July 1, 2010
- JRS Highlights Urban Refugee Plight
- New Orleans Province Responds to the BP Oil Spill
- Jesuit Reports on Clashes in Kyrgyzstan
- Jesuits Hold First Midwest Tri-Province Days
- New Video Series on Jesuits and Their Vocations
- Society's New Task Force on Ecology to Meet
- Around Campus
- From the Editors
JRS Highlights Urban Refugee Plight
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has urged governments and civil society organizations worldwide to welcome refugees and other forcibly displaced persons in urban areas. On the occasion of World Refugee Day, June 20, JRS International said it believes that adopting a positive and supportive approach to the presence of refugees in urban areas not only promotes their well-being but empowers them to use their energy and talents to benefit their host communities.
For years, refugee assistance has been channeled almost exclusively to programs in camp-like settings. Unfortunately, although the majority of refugees today live in urban settings, they too often receive little support.
Urban refugees share all of the challenges of the urban poor, but often face additional barriers due to their uncertain legal status and lack of documentation.
"Forcibly displaced persons who are unable to gain access to the formal labor market are condemned to poverty. But it doesn't have to be like this," said JRS International Director, Fr. Peter Balleis, SJ. "With sufficient support and the necessary legal documentation, refugees are often able to start their own businesses and in some cases to employ members of their host community."
Education is making a tangible difference to the lives of refugees, according to Fr. Balleis.
"Last year, we provided education services to approximately 280,000 young people. They'll become teachers, social workers, farmers, and public servants. Any society which hinders the development of this potential is poorer as a consequence," he said. [Australian Jesuits Province Express]
New Orleans Province Responds to the BP Oil Spill
The New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus has compiled a resource packet in response to the growing environmental catastrophe in the Gulf Coast region from the BP oil spill.
The packet includes prayers, an oil spill policy brief, and a study on the spill from the e-newsletter of the Jesuit Social Research Institute. [New England Province]
Jesuit Reports on Clashes in Kyrgyzstan
Jesuit Krzysztof Korolczuk, a Polish priest ministering in Kyrgyzstan, refuted reports that local Christians were targeted for religious reasons during recent violence against Uzbek communities but warned that many people were left "fearful and in need" after the fighting.
"This is a political struggle with ethnic ingredients," said Fr. Korolczuk, who works in Jalal-Abad. "It isn't aimed in any sense against Christians.
"If Uzbek and Kyrgyz Christians have been killed defending their homes, it's for national reasons, not because of their religious beliefs. Nor have local Muslim religious leaders played any part in the conflict or made anti-Christian statements," he said.
The Jesuit spoke as the United Nations reported that 400,000 people were displaced during the bloody clashes, which erupted June 11 in Jalal-Abad and Osh, leaving hundreds dead and injured.
As of June 18, Fr. Korolczuk said he had not heard of casualties among the Catholic communities in both towns, where Uzbek shops and restaurants had been torched.
However, he added, some Catholics attempted to leave the country but had been stuck in a miles-long backup at the now-closed border with Uzbekistan. Others remained, afraid to leave their homes, he said.
Fr. Korolczuk said his parish was offering shelter to several Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Russian families with small children who had been unable to obtain basic food, water, and medications. [Catholic News Service]
Jesuits Hold First Midwest Tri-Province Days
The more than 440 Jesuits who attended the first Midwest Tri-Province Days of the Chicago, Detroit, and Wisconsin provinces deemed the event a success for getting to know each other and for sharing thoughts and goals for the future.
The gathering was hosted on the Marquette University campus in Milwaukee on June 11 and 12 and reflected the future reconfiguration of the three provinces, which will eventually result in one combined province for the entire Great Lakes/Midwestern region of the Society of Jesus.
Fr. Tom Smolich, SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference of the United States, opened Friday's session with an address reminding the Jesuits that the future of the combined three provinces was a response to "the call of Christ" and not a business or administrative decision. Men of the three provinces then had two small-group discussions. The first session gathered men from all three provinces in groups by their entry to the Society. The second small-group session grouped the men by their ministry in order to share ideas.
"All of us who gathered at Province Days enjoyed a wonderful and encouraging experience," said Fr. Tom Krettek, SJ, provincial for the Wisconsin Province. "I believe the days have created the foundation for future cooperation."
The Friday evening ordination had more than 200 concelebrants as six Jesuits from the Midwest were ordained by the Most Rev. Blase J. Cupich, bishop of Rapid City, S.D. The new priests are Frs. Tom Neitzke of Port Washington, Wis.; James C. Ackerman of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mark W. Luedtke of Hinsdale, Ill.; Paul C. O'Connor of Cleveland, Ohio; Richard E. Ross of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Michael S. Christiana of Rochester, Minn. Pictures from the event can be found on the Jesuit Conference's Flickr page at http://bit.ly/midwestprovincedays. [National Jesuit News]
New Video Series on Jesuits and Their Vocations
The Jesuit Conference of the United States has launched a new video series interviewing Jesuits from across the country discussing their vocations, their various paths to becoming a Jesuit, and what it has meant to them to answer God's call.
National Jesuit News will feature a new video interview each week. You can watch additional videos by going to the Jesuits Revealed channel on YouTube. [NJN]
Society's New Task Force on Ecology to Meet
A newly-formed task force on ecology will meet this month in Rome to review the environmental challenges facing Jesuits around the world and begin developing practical recommendations for the religious order's communities and ministries.
The Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat of the Society of Jesus has established the task force, which includes both Jesuits and lay collaborators. The task force will consist of José Alejandro Aguilar, SJ (Colombia); Leonard Chiti, SJ (Zambia); José Ignacio García, SJ (Spain); Pedro Walpole, SJ (Philippines); Joseph Xavier, SJ (India); and Nancy C. Tuchman (USA). The co-conveners of the Task Force are Fernando Franco, SJ (Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology) and Paul Locatelli, SJ (Secretary for Education).
The group will meet at the General Curia in Rome from July 5 to 10. The meeting will begin with a review of responses from Jesuits to a survey on ecological challenges facing the world and a reflection on documents on ecology published by the Society over the last ten years.
The task force will seek input from members of other religious orders based in Rome, as well as internationally renowned scientist Jacques Blamont.
The group will then begin looking at commitments for the future and some practical recommendations to submit to Father General.
The Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat has been asked to find concrete ways for making concern for ecology a dimension of all Jesuit ministries around the world. The increased focus on ecology is in line with Decree 3 from the last General Congregation, which encourages all Jesuits "to appreciate more deeply our covenant with creation." [Australian Jesuits Province Express]
Around Campus
Baghdad University Dental Faculty Meet with Creighton's Dental School Team
A delegation from the Baghdad University School of Dentistry visited Creighton University School of Dentistry in June, during which discussions begun in April 2009 continued regarding ideas for developing a working relationship between the two schools.
Ali Hussain Alkhafaji, DDS, dean of the Baghdad University School of Dentistry, and Hussain F. Al-Huwaizi, DDS, assistant dean and professor of endodontics visited Creighton, which was a pivotal step in developing a long-term mentoring and partnering relationship with the Baghdad University School of Dentistry. The delegation participated in discussions with Creighton faculty, attended lectures, visited Creighton's dental clinic, learned about current research, and more.
Pictured: The Dean of Bagdad University's School of Dentistry, Ali Hussain Alkhafaji, DDS, looks on as Creighton dental students work on patients at Creighton's dental clinic. [Creighton University]
University of Detroit Mercy Names Interim President
The University of Detroit Mercy Board of Trustees elected Executive Vice President Michael Joseph as interim president, effective July 1, 2010, when Fr. Gerard Stockhausen, SJ, steps down to assume the position of Executive Assistant to the President of the Jesuit Conference and Director of Planning for the Jesuit Conference in Washington, D.C.
As interim president, Joseph will provide an effective working transition through the conclusion of the search, when new permanent leadership takes office.
Since 2002, Joseph has worked at the university and was appointed executive vice president under the president and has overseen intercollegiate athletics, student affairs, university advancement and most recently academic affairs at the institution. [University of Detroit Mercy]
Gift Launches Academy at Boston College to Train Principals
A new educational leadership academy—the first in the nation to jointly train and support new principals from Catholic, public, and charter schools—will be funded at Boston College's Lynch School of Education by a $20 million gift from Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch, long-time supporters of educational initiatives and benefactors to Boston College and Boston's inner-city Catholic schools.
"Education in the early grades is the most important issue in America," said Peter Lynch. "The principal is the key individual who can affect everyone in the school."
The Lynch Leadership Academy will award 25 fellowships annually. The fellows will attend a leadership retreat, a two-week summer institute, monthly workshops, and weekly sessions with leadership coaches, as well as participate in an online community to foster ongoing communication and networking among the fellows. Upon completion of the program, the fellows will receive three graduate school credits and a Certificate in School Leadership.
The fellows will be drawn from the leadership of Boston's 135 public schools, 16 charter schools, and the 135 schools of the Archdiocese of Boston. Lynch School Dean Fr. Joseph O'Keefe, SJ, estimates that within the first five years approximately 45 percent of these school leaders will have graduated from the Lynch Academy. [Boston College]
Saint Joseph's University Hosts Inaugural Meeting of Eastern Conversations
From June 15 to 17, over 70 faculty and mission and identity officers from all twelve of the East Coast Jesuit colleges and universities gathered at Saint Joseph's University for the inaugural meeting of Eastern Conversations.
Modeled on the long-standing Western Conversations and Heartland-Delta Faculty Conversations, the conference was designed to provide faculty members from the East Coast Jesuit institutions the opportunity to establish connections and engage in dialogue with one another.
The theme for the meeting focused on learning about the current generation of students and how to balance the demands of academic life while also contributing to the shared educational mission of cura personalis. Building on his article in the Spring 2010 issue of Conversations, Dr. Nicholas Santilli, a developmental psychologist and Associate Vice President for Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Effectiveness at John Carroll University opened the conference with his keynote address, "In Search of the Millennial Generation—Can One Size Fit All?"
The next two days were followed by engaging conversations and included a student panel who responded to the research presented by Dr. Santilli, as well as a faculty panel who reflected on the challenges of maintaining balance in academia.
Pictured: Participants engage in conversation during a morning break-out session. [AJCU]
Xavier Student Receives Inaugural Jesuit Heritage Grant Award
The first Jesuit Heritage Grant Award from Xavier University has been awarded to student Mona Breitbeil. The purpose of the grant is to further the recognition of Jesuit identity in the college and promote the educational outcome that graduates of Xavier are men and women for others standing for justice and peace. She received $500 toward the purchase of program textbooks from the Xavier Bookstore.
Breitbeil, a graduate student in community counseling, submitted a 500-word essay discussing the influence of the Jesuit Heritage on her chosen career of professional counseling. It was evaluated by department faculty and members of Xavier's Center for Mission and Identity. [Xavier University]