ENSEMBLE TOGETHER CONCORDES
Index



A HISTORIC MEETING


Meeting of the WUJA council Rome, January 2001



EDITORIAL

The decision, taken by correspondence a year ago, of the World Union Council to have a meeting in Rome in January 2001 proved to be a wise one. The meeting took place to "Sisters of St. Joseph" located close to the Vatican and a beautiful spot well suited, with a good working ambience. The meeting was attended by all the officials of the WUJA and all the Council members.
This is the first time ever that the Council formally meets between Congresses, to review its action course and to plan for the years ahead. We a have, as guests the two Vice Presidents of the Pedro Arrupe World Association, our web master and the President of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools (IAJBS), who gave an inspiring and challenging talk to our meeting.
The meeting was opened on Thursday, January 27 with a get- together and a toast of wine. We believe this was a good opportunity to meet our fellow Council and Official members in an informal way. After all, all of them were elected at the 1997 Sydney Congress and they have barely met each other. There were intense working sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until noon when the meeting was closed.
We had the opportunity to discuss the mayor issues that affect our WUJA and a set of resolutions and an action plan where approved. Those resolutions and the actions to be pursued in the following years, before the next World Congress in Calcutta, are presented in this issue of the ETC for reference to all our associations world-wide. What was really amazing of this meeting was that even though we have never worked together before and in spite of the language difficulties, the Ignatian spirit within each one of us made it possible to have an smooth and fruitful venue.
On Saturday, Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach Superior General of the Society of Jesus joined us for lunch. Fr. Kolvenbach has always supported our WUJA and it was evident from his presentation and his kind words, the importance that he gives to our Alumni/ae movement. The remarks to the participants are presented, in this issue. We believe that the words of Fr. General could very well apply to each one of the individual associations as well as to the WUJA. What is important to our alumni/ae movement is the support given by Fr. Kolvenbach and his call that we a challenge the Jesuits all over the world. The support of the Provincials and the Jesuit community in each one of our countries depend to great deal of our individual actions as associations.
We believe that the WUJA Council and Officials meeting was wonderful and a great opportunity to share experiences and to jointly look at the problems and most important the opportunities, that lay ahead of us.
We do have now an enormous task in front of us. We have to take action as presented and approved at the meeting, so we can come to Calcutta with our heads up and confident that we have properly responded to our associations in due form.
Fabio Tobón
President WUJA

WORLD CONGRESS OF JESUIT ALUMNI/AE TO BE HELD LATE JANUARY 2003, CALCUTTA, INDIA
"THE SUMMIT OF JOY"




COUNCIL MEETING REPORT – ROME ITALY - JANUARY 25-28, 2001


On Thursday evening January 25, 2001, the Executive and Council of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae met in Rome for the first ever meeting of the Council outside of World Congress. In the words of the President, Fabio Tobon, "Our Rome meeting was landmark for our World Union. I m certain that we accomplished more in this meeting than what we have done as Union in the recent years. Just the opportunity to see each other face to face and to participate in an open discussion of our activities was remarkable exercise and a test for our team work."
On Friday morning after a welcome address from President, Fabio Tobon, outlining the purpose, objectives and organisation of the Council Meeting, Fr Vincent Duminuco SJ, Delegate of Father General to the World Union, spoke of the history of Council actions and the expectations of the Council Meeting.
The first and most important item on the agenda was concerning the legal status of the World Union. Francois Xavier Camenen, the Secretary, led the Council through the modifications of these Statutes. This was a vital part of the process of registering the World Union as a non-profit-making organisation. Following the signing of the revised Statutes on Sunday, January 28 by the entire Council, the World Union was to be officially registered by Francois Xavier Camenen with the authorities in Luxembourg in the week following the Meeting.
Kalyan Chodhury, one of the two Council Members from India, gave an outline of the next World Congress to be held in Calcutta (Calcutta), India in January 2003. The Congress, the Summit of Joy -Jesuit Alumni/ae in search of Human Rights, is planned to be a Strategic Congress similar to the Sydney World Congress, July 1997. Kalyan Chowdhury will aliases with Fabio Tobon during the next two years leading up to the Congress.
At lunch on Friday, Dr Tom Bausch, Executive Director of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools, addressed the World Council, the topic, The World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae and the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools: Partners in serving Faith and Justice. The Council appreciated this fine address and further development of this 'partnership 'will be actively sought and encouraged.
On Saturday, many subjects were covered: Other topics discussed were: Father General, Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ, invited all Meeting delegates and guests to join him for lunch on Saturday, January 27. During lunch three delegates spoke on work done in their countries. Robyn Treseder spoke of the Leadership Courses held in Sydney Australia for young adults 25 to 35 years of age. Bernard Thompson from Great Britain spoke of the World Union in Europe and lastly, Kalyan Chowdhury from India spoke of the next World Congress to be held in Calcutta (Calcutta), India in January 2003.
Following these presentations Father Kolvenbach welcomed all present and spoke of his gratitude for the work done by Alumni/ae Associations round the world. He emphasised the importance of Ignatian spirituality for young people and would use the information of the work done in Australia t a meeting on Ignatian Spirituality he would be attending in February. He accepted the invitation extended by Kalyan Chowdhury to the World Congress in India and gave his blessing on the Congress.
Fabio Tobon thanked Fr Kolvenbach for his invitation to lunch and for his interest in the World Union and assistance in holding this Council Meeting. He assured him of the dedication of the World Union and spoke of the wonderful opportunity this Council Meeting had given us to gather for the first time, allowing us to work together in organising the World Union. It a gave us the opportunity to become familiar with each others work and to strengthen the common bond we share of our wish to serve God through Ignatian ideals.
Sunday morning, Fr Vincent Duminuco SJ of New York spoke eloquently of the World Union and the Society of Jesus –of working together, of the relationship formed with each other and of the importance and value of the work undertaken by Alumni/ae around the world. He a spoke of the Society 's recognition of the dedication and work of its Lay partners.
The last duty of the Meeting was for every Council Member to sign the revised 'Statutes of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae 'making it ready for presentation by Xavier Camenen in Luxembourg, to secure World Union legal status as a registered organisation. The Meeting closed with Mass celebrated by Fr Duminuco in the lovely Chapel of the Convent of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. It was a beautiful, personal Mass with very special homily from Fr Duminuco. It was a Mass of Thanksgiving for a successful Meeting, chaired so ably and wisely by Fabio Tobon, during which each Council Member took part and contributed in an atmosphere of trust in that all were working together , AMDG -for the greater glory of God. Gratitude and thanks were expressed to Father General and the Society of Jesus for their assistance in making the Meeting possible.
Robyn Treseder
Council Member – Oceania
World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae


REMARKS TO THE COUNCIL OF THE WORLD UNION OF JESUIT ALUMNI IN ROME, JANUARY 2001
by Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S. J. - Superior General of the Society of Jesus


First of all, I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to receive you. Maybe I was at the origin of this meeting, but when you came up with twenty persons, I have to confess, that our Curia was not able to handle this dinner. So I m really sorry that I could not receive you in my house.
I think that this meeting is very important. It is an historical meeting, because as the Council of the World Union, you come together for the first time to work together outside a congress. We should be very grateful to the Lord that this is possible and very grateful to you all that you came here for this meeting, because you all are busy people.
I have already had many possibilities to speak with your President. Every year he comes here and we share the lights, and sometimes a the shadows, of the World Union. Father Duminuco, with his email, is always very near. I am very happy to have this possibility to see you, because since Sidney, this is the first time that we have come together.
I think that the decision that was taken in Sydney was very wise. That means to separate very clearly the preparation of World Congress –that is an event held every six years –and, on the other side, the management and the means to give life to the World Union, not only each six years, but daily, everyday in the life of the 400 associations that exist.
I thank you for your formal invitation to the Calcutta World Union Congress in the year 2003. With the help of the Lord, in 2003 we will be there. I can say that I have already had the opportunity to go to Calcutta for the meeting of the alumni: they know very well how to organise meetings and congresses. On the other hand, I really believe that the life of the World Union is now really coming to life, because it is not necessary to just wait until the meeting in Calcutta; it is here and now. I am very grateful to the President and to you all for what is done to keep the World Union alive and vital in its service.
A very important point is communication. Your fellow alumni/ae need to know from one another that the initiatives that re taken here have effects. We need to prove to all our associations that they re able to do something. They must abandon any feeling that they can do nothing. So this sharing of experiences, this sharing of initiatives is very important. I really believe that it is the main role of the President and of the Council to make this possible. Thanks to communication –just to know one another 's experiences, just to learn from one another 's adventures –the Union is discovering a new life, a new interest. This important meeting with the officers and the Council of the Union will certainly contribute to keeping the Union alive and even more lively.
Just to react to the three presentations, I appreciate them very much. First, the World Union is not only challenging the old boys, but it is challenging the Jesuits. I would like to encourage you to do this even more because they need this. Maybe the comparison is not very good, but Provincials are efficient people, because efficiency is a feature of Ignatian spirituality. If the Provincials see that the train is going well, they will not miss the train. But if the train is not going around, then the Provincials will not start new life in the local associations. So on this point, it is good for me and for your Provincials to know that the train is going on and that it is on time.
You mention the Ignatian spirituality in the gift the Lord has given to us in the Spiritual Exercises . What you told me I will not forget, because at the end of February, we will have here in Rome meeting of the European Jesuits on the Spiritual Exercises. This will be known in the whole world. This report of yours has been a good reminder to tell them not to become too selective in the way of the Spiritual Exercises . If only a small group can do this in retreat house for thirty days, something is wrong. Already St. Ignatius in the annotations has given large mount of possibility so that people who cannot leave the family, who cannot leave the work, still can really encounter personally the Lord in the Spiritual Exercises . So this will be stressed and especially mentioned to the schools because the possibilities exist.
I am very grateful for what was said about Europe. We should not consider the difficulties of the European Union as something that is out of context. The European context reflects a long, difficult and complex history. And so, even if union seems like mission impossible, it is mission, because I think all of the ingredients necessary for success are there: lot of generosity, a lot of vision, a lot of know-how. We need to discover how to bring European unity into effective realty even among our alumni/ae.
For Africa, I can say that in a meeting we had two days ago, we spent practically all our time speaking about our educational responsibilities in Africa and for Africa. It is growing. As you know, a in Tanzania, there is now new college that was built. Because the bishop of the Ivory Coast of Abidjan told me that the Ivory Coast is the most secure and safe country in Africa, we started to build a faculty in Abidjan. But what you said is true. It is a concern for the Holy Father that Africa is too much considered as the "hopeless continent. " Asia has always the future. . Because of the large majority of people who are there and their awakening in world affairs it is perceived as an interesting continent. But Africans always have difficulties that they have to face; Africa does not receive the help that its people deserve. I think this could a be a task of the World Union –not to forget Africa and to keep it in. 4 the attention of the people who are really interested in the World Bank programs, because a there, they will not be interested if Africa 's needs are not constantly emphasised. This is something that has to be changed.
We re working already in Africa in universities. As policy, I can say, that we do not take universities ourselves as Jesuit institutions, because we like to share the responsibility with the country itself or with the bishops of the country. We want to foster inculturation and local authority and responsibility for these universities. We are really already involved in Mozambique, in Angola, in Cameroon, and a in Zimbabwe; and now we are beginning in Ethiopia. We are involved in all these universities because the university is the future, as you said, of the people who will help Africa to manage its people.
Finally, we re already looking to the Congress of the World Union in Calcutta in 2003. A to the Union can be applied the famous slogan "Think globally, act locally. "I think that this should be major purpose of the World Union: that t the same time, both what is done locally is brought together in Calcutta on the global level to evaluate, to have there, a new vision, so that it can come back to the local associations and become realty. I am sure that t this time, all the local efforts can meet one another on the global level and be enriched by a common vision, nourished by a Jesuit education, experienced in common. The outcome will be a more dynamic life of the Union on the different local levels.
My best wishes to your President, to the officials of the Union, to all the members of the Council, and my profound gratitude for your commitment and for your efficient generosity.
Thank you so much.
Peter-Hans Kolvenbach


RESOLUTIONS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE WORLD UNION OF JESUIT ALUMNI
Sunday, January 28, 2001 - ROME, ITALY


The World Union Council hereby resolves:
  1. To Express to Father General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S. J. its gratitude for the Society of Jesus 'unwavering support of the World Union and for his personal commitment to and inspiration of the World Union Council. In turn, the Council members commit to him that we will dedicate our energies s Jesuit Alumni/ae to strengthening the bonds of alumni friendships, to promoting Ignatian values in the world and to serving those most in need.
  2. To accept, as mended by this Council, the revised Statutes of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae and to direct its secretary, Francois-Xavier Camenen, to register the World Union as non-profit organisation in Luxembourg.
  3. To support the Society of Jesus in its efforts to incorporate programs of Ignatian spirituality in its schools and to work to encourage World Union members to provide similar programs for their alumni/ae.
  4. To recognise the tremendous need to provide Ignatian-inspired education to young African men and women, that they may become the future leaders of this great but troubled continent; and to encourage and support the ongoing efforts of the Society of Jesus, working in partnership with local African organisations to develop educational institutions that will address this pressing need.
  5. To establish February 5, the date of the Father Pedro Arrupe's death, s the "Arrupe Dollar Day, "an opportunity for Jesuit Alumni/ae to pray in memory of the late Father General, to promote his vision and ideals, and to encourage financial support for the Pedro Arrupe Association, the primary social action arm of the World Union.
  6. To Endorse President Fabio Tobon 's appointment of Vice President Bernard Thompson as the World Union 's delegate to OMAEC for a period of t least two years. This "probationary period "will permit the World Union Council to evaluate the appropriateness of its ongoing membership in OMAEC and the compatibility of that organisation 's goals and services with those of the World Union.
  7. To authorise the Indian Federation 's Organising Committee for the 2003 World Congress in Calcutta, the "Summit of Joy, " to proceed with the planning for the Congress based on the following guidance:
    1. The Congress will be held in late January 2003 (most likely Tuesday, January 21, 2003 through Saturday, January 25, 2003).
    2. The theme of the Congress will be based on the concept "Jesuit Alumni/ae in Search of Human Rights. "
    3. The Congress will be organised in manner similar to the Sydney Congress with general strategic sessions, smaller focus sessions and opportunities for both the World Union Council and the Congress delegates to meet. If possible, the Congress should provide opportunities for participants to witness local programs addressing social justice and community service.
    4. The World Union will remain the sponsoring organisation of the World Congress. The World Union delegates to the Indian Federation 's Organising Committee the primary responsibility for organising and financing the Congress.
  8. To appoint World Union Council Members Kalyan Chowdhury and M. Arumhi Raj, representing India/South Asia, to direct the Indian Federation 's World Congress Organising Committee. Mr. Chowdhury and Dr. Raj will be responsible for overseeing the planning of the World Congress, ensuring that the World Union 's policies and resolutions re implemented, and maintaining communication between the Organising Committee and the World Union Council.
  9. To convey our deep gratitude to our Jesuit Ecclesiastical Delegate, Father Vincent Duminuco, S. J. , for his untiring support of and tremendous work on behalf of the World Union and for the warm friendship and gentle guidance he has extended to all of its Council Members.


ACTION PLAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE WORLD UNION OF JESUIT ALUMNI/AE


Action item
Members Responsible
Due Date
1Develop a draft World Union Strategic Plan for circulation to the Council for comment, working from the materials presented and discussed at this meeting. Bernard Thompson
John Riley		8-31-01
2Identify strategies to improve the content and format of the WUJA Web Site, to foster more active participation by members in submitting material for the Site, and to encourage wider use of the Site by all Alumni/ae. Mario Soavi
Ron Ferreri
Kalyan Chowdhury
(two individuals recommended by Eric de Langsdorf (E/F)and by Jose Maria Candiotti (E/S)		9-30-01
3Develop and implement standardised annual billing system for member dues. Denis Larcher3-31-01
4Explore additional fundraising opportunities and assist the Treasurer in developing financial, budgetary, and investment procedures, as necessary. Bernard Thompson
Gianpaolo Marini
John Riley		9-30-01
5Develop and circulate for comment, draft position descriptions for the Officers and Members of the World Union Council. Fabio Tobon
Bernard Thompson
Francois-Xavier Camenen
Denis Larcher		4-30-01
6Explore the possibility of contributing a portion of each registration fee for the 2003 Calcutta World Congress to the Pedro Arrupe Foundation. Kalyan Chowdhury
M. Arumhi Raj		9-30-01
7Send a letter to the President of OMAEC conveying the World Union 's concerns regarding that organisation, the "probational "extension of WUJA membership in OMAEC, and our interest in working with them to strengthen their organisation. Fabio Tobon3-31-01
8Contact Ms. Trish Burns of the AMASC to ascertain her views on the operation of OMAEC and the AMASC 's intentions regarding their continued membership in OMAEC. Robyn Treseder4-30-01
9Develop concrete plans for the enhancement, production and distribution of ETC; and explore the possibility of submitting World Union news and material to member organisations for inclusion in their publications. Fabio Tobon
Robyn Treseder		9-30-01
10Develop concrete plans for the design and production of WUJA brochure.Ron Ferreri6-30-01
11Develop drafts of relevant operating procedures for the WUJA based on the framework approved at the Sydney Congress and the newly approved statutes (i.e.procedures for registering Congress delegates,nominating Officers and Council members,and delegate voting)Fabio Tobon
Francois-Xavier Camenen		6-30-01
12Refine the current WUJA budget to incorporate issues raised at this meeting travel expenses,expenses of this meeting,donations from the Society of Jesus,etc.).Denis Larcher4-30-01
13Update and circulate the membership directory.Francois-Xavier Camenen4-30-01
14Investigate the process and benefits of registering the World Union as a NGO with the United Nations.Make a recommendation to the Council regarding pursuit of this status and,if approved,take whatever steps are necessary to achieve this status.Francois-Xavier Camenen
Ron Ferreri		6-30-01
15Work to establish viable,effective twinning relationships to be presented to the Calcutta World Congress as models for future Alumni/ae Twinning Relationships.All Council Members6-30-02
16Provide materials on Jesuit-Lay collaboration for use in ETC,on the WUJA web site,and at the Calcutta Congress.Vincent Duminuco,S.J.4-30-01


SOME REFLECTIONS ABOUT WUJA
By Dr. jean Toto Moukouo


1. Problems of the PanAfrican Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae (PUJA)
 PUJA is characterised by the domination, according to the number of associations per country by the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Jesuit Society have created the greatest quantity of schools from nursery to University. After DRC, it 's Madagascar. So when the political, social and economic situations are bad in these countries and mainly in the former, the PUJA is almost paralysed. In fact, since, the Congo crises, added to those of Burundi and Rwanda, crises in that, more that one Jesuit alumni/ae are implicated in all levels, it has been very difficult to maintain the minimal communications between members of the executive committee, and those of the Council. And so were the relations with national associations.
I relate this situation, because of the implications that generates world-wide the arms 'market, and the worst human conditions that exist as every one know in Africa. As African Jesuit alumni, there is one question: what might be the role of WUJA in Africa, and if these kind of situation occurs in another part of the world where are living Jesuit alumni, what might be the role of WUJA?

2. Basic problem
 When we analyse more the problems of our continent we realise that the situation is apparently that of wars. And in the last decades of the 20th century one can notice that war occurs in the poor countries. That duality poverty and war doesn't exist only in Africa, but else where in the world. In all of these countries, educated, cared and employed people are very low. Something is to be done in that area.

3. The task forces of WUJA
 We think that the most important mission of an organisation as WUJA has to be canalised, in the fight against poverty toward these three areas: education, care and employment. By these areas, WUJA could build strong and real chain of solidarity by the means of local associations or some organisations like the World Association Pedro Arrupe or by a partnership relations with some other non governmental organisations created by or in which actively participate Jesuit alumni, like Foundation Pierre Crouigneau pour la Recherche scientifique et technique in Cameroon.
Dr. Jean Toto Moukouo
Council Member WUJA


THE PEDRO ARRUPE WORLD ASSOCIATION


Rwanda 1999, Byumba Camp "(credit: Mark Raper /JRS)
As we announced in previous issues of ETC, an important socio-educational programme for refugees in two camps in Rwanda was launched in 2000 in close co-operation with the Jesuit Refugee Service of the Great Lakes Region in Africa (Fr. Mateo Aguirre and Fr. Joaquin Ciervide).
The camps in question are the Kiziba Camp located 15km from Kibuye with 13, 000 people and the Gihembe Camp in the Byumba region with 20, 000 people. The refugees here are Rwandan and fled the war which broke out in the Nord-Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The JRS began working in Kibuye in 1997 and in Byumba in 1998.
The budget of our contribution is US$30, 000 aimed mainly t training the camps ' 120 teachers who manage workshops set up by the JRS. The workshops cover skills such as bakery, embroidery- sewing, shoe-repairing, masonry, joinery, soap-making and weaving. The program will a provide socio-educational facilities such as a library and a teacher conference room.
The Arrupe Association is solely responsible for this programme, and the R. H. C. (Refugees High Commissariat)and Caritas Spain are providing most of the financing. The first half of this year will be dedicated to setting up the programme with the help of members of the JRS who are responsible for education in the camps. Most of the budget has already been provided thanks to donors, both individual and associations, who participated in the Arrupe Dollar Campaign in 2000. Among the associations that participated, we would like to mention the recently created Alumni Association of the Alfajiri College in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The response has been such that the Arrupe Association will a be able to provide help for other programmes it is involved in such as assisting young people who want to dedicate little time to social programmes, like the European Young Volunteers in France (a Jesuit structure). As you can see, the Pedro Arrupe World Association is increasingly leaning towards an active partnership with Jesuit services that handle refugees or people in difficulty.
During the Council meeting of the World Union at Rome in January, 2001 an activity report was complied and financial accounts were distributed to the members present. It was confirmed that the Pedro Arrupe World Association should be the "social branch "of the World Union. It was decided that other programmes be launched on the other continents in partnership with the JRS.
You will find the banking references of the Arrupe Association below.
Should you wish to donate to the Arrupe Dollar campaign in 2001 which will allow the Association to complete its Great Lakes budget and to develop the other programmes, you can a contact your continental delegates, members of the Executive Council of the World Union who, since they attended the Rome meeting, will be able to give you any further information you may require. You can a log onto the World Union website where a page on the Arrupe Association is under preparation.
Banking references: Let solidarity and generosity prevail!
Laurent Grégoire and Eric de Langsdorff
Vice-Presidents of the Pedro Arrupe World Association


NEXT WORLD CONFERENCE OF OLD PUPILS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN LEBANON


The Board of OMAEC (World Organisation of old pupils of Catholic schools)had its last meeting in Paris (France)in January. The main decision, supported by WUJA, was to held the next OMAEC Conference in Lebanon on 12-14 October, 2001, with the theme: "The role of the old pupils to support the catholic schools in multicultural society ". The current situation of the catholic schools in this country is very difficult ;it 's important to give evidence of our support to the Lebanese, small people but essential, for historical, cultural and religious reasons, in our mission to build multicultural world in the future.
The Alumni association of the Jesuit School of Jamhour (Beirut) will take part in the organisation of this Conference. All people from our World Union interested by this Conference are kindly invited. Information :secretar@omaaeec.org ;fax:351 213 424 449.
Laurent GREGOIRE
WUJA representative in OMAEC Executive Committee


NEWS FROM THE WORLD


ZAMBIA
From: Canisius Secondary School, Chikuni. Zambia.
Date: Tuesday, 30 January 2001
Subject: Reply to yours of 17th January 2001.
Thanks for your reply.
Jesuit Alumni of this school have proved difficult to organise always. One of our strongest moments of organisation was two years ago (in 1999)when the school celebrated its Golden Jubilee. On that occasion they did rally and supported our celebrations. Mind you, past pupils of this school re very loyal and they re always glad to meet us especially in Lusaka. From the time of the jubilee the past pupils of this school who have emigrated for work to our neighbouring country, Botswana, have been very supportive. They have twice sent noticeable financial aid and we are hopeful that word is spreading from them.
I have been endeavouring to meet the Chairman of our past pupils group in Lusaka but it 's difficult to find him at his place of work. I will continue in that effort.
With thanks.
Fr. J. H. O 'Connell, S. J. (Rector).

LUXEMBOURG
Vannes (Brittany, France)
From 5 to 7 May 2000, the St François-Xavier College of Vannes celebrated its 150th anniversary. A school of high repute in West of France, it has educated generations of boys and, more recently, of girls, and many of its alumni have reached fame in various fields of life.
The alumni association was prominent in organising the celebration with the objective of showing a glorious past to the new generation as basis for dynamic future. It included solemn mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by some 20 Jesuit fathers who had worked in the school, an historical exhibition, several shows presented by the students and a concert mainly composed of an oratorio specially created for the occasion and devoted to St François-Xavier 's life. In addition, several films of the world famous German producer Volker Schlöndorff, an old boy of the college, were shown.
Francois Xavier Camenen
Secretary WUJA

ANGOLA
Dear Friends:
Many thanks for your reply and your interest in knowing about our past pupils in Angola.
In our country there is not an Alumni movement as far as we know. The Jesuits were present here with two big schools that were the only secondary schools in this part of Africa for more than two and a half centuries.
It was all over, however, with the suppression of the Society of Jesus. The school in Luanda is today an Archbishop Parrish and the pastoral services are given in the Church of Jesus (of the same school)and it is the countries 'cathedral today.
The new Jesuits of the Society of Jesus come from Portugal to Angola to deliver and co-ordinate Ignatian Spiritual Exercises to religious communities and lay people. The actual society has in Luanda only one parish since 27 years ago.
We have some new vocations from the local people in Angola, some of them re in their advance formation close to become Jesuits. However we have some cases in which they have left our community. It is because in war ambience in which we live it is difficult to think about vocations.
There are no, therefore, Jesuit Alumni from Angola. We are in the process of building a house for spiritual exercises in which we have a lot of hopes for the future.
A friendly and warm hug to you and my best wishes for your work with the alumni.
João Caniço sj.

USA
Individual U. S. alumni associations continue their activity. Among their work for the marginalized we have the following programs in operation:

  1. St. Ignatius College Prep of Chicago -has community projects, which range from one-time events, such as painting apartments for senior citizens, working at soup kitchen, to week-long summer service trips to the Appalachian Mountains. St. Ignatius a sponsors a Jesuit Alumni Service Corps - Chicago for recent college graduates, who receive the opportunity to live in community and volunteer t St. Ignatius College Prep or St. Procopius beginning in August 2001.
  2. Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, MO)has "adopted "St. Francis Xavier Church and Grade School, the only Jesuit sponsored parish and grade school in Kansas City, as its community service focus. Twice a year, alumni and parents volunteer their time to beautify the St. Francis campus in whatever way requested. The grade school serves a mostly inner city student body with limited resources.
    The Association a sponsors an annual day of reflection for alumni and fathers. Over 80 guests attended the seventh event in this series, which had a theme of creating a stronger relationship with God and included opportunities to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and celebration of the Mass.
  3. Regis High School (N. Y. )is working on a program with "Healing the Children -Northeast ". Alumni and parents are working to develop a team of volunteer medical professionals to travel to an area of South America, Africa or Asia, where children are in need of re-constructive surgery, due to accident or birth defect. One alumnus, Rick D 'Amico '68, has a long history of participating in this program and will be the recipient of the John Francis Regis Award , given each year to an alumnus, who distinguishes himself in the service of others.
  4. Tampa Jesuit High School (FL)holds its annual retreat and Christian formation program for alumni of Jesuit institutions in their geographical area.
    The US Jesuit Alumni web site has taken two steps closer to reality. Mario Soavi, the WUJA Webmaster, has secured permission for us to locate our site on the same server as WUJA. In addition a student at Regis High School (NYC)is helping us to develop the page format and structure, which will allow alumni association personnel in North American schools to place information directly on the site.
Ron Ferreri
Council Member



THE JESUIT RATIO STUDIORUM: 400th Anniversary Perspectives
Edited by Vincent J. Duminuco, S. J.
Presented in Seminar of Fordham University, Graduate School of Education
FORHAM UNIVERSITY PRESS - New York – 2000


The guiding pedagogical document for Jesuit education world-wide was definitively set out in a 1599 tome entitled Ratio Atque Instituto Studiorum Societatis Jesu, "The Plan and Methodology of Jesuit Education."
This plan has been praised by scholars from Francis Bacon in the seventeenth century to Harry Broudy and Paul shore in our day. Some scholar and educators, upon learning of this tradition for the first time, have called it a "best-kept secret ". And so it was timely that t the dawn of the new millennium, an invitational 400th anniversary celebration of the Ratio Studiorum would be held at Fordham University in October 1999. The fruit of the scholarly papers presented there make up the substance of this book. In addition, two keys documents of the late-twentieth-century renewal of Jesuit education are included in the appendices of this volume. Both The Characteristics of Jesuit Education (1986)and Ignatian Pedagogy: A Practical Approach (1993)have been out of print in English and are provided here in full.

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The Jesuit Ratio Studiorum: 400th Anniversary Perspectives
Edited by Vincent J. Duminuco, S. J.
Presented in Seminar t Forham University, Graduate School of Education (307 pp. )
- ISNB:0-8232-2046-X /$29. 95 hardcover
- ISNB:0-8232-2047-8 /$19. 95 paper
FORDHAM UNIVERSITY PRESS –New York –2000

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