Our Service of the International Church
The New York Province has had a long history of service to the needs of the universal Church.
MICRONESIA
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After the Second World War, the New York Province was given
responsibility for what were then the United States Trust Territories in
the Pacific and which are now the Federated States of Micronesia, the
Republic of Palau and the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands. The U.S. Territory of Guam also came under our care. Today,
these islands are a dependent region of the New York Province served by
indigenous Jesuits, Jesuits from New York and New Orleans provinces, and
Jesuits from Japan, Myanmar and Indonesia. The Jesuits serve in
pastoral ministry and have two high schools, both in the Federated
States of Micronesia, Xavier High School on Chuuk, FM and the brand new Yap Catholic High School on the island of Yap, FM. |
In the summer of 2008, the Jesuits of Micronesia assembled on Pohnpei for a retreat and regional assembly. They were:
[Back, l to r:] Juan Ngiraibuuch, Tom McGrath, Kenneth Urumolug, Wayne Tkel, Arthur Leger, Greg Muckenhaupt, Paul Horgan, Anthony Eddy, Jack Curran, Rich McAuliff
[Middle, l to r:] John Hagileiram, Fran Hezel, Joe Cavanagh, Jim Gould, Ken Hezel, Bill McGarry, Joe Billotti, Peter Schineller [retreat director]
[Front, l to r:] Dave Antonelli, Christoforus Risanto, James Croghan, Wilbert Mireh
The Jesuits of Micronesia, 1968
Dedication of the Cathedral on Chuuk
The renovated Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was rededicated on November 27, 2008.
Micronesian Seminar
The Jesuit organized Micronesian Seminar is a treasure house of historical information. Begun in 1971, the Seminar has become an educational force as its programs in various media explore cultural topics and draw links between the Islanders past and their present. The website is most informative and allows a visitor to discover the many avenues of interest available through the Seminar's resources. Fr. Fran Hezel, S.J., past Director of the Micronesian Seminar, has published an article on the mission of the Seminar - Change in the Pacific: A Jesuit Response.
Philippines
New York Jesuits have been active in the Philippines from 1921 until that nation became its own Province in 1958. At that time, some New York Jesuits chose to become members of the new Province.
North-West Africa
New York Province Jesuits began an association with Nigeria-Ghana in 1962 in response to an appeal made by the Holy See to the Superior General of our order. The New York Province remained committed to establishing a presence in that country through many difficult years that included a brutal civil war. In time, the works of the Jesuits flourished as did vocations to the Society. With increasing numbers of indigenous Jesuits, it became possible for Nigeria-Ghana to look toward the day when it would become an independent
Province. This day came on July 22, 2005 when the North-West Africa Province was formally established by decree of Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General of the Order. The ordination of three ANW Jesuits took place the next day. The Province encompasses the nations of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Gambia. A small contingent of New York Jesuits, along with Jesuits from other Provinces in the U.S., remain in the North-West Africa Province working alongside their African brothers and Jesuits from other countries throughout the world. http://www.jesuits-anw.org