December 2009 Newsletter

Vol. 24 No. 11

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Communications from the Curia, Rome

Modifications in the Secretariats: In a letter addressed to the whole Society on 13 November 2009, Fr. General writes: “The current number of the Apostolic Secretariats will be retained with some important modifications. Three Secretaries (for Higher Education and Intellectual Apostolate, for Ignatian Spirituality and for Justice and Ecology [new name] will reside in Rome and operate out of the Curia. The other 3 will reside in their Provinces and operate out of their apostolic base; these are the Secretaries for Primary and Secondary Education, for Social Communication and for Dialogue with other Religions.” For the last Secretariat three persons are named: “a Secretary for Dialogue with Hinduism in India, one for Islam in the Middle East or South East Asia, and one for Buddhism in East Asia.”

Fr. General continues: “Besides the Secretaries we will continue to have in Rome three Delegates for special Apostolates (JRS, CLC, Apostleship of Prayer), who will no longer be called Secretaries, but Apostolic Delegates. They will reside in the general Curia and will be members with the Secretaries, for the Extended Council. All the resident Secretaries and Delegates will have a small council of three or four persons who will accompany them in their reflection and discernment. In each team there will be at least one General Counselor. These changes will take place as soon as Jesuits are named for these positions.”

“…In response to Decree 5 of GC 35, I have decided to form 3 Commissions. One will work with the Formulae of the General Congregation, the Provincial Congregation and the Congregation of the Procurators. The second will reflect on the criteria and processes needed for the Reorganization of Provinces.

The third will do a revision of the Administrative document Practica Quaedam.’

At the end of the letter Fr. General emphasized that “the well being of the Society does not depend on our ability to plan, organize or rationalize our life. It is rather our obedience to the Spirit of the Lord, to our Ignatian way of proceeding, to inner freedom and love of Christ that will keep us full of joy and hope and with the desire to help others in the Church and at the frontiers.”

Appointment: In a letter addressed to all the Major Superiors on 23 November 2009, Fr. General announced the appointment of Fr. J. Thomas McClain, (DET) as the next General Treasurer of the Society.

Mark Your Calendar

Education Apostolate Meeting, 2010:
Date: 15-17 January, Venue: St. Xavier’s, Jawalakhel

Region Days, 2010:
Date: 27-29 May Venue: Ashram, Godavari

AROUND THE REGION

St. Xavier’s, Jawalakhel

For the first time in the history of SXJ, our Girls’ football team won a football tournament that was organized by Brihaspati School. The first batch of SXJ girls will graduate this academic year. On 14 November, the school had a grand Senior Sports’ day. Many parents turned up for the occasion and the parents’ team in fact won the tug of war and relay race. The teachers’ team including Augustine, Boniface and Raja managed to come third in the relay race. The Junior Sports’ day is scheduled for 28th of November.

We hosted a joint school (SXJ, SXG, Rosebud and Kathmandu University High school) sports activity day on 21 November. The games included football in three different fields and basketball in three different courts simultaneously. On 22 November, around 110 teachers from 4 different schools gathered in SXJ (St. Mary’s School, Jawalakhel, Don Bosco School, Lubu, SXG and SXJ) for a staff seminar on motivation. Seven of our students went to Lucknow to attend the 12th International Students’ Quality Control Circle on 30 November, accompanied by a teacher.

Marty Coyne reports: “Recent developments in the counselling department include a make-shift lie detector, occasioned by the facts which follow this sentence – based on the suspicion that every lie detector works by the one being tested suffering from a sudden rise in blood pressure and pulse rate when telling outright lies – the drawback came while I was monitoring a girl while holding her wrist as we delved deeper and deeper into some of her recent doings – until the machine blew a fuse – but the doctor says I should be all right after a few days rest.  (Please note that the second sentence is about to begin.)  On a Friday I sat with a group of six boys from class seven who assured me that a class ten boy was still extorting cash from them.

During the lunch break this class ten boy brought these tattle tales back and stood by while they admitted that it was not entirely true, but they were convinced by another classmate of theirs to be the bearers of the tainted tale.  By three-thirty the two tall tail tellers were back at my side with the news that they had mis-named the basic culprit and really (!) it was one of the original group who it seems is a compulsive, died in the wool liar down to the very malicious marrow of his bones.  My current conclusion, matched by my firm, native skepticism – no one should believe anyone else on the face of what is reported . . . about any matter . . . whenever it happens . . . present matter excluded, of course.”

After a refreshing home visit Cap returned to Pokhara through Kathmandu. It was nice to have Cap with us on his return from the States. We also had Mike Parent visiting us from Tibet. Mike’s departure after two weeks of stay with us left us with no choice but to miss him around. Our prayers go with you Mike. Besides the house Minister’s responsibility, Irenius is occupied with the school as a full time teacher. What keeps all of us fit and healthy is the new shuttle court in the community compound. We enjoy our evenings together playing badminton.  Sanjay has started to drive and helps out the school and the community in all the ways he can. Raja is involving himself more and more into the scholarship program, visiting scholarship children’s families, visiting the hostel regularly and meeting with the parents of some of the students. - Irenius

St. Xavier’s, Godavari

Paul Chemparathy made a short visit to Narayanghat, Chitwan and Gorkha. It was a visit to see the latest situations in these places that he had not visited for last 7 years. He was very glad to see the Little Flower School that he had initiated to start, blossoming. It is now the best school in Narayanghat and the lay co-founders of the school continue with their strong support to the CST Fathers. He addressed the assembly of the students and staff and gave a workshop to teachers on leadership. His brief visit to Chitwan was to meet an old friend. He had lunch in the resort and returned. He lost his old glasses in this trip and had to have an emergency purchase of a new one. His trip to Chepang village was a fruitful one. First, Frs. Jojo and Cherian took him to the newly bought sight, 17 k.m. towards Tadi from Narayanghat on the highway. It is a huge property meant to develop the centre for the poor Chepang people. Then they visited the 150 children in a rented facility some 6 k.m. away, where the Charity Sisters and Fr. Michael do a great work with the poor.

While returning, he attended the Parents Day programme of the St. Joseph’s School, Gorkha where the whole school put up a three and a half hours programme. The DEO was the Chief Guest and sat through the whole time. The CDO of Gorkha also was present. Both Frs. Denis and Jomon were happy to have some outside representation.

Our eight candidates from Pokhara stayed with different families in Myandada, Godavari for three weeks. Sch. Peter Chettri made his annual retreat under the direction of Paul. Likewise, Sr. Brigit, RGS, Opportunity Village, Pokhara stayed with us to make her Silver Jubilee retreat.

On October 31, we had our II Term Report Card distribution. Performance of the students at junior school was very heartening. The result showed that some students of middle and senior school need more motivation.

On November 4, four of our class 9 students along with Mr. Laxman Gurung, the Vice Principal, went to Netherlands for the International Students Exchange Programme.

They stayed in Netherlands for three weeks. They returned on November 26 with a very rich experience and many things to share.

We had our Annual Sports Day on November 13 and 14. Many parents were present for the Sports Day on both the days. Their august presence was a great encouragement for the students and support to the school. There were a few events for the parents and teachers. In parents and teachers 400 meters relay, both the male and female teachers’ teams proved that they are still young and energetic. However, in parents and teachers tug of war, boththe male and female parents’ team proved to be stronger than the teachers. In a way both parents and teachers didn’t lose, since each team won an event.

Our junior boys’ basketball and senior girls’ football teams participated in Brihaspati School Silver Jubilee Celebration Basketball and Girls’ Football Tournament. Though both the teams couldn’t reach very far, they had a good exposure. On November 20, Sr. Immaculada and Sr. Germi, Sisters of Charity of St. Anne visited our school. Both of them are the General Counselors for Education in Spain and India respectively. On November 21, our students participated in the Joint School Sports Activities at St. Xavier’s Jawalakhel.

These days we are busy preparing for School (Xavier’s) Day Celebration and 14th Fr. Moran Memorial Football Tournament. This year fifteen teams are contesting for Fr. Moran Memorial Football Trophy. Mercury in Godavari is dropping rapidly. Unlike yesteryears, cold has begun early this year. People predict there might be a snowfall this year in Godavari. – Amrit

St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar

This time the star of attraction in the house is E.C., the Superior. The life is not all that easy for him these days. After conquering the Annapurna base camp, he found himself enjoying the comforts of B&B hospital with a lacerated knee. He had an arthroscopic operation on his right knee on the 19th of November. Now he is back at home recuperating slowly but steadily though his constant companions are two walking sticks in the right hand and a pair of crutches under the armpits.

Meetings are galore for Antonysamy. He made two trips to India, first to Chennai and then to Delhi in his capacity as the Principal of the college. When he returned to Nepal he had a few meetings waiting here; one in the City Hall on Inter-religious dialogue and two others in the college asking the Management Board and the Administrative Staff to brazen up for the impending University Status.

Campion house is occasionally seen bustling with life and laughter. We had a number of distinguished guests to dine with us. The noted ones among them were two Professors from the New York University, Dr. V.C. Larson and Dr. Gary Smiths seeking collaboration with our Social Work Department.

Our regular Korean Visitor, Daniel Chi is around with his glowing smiles and promising Pokhara programs. The presence of the Kamal Niwas, Sanepa, Jawans added spice to the day’s fellowship on 27th of November. The scale of mean age of the community dipped sharply for two hours with their youthful presence.

In the college front, a spate of exams just got over and now the spring of Graduation has set in. The students of ISc., BSW and BIM are gearing up to the stage to wave the flag of success with applause and accolades. BIM this year has an impressive result of 29 distinctions, 4 first divisions and 2 back papers. Congratulations to all who made this happen! – Paul Jhapa

November was Provincial’s Month in Jhapa. Jim Webb arrived on the first to visit Bill, the third Canadian Provincial to do so. A week later, Peter Pappu (DAR) crossed the border for a rare visit with Mike Parent. Jenny Cafiso, the Director of Canadian Jesuits International, travelled with Jim. They visited the schools and a tea garden, and P.S. Amalaraj gave them a thorough briefing on the JRS ministry. Peter Lepcha (DAR), on retreat at Maheshpur, met Jim and Jenny.

The Maheshpur high school students ended the Tihar vacation with field trips; classes eight and ten to a temple north of Dharan, with Clarence, and class nine to Science City at Matigara. Roy led them and also took them to Jesu Ashram where they wondered at the good work the Ashram does for the poor.

The schools then settled down to four weeks of academic work in preparation of the second term examinations. Deonia lost three class days to local strikes, but Maheshpur gave in only once, the day the President opened the Birtamod eye hospital. George is busy keeping the various Deonia programs going. Ignatius and Sanctius back up the Maheshpur team.

All the work was not with books, however. Maheshpur hosted an exhibition. Students were busy teaching science to one another, especially to the Deonia students who were amazed at the quality of the exhibits. Deonia students will have a chance to show their academic skills in January. Both schools are busy preparing for Parents Days. Alan and Hermon took the Deonia class seven students to Suryodaya School, Damak, where the Cluny Sisters hosted them for an afternoon of games. On the way home, the group stopped at Jamuna Bari to see caged pythons and a leopard. Deonia students took part in a local badminton tournament, and reached second place in the girls’ single and boys’ double games.

David is busy coordinating parish activies. Several bus loads of our parishioners went to Sirsiya to celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Bishop Anthony led the Mass. Fr. Jacob, S.D.B., and his team, were wonderful hosts. David continues to help the Sadakbari flood victims. Arul Selvam, Sister Seraphina, and their friends from Pokhara, brought a van load of clothing and funds for food for the needy. David guided them on a Sadakbari tour. David organized a medical camp for the Maheshpur parishioners. Seventy people took advantage of this service with a team of sisters and doctors from Hatigisa.

Bill managed a quick visit to Kathmandu for the November Superiors’ meeting. Hermon spent a Saturday at Suryodaya School, Damak, conducting a communications workshop for the class eight students there. Mathew Das’ aunt and uncle were the month’s final visitors. They spent a couple of days at Deonia while receiving eye treatment at the new eye hospital. We look forward to a month of Advent preparations for Christmas – Advent wreaths, Jesse Trees, and penance services. We offer Advent prayers for all our readers.- Bill

Pokhara

Arul Selvam, Sr. Seraphina and two parishioners went to our Catholic villages in Jhapa to help the flood victims. They distributed medicines and clothes to the needy. In early November the candidates accompanied by Peter went to Godavari (Myandada) for their village experience. They stayed with Hindu families and besides Nepali language they got used to many village activities including harvesting paddy. They got to do some sight seeing in Kathmandu city and also enjoyed the hospitality of our Jesuit communities. Mathew went for school staff training program, two days each in Bhairahwa and Nautanwa.

We were very happy to welcome Cap back after three months in the USA, with a little more weight and a heavier bag. We had a surprise visit from Ooki who had left in April bidding farewell forever saying,” Next we will meet in heaven.” He stayed in a hotel with his Japanese friend and donor Mr. Kuramitsu. In a public ceremony, the nearby Siddhartha Club honoured both of them for their past contributions and with hopes for the future. Ooki met with the staff and students here and offered Mass on a Saturday to be with his dear parishioners. A staff dinner was arranged prior to his departure to Japan.

Norbert goes to the slums to distribute medicine with Sr. Martha. He made a short visit to the capital city to begin the process of getting a new passport after losing what he had. Good Shepherd sister Bridget celebrated her silver jubilee in the congregation at a Saturday Mass ceremony with the people of the parish present. The Cruz Vir children took their oath on the same day as we celebrated the feast of Christ the King. Arul has left for south India for a couple of weeks on a vocation tour. - Mathew

Kamal Niwas, Sanepa

It is the exam time for the collegians, finally! Basant and Ajit have finished their second year and Merlin his third Semester and have started their third year and fourth Semester classes respectively. Narun is still having his exams and hopes to finish them, theory and practical, by the end of December. Jomon went to Pune for a meeting of the Province/Region Coordinators for Dialogue. He is sketching out plans to develop the Dialogue mission in the Region, ideally the best place for inter religious dialogue. While in Pune, he spent an agape evening with our Nepal “philosophers” and enjoyed it to the full.

We were happy to interact with the candidates while they were in Kathmandu over a cup of tea at Kamal Niwas, Sanepa. After months of hard labour and great expectations, our rabbits littered. However, the law of the jungle prevailed. The predatory mongooses marauded the burrow and feasted on the bunnies. - Merlin

From the Diaspora

Tomson writes from RTC, Patna: “We are working on a seminar paper on Flood and drought in Bihar, in the light of Global Ecological Crisis- A theological reflection”. The final product of our work will be published later in the year. Samuel is under medication for a skin allergy.”

Prayers for the Departed Fr. Cecil McGarry, of the Province of Eastern Africa, who passed away on 24 November 2009 in Nairobi. He served as the General Assistant of the Society from 1975-1983.

JESA Secretariat, Delhi Announces

a) Workshop on “Census 2011: Identity for Tribal Religion and Tribal Migrants”: Dates: December 13-15, 2009 Venue: ISI Delhi.
b) International Workshop on: “Jesuit Advocacy: Better Governance of Natural Resources”: Resources”. Dates:  February 13 – 23, 2010 Venue: XISS, Ranchi.
c) National Conference on: “Resurgence of Religious Identity and Violence: Causes, Consequences and Response”: Dates: February 25-28, 2010
Venue: ISI, Bangalore. To know more about these programmes visit: www.jesaonline.org (Courtesy: Xavier Jeyaraj, JESA Secretary)

Golden Jubilee of XTTI Patna

Fr. Abraham Puthumana (PAT) invites all the Alumni of XTTI to become a part of the closing of XTTI Golden Jubilee Year on 29 May 2010. A souvenir is being planned for the occasion. If you have any anecdotes and humorous memories of your life at XTTI that could become a part of the souvenir, please send them to Fr. Abe by the end of February 2010. Kindly let Abe have the information about your participation in the closing day functions at the latest by 20 April 2010 via any of the following means: Land line 0091-612-2560 883 or
Mobile:00919430213351 or
Email:abeputhumana@gmail.com

Birthdays in December

03 – Fr. Antonysamy, Fr. James Poovathumkal
12 – Bp. Antony Sharma, Sch. Merlin Arockiasamy
13 – Fr. Cap Miller
19 – Sch. Augustus Ekka
23 – Fr. Victor Beck
30 – Sch. Anup Minj
31 – Fr. Roy Sebastian