News of JHS Jesuits What I Did on My Summer Vacation A MESSAGE FROM FR. PATRICK COUTURE, S.J., SUPERIOR OF CANISIUS JESUIT COMMUNITY, JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
my annual eight-day retreat. These eight-day retreats made by Jesuits every year provide time to rest, pray, reflect, and draw closer to Jesus. A Jesuit’s daily life can be so busy rushing from one assignment or obligation to the next that it is important to set aside time to be with Jesus and remind ourselves why we embrace our various missions: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. The rest of my summer was filled with visiting friends and family, preparing for the new school year, and fitting in some golf. The highlight, undoubtedly, was celebrating my sister’s wedding in June. I felt honored and privileged to play a part in what was a special day for my family and especially for my sister and her husband. Fr. Christopher Calderón, S.J. began the summer by attending the Jesuit Schools Network (JSN) Colloquium along with several colleagues from Jesuit High School. The JSN Colloquium is a conference held every three years for Ignatian educators from Jesuit schools across the country to engage in discussions on important issues concerning Jesuit secondary education, such as this year’s theme “Building Communities of Justice and Hope.” After the colloquium, Fr. Calderón headed south to Phoenix, AZ where he served at St. Francis Xavier Parish, helping with daily Masses and other ministries as well as visiting friends. Fr. Calderón also made his eight-day retreat after visiting family in Los Angeles. Fr. Bill Ameche, S.J. continues to work with great joy in his ministry with predominately Spanish-speaking communities, particularly in training people to be missionary catechists who will teach others about the Christian faith and the Catholic Church. Fr. Bill currently works with eight parishes, and is preparing YouTube videos to assist those interested in becoming missionary catechists. Fr. Bill experienced the beauty of the Oregon Coast when he helped at parishes in Rockaway and Tillamook for seven weekends this summer. He notes that a highlight was having his brothers and sisters visit him in Portland. They apparently “have fallen in love with Oregon.”
Fr. Patrick Couture, S.J. strikes a pose at the wedding of his sister, Megan Couture, and husband, Robert Bates, this summer.
As the 2018-19 school year came to close in early June, Jesuits West prepared to celebrate with much joy and gratitude the ordination of five members of the Society of Jesus to the priesthood. Fr. Stefanus Hendrianto, S.J., Fr. Andrew Laguna, S.J., Fr. Francis Nguyen, S.J., Fr. Travis Russell, S.J. and Fr. Robert Van Alstyne, S.J. were ordained on June 8 by Archbishop Alexander K. Sample at Our Lady of La Vang Church in Portland.
After our many summer adventures, the community came back together in preparation for a new school year. I am moved with a feeling of gratitude for you, our colleagues and companions, who generously share in the Jesuit mission through your many gifts and talents. We, the Canisius Jesuit Community, are able to embrace a mission that hopefully draws us all closer to Jesus because of your commitment and generosity. Thank you and may God bless you.
The pleasure of having the ordination in Portland and the ordination dinner at Jesuit High School brought many Jesuits to our school for the first time. Hoping to offer a taste of Portland, the dinner was catered by food trucks and a selection of Northwest beer and wine. It was a wonderful day to celebrate the devotion to service of five new priests who will now embark on their new missions to serve God and the people. Much gratitude is due to the individuals whose time, talents, and generosity helped to make the evening a special time for the Jesuits to gather.
Peace,
Shortly after ordinations, I left for Hayden Lake, ID to make
Fr. Patrick Couture, S.J.
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