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September 16, 2009 |
On August 25 the Moscow city court in Russia sentenced Michail Orekhov to 14 years hard labor for the murder of Fr Victor Betancourt SJ (see SJUSA archive for the original story). Orekhov was acquitted of the murder of Fr Otto Messmer SJ, who discovered the body of Fr Betancourt.
Orekhov, who during the preliminary investigation had admitted to the double murder, subsequently withdrew his confession, denying any responsibility for the crime.
The Jesuits of the Russian Region expressed "profound disappointment over the verdict on the murder of Fr Otto," and, in consultation with their legal advisors, are considering the course of action to take in pursuit of greater clarification of the case. [SJ Press and Information Office]
Fr Gontrand Décoste SJ has been named bishop of Jérémie, Haiti. He has been spiritual director and theology professor in the major seminary in Port-au-Prince and secretary of the local Episcopal Conference. He was also responsible for communication for Haiti. [www.sjweb.info]
During his research in the Staatsbibliothek in Munich, Jesuit historian David Collins discovered a collection of documents on the early Society that was saved at the suppression of the Society in 1773 by a former student of the Jesuits in Munich, Andreas Felix von Oefele (1706-1780), a librarian and historian.
He had the documents bound in a 330-page volume, which includes letters from 1549 to 1552 sent to three Jesuits: Frenchman Claude Jay, Spaniard Alonso Salmerón, and Dutchman Peter Canisius. [Paul Begheyn SJ, Jesuits in Europe News Bulletin]
Loyola Press's popular 3-Minute Retreat is now available on the iPhone and iPod touch. Users can enjoy a daily reflective prayer retreat wherever they are; each day, a new retreat featuring music, Scripture verses, and reflective thoughts and questions comes their way.
"Saint Ignatius always talked about learning the language of the culture. iPhone apps and modern technology are the language of our contemporary culture," said Paul Campbell SJ. "Our 3-minute retreat iPhone app uses today's technology to provide a convenient place for busy people to deepen their friendship with God."
The 3-Minute Retreat application is available for $.99 at www.loyolapress.com/app. [Loyola Press]
Nativity Preparatory Academy, sponsored by McQuaid Jesuit High and the Sisters of St Joseph, opened this fall in Rochester, New York, and serves children from low-income families.
The school aims to prepare students for college, offering an intense academic program, mentoring, and summer programs.
Nativity has between 30 and 40 students, in grades five and six for its first school year. The day begins at 7:30 and ends at 6; students eat three meals at school and complete their homework before they leave.
Most of the tuition is covered by sponsors; parents "buy in," but pay no more than $800 in tuition. [www.democratandchronicle.com]
The Apostleship of Prayer has appointed Fr Philip Hurley SJ to serve as youth director. National director Fr James Kubicki SJ said that the position was created in response to a growing interest among younger Catholics in the spirituality of the organization.
"I'm excited to join the Apostleship of Prayer," said Hurley. "I am dedicated to its mission to help people encounter Jesus heart to heart and live in that relationship every day."
As youth director, Fr Hurley will accept invitations from parishes, schools, campus ministries, and other organizations to speak, teach, and lead retreats. He will also work to expand outreach to youth through video and music on its web site (www.apostleshipofprayer.org). [Source: Apostleship of Prayer]
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA has put its curriculum on refugee and migration issues online at www.jrsusa.org/education/educationintro.html. Designed to be used at the high school level in social justice or current events courses, it includes four units, each with objectives, reflection questions, and action items. [Jesuit Refugee Service/USA]
Fr John Baldovin SJ received the first place award in the Liturgy category from the Catholic Press Association for his book, Reforming the Liturgy: A Response to Critics (Liturgical Press). Fr Baldovin, brings his scholarship and experience to make sense of the reform of the Catholic liturgy since the Second Vatican Council.
Jesuit William O’Malley’s book, Help My Unbelief (Orbis Books), took first place in the Popular Presentation of the Catholic Faith category; the book exams questions and doubts that many Catholics have today.
In the Theology category, Fr Francis X Clooney SJ received a second place award for Beyond Compare: St. Francis de Sales and Sri Vedanta Desika on Loving Surrender to God (Georgetown University Press). Fr Clooney compares the theology of a great Christian master of the spiritual life with that of a similar Hindu one. [Catholic Press Association]
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) inaugurated a primary school in Lobone county in Sudan in August. Pamaikong Primary School is the first school in Lobone that is a permanent structure.
The opening ceremony had a blessing of the school by JRS Eastern Africa Regional Director Frido Pflueger SJ. In his speech, Fr Pflueger emphasized the importance of recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and urged teachers to be role models.
After more than two decades of civil war, most of the displaced population returned to Lobone in April and May last year. Initially classes were provided in ad hoc community schools under trees and in temporary structures. More than 500 students will move to the new school.
The JRS objective in Lobone is to build the capacity of education officials and help rebuild school infrastructure. As soon as funding is secured, JRS plans to build more classrooms and latrines in two nearby villages. [JRS Dispatches]
Loyola New Orleans Class of 2009 Dedicates Gift on Anniversary of Katrina
The Loyola University New Orleans Class of 2009 dedicated a sculptural bench to the university in August, paying tribute to 637 colleges that took in displaced Loyola students in the semester following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The Class of 2009 were freshmen when Katrina hit, and students went to colleges and law schools across the country. The bench incorporates the names of each of the schools. [Loyola University New Orleans]
Archives of Avery Cardinal Dulles SJ on Display at Fordham
Fordham University’s William D Walsh Family Library has a show on the late Avery Cardinal Dulles SJ’s life and work. "The Papers and Memorabilia of Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ," runs through December 23 and features more than 100 items of memorabilia from the cardinal’s personal archives.
Included in the collection are books, research materials, manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, awards, honorary degree citations, the cardinal’s vestments, and other materials, such as his first letter to Santa Claus.
Library Director James McCabe said the collection is the library’s most valuable holding.
"The show will reveal the dimension of his scholarship as the leading theologian of the 20th century in the United States, and some personal and family history,” he said. [Fordham University]
Regis University School of Pharmacy Program to Open
The School of Pharmacy at Regis University opened this fall with 50 students making up the first class. The new program offers a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree that educates students to become practicing pharmacists.
The curriculum will include courses to help graduates improve patient outcomes by counseling patients on medication use, advocating patient safety, and striving to minimize disparities in health care access, especially for marginalized populations. [Regis University]
New Dorothy Day Living/Learning Community at Marquette University
The first Dorothy Day Social Justice Living/Learning Community at Marquette University will have 44 sophomores who are dedicated to creating social change.
The living/learning community enhances the academic experience of the students through shared experiences and classes. The participants live on the same residence hall floors and register for a common sections of philosophy and theology courses.
The courses will incorporate service learning, with students volunteering at Milwaukee organizations dedicated to social justice issues. [Marquette University]
Jesuit Educator Named Next President of Saint Ignatius College Prep Chicago
Fr Michael Caruso SJ has been selected as the 30th president of Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, effective summer of 2010. Fr Caruso currently serves as the Educational Leadership department chair at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Fr Brian Paulson SJ will remain as president of Saint Ignatius through the 2009-2010 school year. [Saint Ignatius College Prep]
US Jesuit High School Students Visit Argentina
This past summer, four US Jesuit high schools engaged in cultural, language, and service immersion with two Jesuit colegios in Argentina.
Colegio Del Salvador in Buenos Aires hosted a total of 25 students from Georgetown Prep, Boston College High, and Loyola High School of Los Angeles. Colegio Inmaculada in Santa Fe hosted 10 students from Brophy College Prep in Phoenix.
Each student group stayed either four or five weeks, improving their Spanish language skills and engaging in cultural and historical awareness and community service projects.
The two California Province high schools involvement in the exchange is part of the larger twinning program with the Argentina and Urguagy provinces, which involves universities and parishes as well.
The Argentine schools sent student delegations to the US schools in January and February 2009 and expect to do so again in early 2010. [Tom Zeko, Loyola High Los Angeles]
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