Lent-Easter Miniletter 2008 Luis Gutheinz, $J <{00046@mail.fju.edu.tw> 2008 47.2 9 29 4 10:54 Gutheinz, SJ. BRAT KEE EBE 24255 A ALWRRTIE TH EBA 514 4 103 HE Tel, (02)2901-7270 ext (H)339 (O)155,15 Fu Jen Catholic University Faculty of Theology, (0)155, 156, (339 103 Lane 514, Chungcheng Rd. 6 24255 Taipei Hsien, Hsinchuang City Fax: (02) 2901-4219, 2908-0835 TAIWAN, R.O.C. Mobile: 0958-193-403 £,00046@mail fju.edu.tw Lent and Easter 2008 DEAR FRIENDS, “,.and there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (Rv 8,1) In the prophetic literature the coming of Vahweh is often preceded and heralded by silence. May I wish you moments of deep silence during Lent and Easter, so that the TRIUNE GOD may come and fill your hearts with His joy and hope (Gaudium et Spes, Vatican 11) Again, nearly 3 months have passed since the last mini-letter of Advent-Christmas 2007, New Year 2008, As it is part of our life, joyful celebrations and heartbreaking funerals, inspiring workshops and agonizing brainstormings made up the rhythm of these past months On December 22, 2007 we placed the ashes of Sr. Regina Huang Bi-xia, O.P., Superior General of the Chinese Dominican Sisters, in their dignified burial site. Sr. Regina, a precious friend since nearly 30 years, died by a traffic accident near Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, on December 11, 2007. Even now, after more than 2 months, when writing these lines, I am crying as we all did on December 22, in Dounan, Yunlin County. I firmly believe, that Sr. Regina with all her creative leadership and radiating humor is fully alive, definitively immersed in the mystery of the Triune God. Sr. Regina, please, pray for us! In the spirit of Christmas, on the first day of the New Year 2008, the priestly ordination of Rev. Zhang Jin-guang of the diocese of Hualien, assembled many friends from near and far in Donghe Village, where Fr. Meinrad Tschirky, $.M.B. has planted the seeds of faith and vocations to the Priesthood and Sisterhood. Since Rev. Zhang is the 5" priest of the Ami-population, it is understood, that the whole celebration, inspite of a nasty rainy wind from the nearby sea, offered ampleopportunities to unfold the cultural beauty of Taiwans aboriginal populations. The Society of Jesus is going through its 35" General Chapter (January 7-March 6, 2008), On january 19, 2008 the 217 participants of the “General Congregation” , as it is called among Jesuits, elected the now Superior General in the person of Fr. Adolfo Nicoliis, .J., born in Palencia, Spain, just 71 years ago. As a missionary in Japan and teacher of theology in several places in East Asia , he brings with him the unshakable faith from Spain, the wide horizons of missionary experience, and the learned wisdom of a fine theologian. We are looking forward to his first visit back in Kast Asia. At the funeral of Fr. Bemard Zhu Meng-quan, $.J. (83) in the Jesuit cemetery of Zhanghua, Taiwan, on February 16, 2008 T was struck by the following idea: Fr. Bemard and myself pronounced our solemn vowe together in Rome, on June 17, 1973,with Fr, General Pedro Arrupe, S.J.; then Bemie (ae ‘good friends used to call him) was the 3" Provincial Superior of the Chinese Province (1973-1978), in the following years he served in various positions of leadership in East Asia and in the USA, promoting with skill and wisdom the movement of “Marriage Encounter” and the attractive insights of the “Enneagram” . In his final years, attacked by a verocious cancer of the liver, he showed a marvelous lucidity of mind and transparency of heart. When putting the coffin down into the tomb, it was clear to me, that no such cold and dark tomb could hold the vitality of his whole person, Bernie cannot be dead, Ihe cant Lut live Ww the full! A few days later, on February 22-24, 2008, the 31" Theological Workshop of the Fu Jen Theological Faculty brought 117 participauts tyetlier tw study dhe theme of dhe fordicoming 12" Synod of Bishops (October 6-23, 2008): The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. 6 lectures tried to explain the main content of the Lineamenta. In the lively question-an-answer periods the following suggestions ~ among other good ideas - surfaced as a contribution for the Synod of Bishops in Rome: First, the final Lincamenta should explain more distinctly the relationship between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, secondly, the mutual relationship between Holy Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium deserves a more detailed treatment; and finally, the area of ecology and environment, as a challenging “sign of the time” , calls today for more attention when speaking about the mission of the Church Tt has been observed, that the § lecturers were only priests, no layperson and no woman among them. Certainly, there will be improvements for the next theological workshop , which might deal about St Pau, since the 2000 years anniversary of his birth is approaching. With God’ s grace our leprosy service continues. The next miniletter in May 2008, hopefully, can bring you the good news, that we are beyond Vatican I in the Denzinger-Huenermann editing work Again, in deep gratitude for your friendship and support, sincerely yours luis gutheinz sj