BR. JAY VISITS DMC

Br. Jay (or Jacobus Too) has been in Melbourne since Friday, 23rd May. He has scheduled talks at DMC during the week. Jay is our new coordinator of Justice and Peace & Integrity of Creation (JPIC). He took over the new MINISTRY in March after coming from Liberia early this year.

After his final profession in 2002, Jay’s first assignment was with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Sydney for one year. After a year of working with and for refugees, Jay was assigned to Liberia (Africa) to continue his work with the refugees and internally displaced people (IDP) there. He was there 2 ½ years on contract with the Jesuits. According to him, his office and residence were next to the refugee camp where refugees lived. At that time, he was working with two other SVDs: one brother and one priest.

Since Jay’s return to Australia, Jay started visiting the SVD communities in Sydney, Alice Spring, and Melbourne. When asked how he’s finding his new job, he replied: “I’m still finding my way...” This means, when we finish one task, we start afresh all over again... ~

PETELO'S SHORT LIFE

On 23 May, Friday, as he was going to attend the morning Mass, PETELO, the brother of postulant Uili Uvea, was hit by an incoming car and died instantly. Sad, yes, very sad! Uili received the shocking news from his sister. Petelo (or Peter), 40 years old and single, resided with his parents in Tonga. Four years ago, Petelo suffered a stroke which caused him to limp when he walked. He was one of four brothers and four sisters. He is next to and older than Uili.

Our community will offer the Mass for him this coming Monday, the day of his funeral in Tonga. Uili will give a brief eulogy for his deceased brother. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to Uili and the Uvea family in this time of their grief. We take comfort in the words of the book of Wisdom which assures us that, “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God.” (3:1).

LE PHI LONG - A NEW DMC MEMBER ARRIVES

19th May (Monday) - It's always good news when our community increases even only by one. This time it's Le Phi Long, a Vietnamese, who finally got his Visa to come to Melbourne, Australia. He comes from a family of six children; he's the youngest and his parents are still alive. He made his first vows in 2004.

He arrived at 1:00pm at the Melbourne airport via Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong. First on his agenda will be to study English at the TAFE, then eventually continue his studies at the YTU.

Welcome, Le Phi Long! We're approaching winter, so keep yourself warm!

JOHN PRIOR ARRIVES

18th May (Sunday) - Today John Prior (inset photo with Eddy) arrived in the afternoon amidst falling rain. He came via Bangkok where he attended the conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops (FABC).

From the Melbourne airport John took the public transport which, he said, is usually very simple with his Sunday senior pass and the bus stopped right to the door! Now he has to attend to his Australian Visa and do some writing while he waits for his lecture-schedule at the YTU.

Welcome, John, and we want you to feel at home!

FORMATORS' FORUM GATHERING

On 26th April, Fr. Boni, our Postulants’ Director, hosted at DMC the bi-annual gathering of the Formators’ Forum held at DMC. There were 13 participants from eight different men-congregations around Melbourne: CSSR, MDL, OMI, OP, SJ, SSS, SDB, and the SVD.

After welcoming the participants, Boni asked Dom F. to give a brief tour of the important areas/facilities of the house. After that, Boni took over and presided over the meeting. Aside from the usual topics in regard to students’ formation, they talked about three urgent issues of today: First: The holding of a Formandi Conference in August 2009. The Formandi (students in religious formation) will attend the conference. They will discuss the topic: “Servants of the Sacred.” Second: What is the participation of each house of formation in the forthcoming World Youth Day? E.g. what concrete involvement before, during and after the WYD? Third: Fr. Boni shared to the Forum the newly reviewed SVD Formation Program of the Australian Province. He shared with them the process (the how) and the content (values) of our formation program, like how we live our internationality and community life. According to Fr. Boni, he had a captive and interested audience.

The Forum ended with a light dinner in which some of our community members joined in. ~