Tag: JCAP

JCAP President Fr Tony Moreno is new Chair of The Beijing Center

3Dec2019 2019-12-03 爵醒 News

Fr Tony Moreno SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP), has been named as Chair of The Beijing Center (TBC) to replace Fr Mark Raper SJ who has concluded his service as Board Chair and Board Member after a 12-year tenure. Fr Raper is currently Superior of the Myanmar Jesuit Mission and former JCAP President.

Besides Fr Moreno, Chinese Jesuit Provincial Fr Stephen Chow SJ was elected Vice Chair, a newly created position that is being proposed. Dr Thomas Poon was elected Board Member.

The election took place during the TBC Board of Directors meeting on November 18. The night prior to the meeting, the board members attended the TBC Annual Thanksgiving Dinner in honour of the service learning initiatives this semester.

The event brought together celebrated partnerships and friendships, along with the opportunity to recognise the unparalleled contribution organisations, such as Bethel China, make towards improving the lives of underprivileged and impaired children in China, with the support of partners and volunteers like TBC students and staff.

In his final speech as Chair, Fr Raper said he was grateful for the wonderful reunion between passionate individuals and organisations who continue working to provide students with quality international education.

Read more about the thanksgiving dinner here.

Ignatian Teachers’ Program in Sydney

29Nov2019 2019-11-29 爵醒 News

The Ignatian Teachers’ Program (ITP) was held on November 11 to 15 at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview in Sydney, Australia. Located near Lane Cove River, St Ignatius’ College has beautiful Jacaranda trees on the campus. Walking along the main building and the rose garden allowed each participant to savour the long tradition of this Jesuit school.

There were 18 participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Macau and Hong Kong. Most of them were experienced teachers, with a few school directors, administrators and school chaplains.

The workshop began every morning with a meaningful prayer session guided by John Gills, the school’s Director of Religious Formation. The specially designed prayers helped the participants each day to open themselves to the movements of the Holy Spirit. After all, the discernment of the Holy Spirit’s promptings is at the very core of Ignatian Spirituality, which is the basis of Jesuit Education.

On the first day, the participants were asked to reflect on the history and tradition of the Ignatian approach to teaching – or what we call Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP). The IPP pays special attention to the context of the students. Participants reflected on how the IPP enables them to accompany their students, to know their needs and to promote learning more effectively.

The most striking experience for many of the participants was the “Through the Eyes of the Student” Program. The participants shadowed a student assigned to them, learning through observation what the students experienced. It was a challenge for many because they should focus on the students without criticising them. They were not supposed to tell the students what to do. Rather, they were asked to listen and to try to find how the students felt. At the end of the day, we were all grateful for this one-day one-of-a-kind experience. We became more aware of our students’ needs and we gained new insights about learning and teaching through this unique experience.

There was also a session where participants shared their experiences and practice of the IPP in their respective schools. Aside from learning about the diverse ways IPP is implemented, the participants learned from each other. For example, students can practise the Examen in various ways depending on the school’s context. We felt encouraged that each Jesuit school was concerned about their students’ holistic growth including participation in social services for the poor in their societies.

For example, students from Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu High School are required to work in Jollibee fast food as part of their service, offering their wages to support poor families. Students from Kolese Kanisius volunteer to clean up rubbish on the public streets of Jakarta.

The participants realised not only the diversity of their situations, but also their unity as a worldwide community dedicated to a common mission. It was important to build the network of each school.

After the sharing, the educators visited the teachers of the school’s special education unit – providing yet another opportunity to learn a different way of accompanying our students.

On our last day, Jennie Hickey, Executive Director of Jesuit Education Australia, introduced the education apostolic work of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. She insisted that Jesuit education was a mission for the service of the poor as St Ignatius of Loyola and the First Companions had intended. The Society of Jesus has always worked for faith and justice.

There are many challenges in carrying out this mission as fewer Jesuits work in schools today. It is important for Ignatian educators to realise that they are called to dedicate themselves to the mission. Though our contexts are different, we still share the common mission.

We ended the five-day workshop with a Eucharistic Celebration in the school chapel. We thanked the Lord for the abundant graces that we received. Besides the formal sessions, we appreciated the informal conversations and sharing among ourselves during the breaks and over the meals. [JCAP Education]

Fr Clement Tsui SJ is the Education Delegate of the Chinese Province.

A JCAP gathering in Rome

21Nov2019 2019-11-21 爵醒 News

Jesuits from the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) who work or study in Rome got together on Sunday, October 20. Some 30 were present, including Jesuits who were visiting Rome from our conference, such as Vietnamese Provincial Fr Vincent Pham Van Mam SJ.

We began by celebrating the Eucharist in St Francis Borgia Chapel in the General Curia. The main presider was His Eminence, Jean-Claude Cardinal Hollerich SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg, who had been created a Cardinal by the Holy Father in the Consistory of October 2019. Fr Jean-Claude is a proud member of the Japanese Province! Concelebrating with him were three other JCAP Jesuits – Fr José Magadia (Regional Assistant); Fr Gino Picca, an Italian missionary and parish priest in Taiwan; and newly ordained Fr Chang-joon Lee (KOR), who studies Canon Law at the Gregorian.

In his homily, Fr Chang-joon thanked all those in JCAP who have been praying for those of us in Rome. He expressed the hope that we would be able to dedicate ourselves even more to our study and work, and so prepare ourselves as best we can for the apostolate back in JCAP, or wherever the Lord might call us for service. Myanmarese Scholastic PV Joseph, who just arrived for his theological formation here, led the singing and played the guitar. After Mass, the group went for a simple meal at a nearby Chinese restaurant.

The JCAP Jesuits in Rome are engaged in different missions. Many of us are studying in various fields, mainly at the Pontifical Gregorian University and at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (the Biblicum). Others are currently assigned in the Curia, Vatican Radio, and as professors in the Gregorian and the Biblicum. Given this diversity, it is not always easy to come together. But on this occasion, we were happy to have found time to share with each other, and be nourished by spiritual food, a solid Asian dinner and the gift of reaffirming that we remain friends in the Lord, especially being so far away from home.

Fr Benedict Jung SJ from Korea is the Regional Secretary for Asia Pacific. He led in organising this festive semestral gathering.

Prayers for Fr Nico

21Oct2019 2019-10-21 爵醒 About Us

For more than three weeks now, Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ has been in the hospital, receiving good medical treatment, and enjoying the close care of our brethren of the Japan Province. His condition is now stable. The Jesuits in Japan, the Conference of Major Superiors of Asia Pacific and the General Curia of the Society of Jesus request all Jesuits, partners in mission, and friends for prayers.

~Statement released by Fr Antoine Kerhuel SJ, Secretary of the Society of Jesus

Anthology of homilies by Fr Arnel Aquino SJ to benefit young Jesuits in Arrupe International Residence

26Sep2019 2019-09-26 爵醒 News

Jesuit Communications (JesCom) Philippines has published an anthology of the homilies of Fr Arnel Aquino SJ entitled, Empty boats…full nets. All proceeds of the book will go toward the education and training of Jesuit scholastics in Arrupe International Residence, an international work of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP).

The book contains 58 homilies arranged by evangelist and a few of them are homilies on feast days and vows. All of them draw from Fr Aquino’s life experiences throughout his nearly 30-year journey with the Society of Jesus as a musician, theologian and priest. The book aims to communicate the poignant message of a deep, personal encounter of Christ himself.

“Fr Arnel Aquino SJ demonstrates the point on preaching raised by Pope Francis… [He] elegantly writes these reflections about Jesus, faith, life and human experience using Gospel passages ‘to encourage the practice of good,’” writes JCAP Fr Tony Moreno SJ in his foreword to the book.

Fr Aquino was initially hesitant to publish a book of his homilies but finally agreed because of the cause behind its publication.

“My friends had been urging me to compile them into a book. In my head, homilies are for free. Then, we found a worthy cause for the sales of the book,” Fr Aquino, who is part of the Arrupe International Residence community, told JesCom Philippines.

The book’s sales will benefit young Jesuits from Asia Pacific, South Asia, Africa and Europe studying at Loyola School of Theology and Ateneo de Manila University, a good number of whom are on scholarship.

“It is often said that the future of the Church comes from Asia and Africa where there is growth in vocation, emerging leadership and vibrancy in the way the faith is lived,” writes Fr Moreno. “Readers of this anthology will be part of the mission to assist and accompany future church ministries in this part of the globe.”

Empty boats…full nets: an anthology of homilies is available on Jescom Philippines and at the Tanging Yaman store located on the campus of Ateneo de Manila University.

Spirit, solidarity, and sustainability among the JCAP Treasurers

16Sep2019 2019-09-16 爵醒 News

This year’s gathering of treasurers and assistant treasurers from the 12 Jesuit governance units across Asia Pacific began with a day of prayer on the Society’s Universal Apostolic Preferences. Fr Tony Moreno SJ, JCAP President, led the recollection on August 26, at Manresa Retreat Center in Changhua, Taiwan. All the participants were grateful for the opportunity to assimilate the UAPs into their life-mission to “administer the goods of the Society” for promoting the mission of reconciliation and justice. The Spirit’s invitation to renewal was palpably felt as participants shared the fruits of their prayer.

Solidarity

A heightened sense of solidarity was a fruit of the treasurers’ shared prayer. Sessions on personal and professional sharing were marked by openness and transparency, as each participant candidly disclosed both professional struggles and best practices. Four new treasurers from Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam were particularly grateful for the sharing sessions. This appreciation was expressed through comments such as: “I feel welcome here”, “Professional sharing is very helpful and inspiring“, “Inter-connected; Union of minds and hearts” and “We have become friends so we can move together in mission”. The treasurers unquestionably prized their emerging identity as companions-in-mission.

Sustainability

Another fruit of the gathering was a renewed concern for the sustainability of young missions like Myanmar, East Timor, Thailand, and Cambodia. Commitment to contribute to the JCAP Solidarity in Formation Fund was reaffirmed–even treasurers from financially struggling units committed to share, according to capacity, for solidarity’s sake.

By year 2020, the Asia Pacific Treasurers agreed to come up with guidelines and suggested practices that formation delegates can use in promoting an appreciation of both the Society’s Statutes on Religious Poverty as well as financial literacy skills. These guidelines and practices will comply with both the Code of Canon Law and Instruction on the Animation of Goods (IAG) standards. Hopefully, this common project can help in the promotion of a culture of stewardship and prepare our young men to become treasurers someday.

Fr Eric G Velandria SJ is the JCAP Treasurer and Socius.

Community as a School of Love

13Sep2019 2019-09-13 爵醒 News

Community life is inseparable from religious life. The document on Fraternal life in community: Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life describes community as “Schola Amoris,” a School of Love, “in which all learn to love God, to love the brothers and sisters with whom they live and to love humanity, which is in great need of God’s mercy and of fraternal solidarity”.

This aspect of religious life was the topic of the recent Formation for Formators workshop. Sixteen Jesuit formators from 11 countries across the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) addressed what it means to build a formative community, to reflect on their experiences of community living and to plan ways to develop their communities.

The last in a three-part series, the workshop was held on August 19 to 30 at the Seven Fountains Jesuit Retreat House in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The first workshop held in 2017 centred on “Psycho-spiritual Formation” and the second in 2018 delved on “Ignatian Spirituality in Spiritual Direction”.

This year, the discussion revolved around four areas, namely: the nature of Jesuit communities, the diversity of the members, factors that influence community dynamics and the qualities of a good formative community.

The facilitators and speakers included Fr Silvino Borres SJ, Formation Delegate of the Philippine Province, Fr Riyo Mursanto SJ, JCAP Delegate for Formation, Fr James Gascon SJ of the Center for Family Ministries, Eva Galvey and Marie Buhain of the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation, Fr Mark Raper SJ, Superior of Myanmar Mission, and Fr Sugiyo Pitoyo SJ, Superior of Thailand Region.

A good part of the workshop involved discussions on how to deal with different personalities, inter-generational dynamics and multi-cultural interaction.

“We learned a new perspective of looking at self-identity and self-concept, to see others in the community in a new way. We learned to accompany the formands, who are very diverse”, shared Fr Mursanto.

During one of the days, the group took time off from the workshop to explore Chiang Mai together. Some of them went to the local temple while others went to see the beautiful sights in the city. Unforgettable was a dinner one evening with Thai cultural performances. It was a special moment of fraternal sharing and solidarity.

Contributed by Fr Oliver Dy SJ

Renewing commitment to the mission

30Aug2019 2019-08-30 爵醒 News

“We grieve with the earth and the poor. We feel strongly that change and conversion will not take place without a real encounter with God, which also means encountering the poor,” expressed members of the social ministries network of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP).

The group comprising 24 participants from the Jesuit provinces and regions, JCAP social ministries, and regional and global networks gathered at the Formation House of Syantikara in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from August 19 to 21 for a meeting themed, “Celebrating 50 years’ journey of God’s faithfulness and discerning roadmaps for the next 10 years”.

The three-day programme was packaged in the form of workshops, individual reflections, group sharing and plenary discussions. It aimed to respond to Fr General Arturo Sosa’s call on the implementation and assimilation of the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs), as well as to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES).

JCAP President Fr Tony Moreno SJ presented extensively on the UAPs. He said: “The Preferences are not about specific ministries, but about giving orientations, guidelines to lead us into the frontier of the mission.” He also said that the UAPs do not stress on a priority, for example education, but instead are “orientations that call out to what stimulates or burns our heart or passion”. In this way the UAPs are not just about the Society’s mission, but they concern the Society’s life. “The UAPs should help our heart to burn in doing God’s mission,” said Fr Moreno.

After reflecting on and discussing the UAPs as orientations for the social apostolate, the participants shared their past and current social ministries, their graces, their challenges, new opportunities in light of the UAPs and possibilities for collaboration. Limited personnel and resources are the common challenges that surfaced. The participants feel strongly that ecology and the climate crisis are the burning issues that need to be addressed fearing a wave of migration that can ensue from the problem.

Fr Fernando Azpiroz SJ and Julie Edwards guided the participants on how to do spiritual discernment in the daily affairs of their social ministries. Fr Azpiroz presented the methodology which involved asking “who, why, what and how”, while Edwards presented a framework for internalising discernment. The framework consists of human spirit, practice framework and business process rooted in Ignatian tradition and Catholic Social Teaching.

“Discernment is an application of finding God in all things,” said Edwards. Explaining the framework, she said: “In terms of human spirit, we can look back on experiences that can influence discernment in our context. We can also consider what we have done and what have happened in the last decade that disturb our heart and help us to think about how to reconcile them. In the light of Ignatian tradition, we look at all these issues and how they are part of our life. Business process is about figuring out our resources, including how we communicate with people.”

SJES Secretary Fr Xavier Jeyaraj SJ graced the meeting with his presentation on the spirit of the 50th anniversary of SJES. Referring to Leviticus 25, Fr Jeyaraj reflected on what a golden jubilee means. “Fifty years mean we have to renew our commitment to the challenge of the mission of our vocation in order to be with God, where we want to go,” said Fr Jeyaraj. He shared about the goal, objectives and desired outcomes of the jubilee year celebration themed, “A journey of justice and reconciliation: 50 years and beyond”.

The meeting culminated with the formulation of the Conference Statement and Call to Action, and plans to commemorate the 50th Golden Jubilee at the province/region and conference levels. All the participants felt called to conversion arising from the Universal Apostolic Preferences and the 50th Anniversary of the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat.

Click here to read the complete statement of the JCAP Secretariat for Social Ministries.

JesCom Philippines leads workshop for CPA-Timor Leste

23Aug2019 2019-08-23 爵醒 News

Jesuit Communications Foundation (JesCom), the media arm of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, conducted a training workshop on documentary scriptwriting and financial management for the staff of Casa de Produção Audiovisual (CPA), the Jesuit film production studio in Timor-Leste.

Executive Director Fr Emmanuel Alfonso SJ said that an integral part of JesCom Philippines’ responsibility as Secretariat for Social Communications of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) is to assist its affiliate organisations in the conference.

The five-day workshop, held from August 12 to 16 at Ateneo de Manila University, took CPA’s new producers, graphic illustrators and treasurer, headed by Scholastic Rui Nunes Muakandala SJ, through the ropes of documentary scriptwriting, financial management, Quickbooks and Adobe Premier operations.

JesCom Finance and Administrative Manager Jennifer Chua said that a step-by-step approach proved beneficial in helping the East Timorese staff improve their working knowledge of accounting and finance, especially the use of relevant software.

“I gave them an overview of financial management, its importance, understanding accounts, financial planning, financial monitoring and internal controls. I was able to share with them some of the best practices that they can apply to their organisation,” said Chua.

“It was important to show them one by one all the features and functions of Quickbooks and how they are applicable to their day-to-day operations,” she added.

Meanwhile, JesCom Creative Director Pauline Mangilog-Saltarin’s objective was to teach the participants scriptwriting techniques for documentaries, which the CPA staff could immediately put to use in writing and producing their own films during their Manila visit, and upon returning home.

“The staff were all very receptive. I could tell that they really wanted to learn and expand their knowledge in scriptwriting and production,” said Mangilog-Saltarin.

The opportunity to help in the development and growth of its partner organisations in the JesCom network in Asia Pacific reflects JesCom Philippines’ leadership and commitment to its ministry of media evangelisation.

“For the past few years JesCom Philippines has been at the forefront of training JCAP members,” shared Mangilog-Saltarin. “I think sharing our knowledge and best practices to other countries is indicative of how JesCom, as a Jesuit institution, is fulfilling its mandate and vision.”

By Anthony Perez, JesCom Philippines

The Gospel in action in Taiwan

4Aug2019 2019-08-04 爵醒 News

“Choosing life in a context filled with fear and anger and insecurity seems like a daunting task. But it is not impossible – not for followers of Christ.” This was Fr General Arturo Sosa’s message in his homily for the advance celebration of the Feast of St Ignatius in Taipei.

The Superior General of the Society of Jesus visited Taiwan from July 27 to 29 accompanied by his Regional Assistants Fr Jojo Magadia SJ for Asia Pacific and Fr Vernon D’Cunha SJ for South Asia, as well as Fr Pierre Bélanger SJ of the Jesuit Communication team in Rome and Fr Stephen Chow SJ, the Chinese Provincial.

Fr Sosa’s message to never lose faith, despite the difficulties was the main takeaway of his entire trip to the country. “Deuteronomy mentions two actions”, he shared. “‘Choose life’, it says, and then right after that, you are told, first, ‘to love the Lord your God’ and second, ‘to walk in his ways’.”

In his meeting with the Magis youth in the Tien Educational Center, Fr Sosa encouraged the young people not to be afraid to face the world, even to change it, to keep walking ahead because God would be always be with them as a beacon to guide them.

The Superior General was able to see how this courageous faith is being lived out in the social apostolates of the Jesuits in Taiwan. On his first day in Taipei he went to the Rerum Novarum Social Service Center founded by Fr José Ellacuría SJ in 1971. Over the years as society has changed, Rerum Novarum’s services have expanded from low-paid, overworked labourers to migrant workers in Taiwan and migrant workers on fishing boats subject to unequal treatment. The centre manifests the Gospel in action. Fr Sosa showed particular concern for the migrant fishermen.

In Chutung, an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Taipei where Jesuits have served the indigenous populations since the 1950s, Fr General experienced the culture of aboriginal Christians. He concelebrated the Sunday Mass which was a showcase of multiculturality with parishioners who are Han Chinese, Hakka people, Atayal and Saisiyat indigenous peoples, and migrants from Vietnam and the Philippines. Next to the church, there was a display of indigenous hunting and other tools. Fr Sosa wore an aboriginal jacket and tried to draw a bow.

Many other meetings were held to enable Fr Sosa to get to know the Jesuits and partners involved with the work of the Society of Jesus in Taiwan. His audience with lay collaborators included no less than the Vice President of Taiwan, Chen Chien-jen. They shared with Fr General how they live out and promote the Universal Apostolic Preferences. In his address to the teachers and students of Fu Jen Faculty of Theology of St Robert Bellarmine, Fr Sosa praised the theologate for nurturing men and women able to take on a variety of responsibilities within the Church. He also had an opportunity to meet the apostolic mission collaborators of the Jesuits at Fu Jen Catholic University and got to know their work.

Fr General’s visitations are of course opportunities to strengthen Jesuit brotherhood. Before he ended his trip, Fr Sosa paid a visit to the elderly Jesuits in St Joseph’s Province Infirmary. Then he spoke to the Jesuits in Taiwan and presided at a Mass with them.

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