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A young lay woman who hails from Mindanao in the south of the Philippines has begun work as a part time secretary at the APAC Secretariat in Manila.

As we are trying to make the Secretariat the hub for APAC communications, she has been employed to assist the official APAC Secretary (Sr Jocy Widwid, pictured at left) in this task.

Should you wish to make any enquiries regarding APAC activities please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat. The secretary will normally be in the office Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (8am – 5pm). If she cannot help you she will at least be able to put you in touch with someone who can.

St Augustine’s House of Studies at Aluva, Kerala, India was recently the venue of the annual meeting of OSAAP. This organization comprises the Provincials and regional superiors of the Order of Saint Augustine in the Asian-Pacific nations of Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and the Philippines.

All jurisdictions except that of Papua, Indonesia were represented. From the Augustinian General Curia in Rome, the Prior General and Fr Eusebio Berdon attended. The first regional superior of the newly-erected Delegation of India was welcomed to the meeting.

The meeting heard a report from each jurisdiction, and discussed plans for the spread of the Order into other parts of Asia. It was agreed that steps be taken to make the Order’s work in the Asia-Pacific better known both among the Augustinians of the region and within the Order internationally.

In the election of officials for OSAAP, Fr Jerome Mesina (Cebu Province) was elected president, Fr Tony Banks (Province of Australia) vice-president, and Fr Masaki Imada (Vicariate of Japan) secretary.

The National Commission of Culture and Arts of the Philippines Government has approved a plan to conserve and repair the historic monastery and church of San Agustin at Intramuros, Manila. This will be a long-term government project in receipt of government funding.

After recent preparatory studies, the decision was made to give initial priority to the restoration of the stone walls of the inner cloister of the monastery, and to the restoration of the windows on the first and second level of its inner corridors. This work began in October 2006, and is due for completion in February 2007.

Subsequent stages of the work will be more comprehensive and much more expensive. This includes the repair and improvement of drainage around the buildings, which are 400 years old, and work on the roof.

Within the monastery the famed Museum of San Agustin, under the direction of Fr Pedro Galende O.S.A., is presenting a display of a hundred archival photographs that show some of the history of the church and monastery. These heritage-listed buildings were constructed by the Order of Saint Augustine between 1587 and 1606.

As well as the museum, the monastery houses the Augustinians who attend to the Church of San Agustin, and also novices of the Vicariate of the Orient and the Delegation of Tanzania, both of which jurisdictions are part of the Province of the Holy Name of Jesus (the “Philippines Province”).

For thirty photographs of the Order of Saint Augustine in Intramuros, choose the photo gallery named Philippines: Intramuros after you click here: http://augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=6

The new Delegation of India of the Order of Saint Augustine has taken possession of a school with 900 male and female students. Begun in 1996 as the Sembagam Metric Higher Secondary School, it is located in the city of Pollachi in the State of Tamil Nadu.

In conformity with Indian law and practice, the school will remain open to persons of all religions. It is situated 200 kms from Edacochin in Kerala State, which is a major Augustinian centre in India.

Fr Xavier Kattikat has been placed in charge of the school project, and an Augustinian priory will shortly be established nearby. The Prior General and the Augustinian Provincials and regional superiors of the Asia-Pacific visited the school during their OSAAP meeting in India in October 2006.

The Order in India conducts parishes at Edacochin and Thalappuzha, St Augustine’s minor seminary at Edacochin, and St Augustine’s study house (major seminary) at Aluva. At present there are a total of 49 young men in initial formation. Nineteen of these are solemnly professed, and two are due for priestly ordination after Christmas 2006.

For fifty photographs of the Order of Saint Augustine in India, choose the photo gallery named India after you click here: http://augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=6

..........Within the Order of Saint Augustine, the Province of the Holy Infant of Cebu (Philippines) has plans well underway for the development of a retreat and spirituality centre at Consolacion, Cebu (the second locality north of Cebu City). Five hectares – about 13 acres - of land has been purchased on an elevated sloping terrain, with views to the sea.

Architectural plans are now being prepared. Eventually to be included in the property will be a new novitiate and the house for the Augustinian Provincial house.

For twenty photographs of the Order of Saint Augustine in the Province of Cebu, choose the photo gallery named Philippines: Province of Cebu after you click here: http://augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=6

A summer program leading to a Master of Arts degree in the study of St Augustine has begun at the Saint Augustine Centre of Studies (SACS) at Quezon City in Metro Manila.

The new Masters program was officially launched at the SACS graduation ceremony on 27th March 2006, and the first units of the program were taught from 10th April to 20th May 2006.

The teachers of these units were Fr Arnel Dizon O.S.A. (An Introduction to St Augustine), Fr Pederito Aparece O.S.A. (Augustine and Neo-Platonism), and Dr Macario Ofilada Ph.D. (The Dialogues of Augustine). All units are taught in the English language.

There are choices of outcome available within the program. These give different options such as equipping the student to teach Augustine to others, or else preparing the student for further studies in Augustine at a doctoral level.

For example the option that leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching Augustine studies Augustinian pedagogy, Neo-Platonism, Augustinian metaphysics and Augustine’s theory of knowledge. It then surveys Augustine’s sermons, letters, and major books.

The full program is expected to require three summers of classes by each student, and variously also some comprehensive examinations or the writing of a thesis.

............Students from overseas or other parts of the Philippine can apply for summer accommodation as SACS (photo at right), depending on its availability.

The next courses will be offered in April-May 2007. Printed information on the course in general and in particular, plus enrolment details, are available in a brochure that may be obtained by writing to the St Thomas of Villanova Institute of Philosophy, Saint Augustine Center of Studies, Fisheries Street, Visayas Avenue, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines.

A three day spirituality conference on the writings of St. Augustine will be held in Kerala, India on 10th-12th October 2006. The three day conference was conducted for over a hundred participants by Fr. Thomas Martin O.S.A, (pictured) the renowned Augustinian scholar and lecturer from Villanova University in the U.S.A.. In 2005 he gave a similar conference at Manila.

...........This was the first time that APAC has organized a spirituality conference in India.

The President of APAC, Fr. Michael Sullivan O.S.A. who resides in Korea said, “This conference generated interest in Augustine in Kerala and beyond, and hopefully will inspire many young Augustinians in India to undertake a deeper study of his writings.”

APAC Conference for Formation Personnel and Vocation Promoters - Philippines, November 2006.

The APAC Formation and Spirituality Commission has organized a conference for religious formation personnel as well as both religious and lay vocations promoters.

It will take place in the Philippines on 19th-24th November 2006 at the University of Regina Carmeli, Malolos, Bulacan, (photo at left) which is within easy reach of Manila. The leaders will be Fr. Laurence Mooney O.S.A. and Fr. Paul Maloney O.S.A. of the Centre for Augustinian Spirituality at Greystanes (Sydney), Australia.

Involved in the planning locally are Fr Alan Otadoy O.S.A. and Fr Andrew Batayola O.S.A., the leaders of the APAC Formation and Spirituality Commission.

For more information about costs and booking procedures, contact the APAC Secretariat in Manila: apacphil@yahoo.com or phone the Secretariat at the La Consolacion Convent, 273 Santolan Road, San Juan, Metro Manila.

.......... The Augustinian parish at Kasai was founded in what in 1969 was a low-rent area of Tokyo in 1969 with perhaps twenty Japanese workers and their families. This Augustinian mission has now become a magnet for Asian workers and students, in addition to the present 500 Japanese parishioners.

..........The first to come were very devout Korean Catholics (see photo above). They were second or third generation residents of Japan from the days of forced labor for Imperial Japan before and during World War II. But now, increasingly, they are vigorous Korean young men and women arriving to learn Japanese in order to enter universities or high-tech companies here.

...........Philippine parishioners have increased so much that the Sunday 4:00pm Mass in English is bulging at the seams. Many have put down roots and married Japanese nationals; their children are Japanese citizens who do not necessarily speak English or Tagalog, presenting new challenges to help them grow in the Faith.

........... Most recently,Indian citizens have established a large community here in the Kasai area, mostly for the burgeoning IT (information technology) world and its communications.Hindu and Christian families from India are seen in the supermarkets, wearing sari and native dress, blending into the colorful mix that is modern-day Tokyo.

On a recent Sunday we had a dozen Indian couples with little children at our English Mass,meeting with Brother Arun,a young Indian Jesuit studying Japanese and helping out here at our 4.00pm English Mass.

........... Signs of the times, indeed.Our APAC Augustinian outreach beckons. How can we all help each other better in this globalised world?

............(The above is a shortened version of a report kindly prepared by the Augustinian pastor at Kasai, Tokyo.)

.............Photos of Augustinian ministry in Japan are available in two photo galleries named "Japan: Nagasaki" and "Japan: Fukuoka and Tokyo" at: http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=6

The Augustinians of the Assumption based in Korea have requested full membership in APAC. This certainly will be granted, although the APAC Statutes require an application for membership to be approved by an APAC Convention.

The Assumptionists first came to Korea in 1987, and on 10th October 2005 blessed and opened their new house in Gwanju, in the South Cholla Province of south western Korea.

The house is dedicated to Notre Dame de Salut (“Our Lady of Salvation”), which is a title under which the Assumptionists honour the Virgin.

The Assumptionists now have five Korean applicants in various stages of formation (see photo above). On 2nd July 2006 one of them became the first Korean to make his final profession as an Assumptionist. Another is now taking two years for novitiate and language study in France, and two are continuing their theology studies at the Major Seminary of Gwangju.

Members of the Order of Saint Augustine first arrived in Korea in 1985, and in April 1994 opened what is now their central house in Incheon in April 1994. Their assets in Incheon are now being considerably enlarged.

After months of delay because of building permit problems, concerns from neighbours, and a longer than usual rainy season, work finally began at the beginning of August 2006 on the St. Rita Spirituality Centre and new accommodation premises for those living at the Augustinian home for boys, “No-rang Na-rang” (“You and I”).

The two new buildings (see diagram above) are being constructed directly behind St. Augustine’s Priory in Incheon on the former site of the old No-rang Na-rang Home, which has been demolished, and on a small adjacent block of land purchased three years ago. The site was blessed on 1st May 2006.

The St. Rita Spirituality Centre will be able to seat more than 200 people for lectures and one day conferences which are already being planned for 2007. In addition the space will be used for the celebration of the Eucharist at our Saturday morning masses. In recent years the number attending these Masses has grown and it became apparent that a more spacious facility was needed. It is also hoped that the centre will become the venue for some sacred and classical music concerts during the year.

In the new No-rang Na-rang Home there will be accommodation for two Augustinians, a house mother, and up to eight boys. It is hoped that the whole project will be completed by the end of this year.

The cost of the St Rita Spirituality Centre will be around one million Australian dollars. The members of the Korean Delegation are most grateful to the Augustinians of the Australasian Province which has donated most of the money for the project.

For sixty photographs of the Order of Saint Augustine in South Korea, choose the photo gallery named Korea after you click here: http://augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=6

...........The priestly ordination of Bernardus Baru O.S.A. occurred at Sorong, Papua, Indonesia on 30th July 2006. It took place in St Peter’s Church in Sorong (see photo), which is a parish that the Order of Saint Augustine administers for the local Diocese of Manokwari-Sorong.

Two other Augustinians from the Region of Papua became priests earlier in 2006. With over fifteen of the professed who are studying at STFT in Jayapura seeking priesthood and seven young men now in the novitiate at Sorong, the future prospects of the Augustinian Region of Papua look promising.

Repository in mother house chapel.

............The Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation now have the mortal remains of their co-foundress, Mother Consuleo Barcelo y Pages, transferred to a temporary repository located at the left rear-end portion inside the chapel at their mother house at 273 Santolan Road, in San Juan, Metro Manila.

............Mother Consuelo was born near Barcelona , Spain , and worked as a religious sister with orphans from 1883 to 1899. After the Spanish-American War, she returned to the Philippines in 1904, and served until her death there in 1940. She had four consecutive terms as the first superior General of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation, from 1915 to 1940.

............The process of beatification of Mother Consuelo has been officially forwarded by the Archdiocese of Manila tro the Vatican.

Augustinian Sisters of God's Mercy

............The Augustinian Sisters of God's Mercy are an Indonesian congregation with membership in APAC. Much of the ministry of their 105 religious sisters in fourteen different communities focuses on the provision of medical clinics in the region of Indonesia called Kalimantan Barat (formerly Borneo ).

............Sr Augustini (general superior) and Sr Gabriella Titin (APAC liaison person) attended the APAC Convention in Incheon, Korea in July 2005.

............In the vast region of Kalimantan Barat, many of the Augustinian Sisters work in first aid centres, of which eleven now exist.

............A clinic they began in 1963 has now developed into their largest apostolic venture - the eighty-bed Fatima Hospital at Ketapang, West Kalimantan. Its grand opening ceremony took place on 9th August 2006. Thirty-six of the Sisters will work in the hospital and adjacent clinic, as nurses and administrators. Two doctors are employed full-time in the hospital, and another six part-time.

............Hospital facilities have in fact operated on the site as an enlarged clinic with twelve inpatient beds since 1973 (see photo).

............In writing about the opening of the Fatima Hospital, Sister Augustini said, “Praise the Supreme Lord for His majesty in all miracles in our life. Because of His glory, the development of our hospital is now fully accomplished.”

............Building of the hospital turned into a very protracted process. It was constructed mainly on donations that came from outside of West Kalimantan, and at one crucial point a promised major donation did not eventuate.

............A number of APAC jurisdictions have donated to the Fatima Hospital project. To enquire about doing so, contact Sr Gabriella Titin O.S.A. at Ketapang (who speaks English). The postal address is Augustinian Sisters of God’s Mercy, Jl General Sudirman 31, Ketapang 78813, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.

Augnet

Augnet Augnet, a comprehensive web site on Saint Augustine and the Order of Saint Augustine, was fully redesigned and renovated in May 2006.

It contains over 1,144 pages of text, which also contain over 1,445 illustrations. The Augnet web site was officially "launched" at a ceremony in Sydney in August 2002, with the Augustinian Prior General from Rome as the guest of honour.

New technical features in the renovated Augnet include a search engine, which searches every page of Augnet for any word or phrase that is nominated by a user, and a site map, which quickly allows a visitor to see and understand the local arrangement of Augnet's sections and sub-sections.

About 1,800 large images in extensive photo galleries illustrate of Augustinian events and places internationally. Between August 2002 and April 2006 Augnet has served 63,000 different hosts/URLs, and presumably many of these hosts have visited Augnet more than once.

These hosts have downloaded 734,000 pages of Augnet. This is an average of 17,000 pages per month, 580 pages per day and 24 pages per hour throughout that period of forty-four months.

There were 14,542 separate visits to the Augnet website during the calendar month of September 2006, which is an average of almost 500 visitors a day.

Visit this web site at http://www.augnet.org

Other news

News and general details about the Order of Saint Augustine internationally is located at: