warmly welcomed halfway across the world
25 Nov 2015

Warmly welcomed halfway across the world

by | posted in: International Works, JCAP News | 0

Fr Ignatius Tambudzai SJ of the Zimbabwe-Mozambique Jesuit Province is one of the newest members of the community in Arrupe International Residence in the Philippines. He shares this reflection on his first months living with Jesuits from different parts of the world in this international house of formation as it celebrates its 25th year.

 

Pastoral care for the families left behind by labour migration
24 Oct 2015

Pastoral care for the families left behind by labour migration

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

“I didn’t experience your caress when I was little because you left me on day one, and even up to now,” writes one student at a workshop on dealing with loneliness for children of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “But I am really longing for that time when you come home,” “and “hopefully when that time comes, I would know what it feels like to be hugged by my real mom.”

Arrupe Residence and the Parable of the Sower
28 May 2015

Arrupe Residence and the Parable of the Sower

by | posted in: International Works, JCAP News | 0

American Jesuit scholastic David Romero began his Regency in the Philippines, working with Casa Bayanihan and living in the Arrupe International Residence where the community comprises Jesuits of 15 nationalities. His year in AIR left him with a profound sense of gratitude to God for giving him and the others in the community the chance to share their lives together and for what he has learned from these relationships.

Respecting Indigenous Peoples and their beliefs
26 May 2015

Respecting Indigenous Peoples and their beliefs

by | posted in: Indigenous Ministry | 0

A new programme designed to foster understanding of Indigenous Peoples and their culture among Christian religious and laity was formally launched in April in the Philippines. The first Asia Pacific Contextual Theology Program for Engagement Project (ACOTEP) was held from April 6 to 20 in Bukidnon, after a pilot run in Bendum and Zamboanguita, Bukidnon last year.

Reflections from the Asia Pacific Tertianship
25 Mar 2015

Reflections from the Asia Pacific Tertianship

by | posted in: Formation, International Works | 0

Ten tertians from nine provinces recently completed the 2014-2015 Asia Pacific Tertianship in Manila.  For six months, from September 7, 2014 to March 6, 2015, the tertians were engaged in ministries, chosen with the guidance of their spiritual directors. These were varied and included working in prisons, migrant service, orphanages, parishes, high schools, hospitals, and with indigenous people’s ministry.

SLB renews commitment to a faith that does justice
24 Mar 2015

SLB renews commitment to a faith that does justice

by | posted in: Province News, Social Justice | 0

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), the social justice arm of the Philippine Jesuit Province marked 29 years of service to the Church and the Filipino nation recently with a week-long celebration themed “Renewing a Faith that does Justice”. 

Over the years, SLB has evolved and developed programs in response to the needs of Philippine society, and the celebration from February 21 to March 1 was an opportunity to showcase current programs and introduce new ones.

Strengthening disaster preparedness and evacuation strategies in Payatas
23 Feb 2015

Strengthening disaster preparedness and evacuation strategies in Payatas

by | posted in: Reconciliation with Creation | 0

There is an increasing focus on disaster preparedness in the Philippines, although this is happening at different levels. The general public is learning how to use the available technologies for monitoring hazards and to understand the language used. Many communities are also focused on evacuation strategies and on identifying safe centres that can be used in the event of a disaster.