Short notices

• The launch of Jesuits in Hong Kong, South China and Beyond, will take place in Milltown Park at 7.30 p.m. on 28 January. Fr Provincial will present a copy of the book to a representative of the family of each Jesuit who served in Hong Kong and Malaysia. All who are interested are most welcome to attend what should be a joyful occasion kindly hosted by the Miltown Park community.
• Bob Deiters, a Jesuit in Japan, sends us the latest word on Bill Johnston SJ: “Bill hasn’t made much improvement, but he seems to be keeping up his spirits wonderfully. He welcomes visitors and tries to talk, but what we hear is not intelligible—although the impression is that he is thinking straight, but just not physically able to coordinate his tongue with his thoughts.”

Why China?

Last week’s AMDG Express anticipated a visit to Belvedere by the Chinese Ambassador, to celebrate a student exchange programme with Jesuit schools in China. Why China? There are three major Province priorities following the 35th General Congregation: to find a language for faith in dialogue with secularism; to help young people find God in their lives; and to make the Gospel message credible through our action for justice. Essentially we are called to go and spread the good news of the Gospel. Given the college involvement in the frontiers in its local community through the Vincent de Paul, Boys and Girls’ Youth Club and the Belvedere Social Services with Fr. Peter Mc Verry SJ, in Calcutta and in Africa, one might wonder why China featured as the next frontier. There are good reasons – read them below. Read more »

Building in Galway

In 1998 Coláiste Iognáid submitted its plans for new classrooms, and last September the Department of Education announced that it was one of 25 projects which would get the go-ahead in 2008 or 2009 (they claim to have set aside €900 million for capital expenditure on schools). Since then Board members have twice travelled to the Building Unit in Tullamore looking for action, only to be asked for more statistics and costings. These have now been prepared. There have been some changes since the original plans, and there is divergence of views about what proportion of the costs the Department would carry. John Humphreys’ present hope is for a go-ahead by the end of the school year in June. He is not holding his breath.

Ecumenics then and now

The Venerable Patrick Lawrence, Rector of Julianstown and Archdeacon of Meath and Kildare, has been appointed the new Rector of Monkstown (church pictured here) in the Diocese of Dublin. While AMDG does not conscientiously report all Church of Ireland appointments, this one has special news value because Patrick’s wife Anne teaches Maths and Science in Belvedere, and his daughter Jane is a Leaving Certificate student in Loreto College, Balbriggan. Ecumenism moves slowly, but to see that there has been some movement, compare this news with a letter in 1847 from the Rector of Belvedere to the Jesuit General (see below)… Read more »

CLC in prayer

Something new is happening in Leeson Street. Michael O. Gallagher SJ has started an eight-week retreat with thirteen Christian Life Community members. Each Saturday they come together with Michael, reflect on what has happened in their prayer, and take away a set of texts to shape their prayer for the coming week. God alone knows what happens in prayer, but Michael is happy with what he sees and hears.

Young Scientists

What do young scientists look like? Here is a sample from this year’s exhibition in the RDS. Clongowes is proud of Henry Glass (pictured here with Taoiseach Brian Cowen), whose individual project won the runner-up overall prize for the second year running.  A young Gonzagan won the Science Foundation award, and four of his colleagues were highly commended. Thomas Breen from First Year in Belvedere took second place in the Junior Technology section, and two other Belvederian groups stirred much interest with their projects. For a fuller picture of the work from all three schools, read more below. Read more »