March 15, 2010
- Jesuits in Chile are Safe
- Jesuit Economists Vow to Guide Development in India
- Pedro Arrupe Documentary Available Online
- Father General Stresses Importance of Jesuits' Role in Pakistan
- Jesuit Featured in USA Today, Time
- Interview with the National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer
- Around Campus
- From the Editors
Jesuits in Chile are Safe
All the Jesuits in Chile escaped the earthquake unharmed. They were gathered on retreat when the earthquake struck on February 27.
Most of the Jesuit houses and schools have suffered some damage, ranging from minor plaster and stucco damage to loss of computer equipment and church appointments to major infrastructural damage to some buildings.
The Maryland Province Jesuits, who have a longstanding relationship with the Jesuits of Chile, have established a Chile Relief Fund. In addition, the province has also created a blog, which provides updates on efforts to help victims of the earthquake. [Maryland Province]
Jesuit Economists Vow to Guide Development in India
Jesuit economists in India say development must be given a "human face" if it is to reach the majority of the country's poor.
Most of the country's most vulnerable are missing out on the benefits of aid programs, said Fr. Dominic Savio, SJ, who organized the first national seminar of the Jesuit Economics Association of India (JEAI) in Kolkata on Feb. 28.
The 14 Jesuits attending vowed to continue the work, engaging their colleagues around the country.
Fr. John Felix Raj, SJ, the association's convener, said he had recommended to the Jesuit Provincial of South Asia to bring together all Jesuits of India involved with teaching or researching economics.
The association aims to examine Jesuit economists' contribution through research and to encourage them to undertake research projects and influence the country's policy makers, he said.
Fr. Raj said any Jesuit with a master's degree in economics would be eligible to become a member of JEAI, as well as Jesuit seminarians studying economics at a master's level and Jesuits engaged in economic fields.
The Jesuits have already made a notable contribution in education, Fr. Raj said. The new association should aim to influence policy makers. [UCAN]
Pedro Arrupe Documentary Available Online
A five-part documentary on Pedro Arrupe, SJ, the former superior general of the Society of Jesus, is now available online on the Jesuit Channel, which is sponsored by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
The film, Pedro Arrupe: His Life and Legacy, was produced in 2008 by Georgetown University and features rare footage of Fr. Arrupe and interviews with his closest advisers. [America]
Father General Stresses Importance of Jesuits' Role in Pakistan
Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, recently visited Pakistan, where he blessed the Province Mission in Lahore, led by Australian Jesuit Renato Zecchin.
Four Jesuits serve at the mission, which is part of the Sri Lankan Province, working in education. Fr. Nicolás was en route from a visit to Sri Lanka.
"These visits confirm the general impression of other visits," said Fr. Nicolás. "At the level of individual Jesuits I find our men excellent, dedicated, with many good talents and spiritual gifts. In smaller regions, like these two, I also find a lack of resources. One consequence is that it becomes especially difficult to plan and to discern according to our priorities. This applies especially to formation as an investment in depth for our life and apostolate."
Fr. Nicolás added that Jesuits needed to continue offering a consistent and credible witness if they wanted people to pay attention to them as a group of religious with a spiritual message and with hope.
He said that while the Jesuits' presence in Pakistan is extremely modest, he hoped the Society will feel the need and the responsibility to help strengthen this small presence.
"I am convinced that it has an important role to play. Vis-à-vis the Muslim majority, a Christian presence can be a source of inspiration that, as such, will always include a challenge to be genuine, to live faith in depth, and to deal with other human beings with compassion, generosity and fairness. We can encourage and cooperate with the many religious and lay persons who want to transform Pakistani society for the better." [Australian Jesuits Province Express]
Jesuit Featured in USA Today, Time
Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, who has written numerous books and blog posts and is culture editor at America magazine, was recently featured in articles for USA Today and Time magazine.
The USA Today article follows Fr. Martin's path to becoming a Jesuit and gives an overview of his new book, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: The Spirituality of Real Life.
Time.com's article, "Father Martin: The Priest Who Prays for Stephen
Colbert", explains how Fr. Martin has become one of the highest profile religious "explainers" in the country.
Fr. Martin is also featured in a recent America magazine podcast, in which he discusses his new book.
[Image courtesy Comedy Central]
Interview with the National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer
Fr. James Kubicki, SJ, serves as the national director of the Apostleship of Prayer, which makes known the Holy Father's monthly prayer intentions in the United States.
Fr. Kubicki joined the Society of Jesus in 1971 and was ordained in 1983; he's a frequent retreat director and radio guest. He recently spoke to the National Catholic Register on his religious vocation, Catholic memories, and the Apostleship of Prayer.
Around Campus
Marquette University President to Retire Next Year
Marquette University President Fr. Robert Wild, SJ, has announced his intent to retire, effective June 30, 2011, or until a successor takes office, whichever comes later.
Fr. Wild, who came to Marquette in 1996, is the university's 22nd president and one of the longest-serving.
During Fr. Wild's tenure undergraduate applications increased fourfold, from approximately 5,000 applications to nearly 20,000 for fall 2010. At the same time, he stressed the importance of access to higher education, significantly increasing funding for student financial aid and creating scholarship programs specifically targeted at underserved populations. [Marquette University]
Loyola Marymount University President Resigns
After 11 years as president of Loyola Marymount University, Fr. Robert Lawton, SJ, announced on March 1 that he will be resigning from his position as the university's 14th president at the end of the academic year.
Executive Vice President and Provost David Burcham has been appointed interim president of the university upon Fr. Lawton's taking of medical leave for the duration of the academic school year.
Throughout his term, Fr. Lawton has overseen such accomplishments as the construction of a new library and has had a major hand in drafting the university's 20-year Master Plan that calls for a revamping of the campus and its facilities. [Loyola Marymount University]
Xavier University Accounting Students Help with Tax Returns
Xavier University accounting students are helping to prepare tax returns for low income, elderly, and student taxpayers on Monday evenings through April 12.
The students are offering free basic Federal and State income tax assistance to the community through the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). [Xavier University]
Former First Lady Laura Bush Visits Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep in Houston
Former First Lady, Laura Bush visited Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep in Houston on March 11 at the invitation of Cristo Rey Jesuit's President, Fr. T.J. Martinez, SJ.
During her visit, Mrs. Bush participated in a classroom time-capsule project with Cristo Rey Jesuit students, engaged in a round-table discussion about the Corporate Work-Study Program, and talked about education reform.
Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep in Houston opened in August 2009, when it welcomed more than 80 students from economically disadvantaged communities in the city. [Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep]