SEPTEMBER 2003

SEPTEMBER 2003

1). 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 7, 2003
On Monday, our Indonesian friends in Milwaukee, Renus-Sari and Nevan, their baby, came to visit us in Franklin, in order to introduce 2 Xaverian Indonesians, Ignas and Wawan.
On Tuesday morning, I wrote and sent some of postcards to Indonesia and sent my new address to Immigration office as they asked to me when I change my address to Chicago. After lunch, drive by Father Alfredo, we headed down to Chicago. I move to Chicago in order to continue my study in theology. We’re Jesus, Mario, Ignas, Dharmawan, and I. In the Xaverian theology house, which is located at Hyde Park, there were Father Adolph and Father Pascal, and the others were still out of city. After dinner, I introduced both of my Indonesian confreres to Mbak Shafa, an Indonesian woman, who studies in Chicago and lives close to our house. Normally, I buy phone card from her.
On Wednesday morning, by the kindness of Father Adolph, we could visit the Museum of Science and Industry, which is close to our house, about 25 minutes on foot. We enjoyed the tremendous museum. Like last year, Petrus, introduced me to an Indonesian priest, Father Edi, osc at CTU, so did I invited Ignas and Dharmawan to visit him at CTU. In the afternoon, a Xaverian Congolese student, Pascal, came to our house, from Rome. He will be studying English in Milwaukee with Ignas and Dharmawan.
On Thursday afternoon, Father Aniello Salicone, presided the Holy hour, and we had dinner at Lebanon restaurant close to our house. We enjoyed the food, and luckily we could take the leftover home. At night, we watched DVD entitled Harry Potter, Secret of Chamber.
On Friday morning, I invited Ignas and Pascal to go to book store Borders on 53 street, also went to the store to develop photo. After lunch, I took the three Xaverian new students, Ignas, Wawan, and Pascal, to downtown Chicago, visiting public library, and strolling through Michigan Avenue toward The John Hancock Observatory. We enjoyed ice cream at Ghirraldi. Alexandro drove us and invited us to go up to this second highest building in Chicago. In the evening, Sergio and Victor came from their visit and vacation in Mexico.
On Saturday noon, my Xaverian classmate, MTG, flew to California. He decided to leave the Xaverian. Even though, I was amazed about it, but he has decided and he’s happy to do it. Have a nice trip, M and be happy in your new life, we pray and keep in touch one another. In the afternoon, Father Rocco, the Xaverian theology rector, came back from his family home, Boston. At 4.30 p.m., a fellow from China town parish, and his son, Mathew, came to our house, brought 2 AC from Father Michael, and they pick us up to go to Chinatown. Father Michael Davitti invited us to know the church and cooked for us. So wonderful and warm he welcomed us, the Xaverian new students. Thank you so much Father Michael and Aniello, see you next time. We were strolling along the Chinatown and suddenly, a couple of young Chinese took a walk and one of them said, “yang ini, yang itu”, then we recognized that they must be from Indonesia. We’re amazed hearing that. At 8.45 p.m., George dropped us to Hyde Park. Thank you also George and little Mathew, your son.
On Sunday Morning, Alexandro, Jesus, and I took the 3 new student going to Franklin-Milwaukee. At 4 p.m., at the shrine of Saint Francis Xavier, there was mass for the Xaverian volunteers. As new students, we were introduced to them. I was happy chatted to Mr. Doc Van der Hayden family. Tomorrow, Ignas, Dharmawan and Pascal will be starting their English study at SHST. Have a great time to enjoy everything grace that you’ll receive. Tomorrow morning, I’ll return to Chicago, my new community. Good bye Franklin, good by SHST. Thank you for all of experiences for the past year.

In faith, hope, and love,
Denny Wahyudi, sx

2). 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 14, 2003
On Monday, September 8, I returned to Chicago with Alejandro and Chuy. Today, Father Cinh, a former of Xaverian visited us in Chicago. At night, Alexis returned from his vacation in Minnesota. Living in a new house that is different than before, cost me transition with little bit sick, a headache and difficulty to sleep.
On Tuesday, Father Adolph flew to NYC for vacation. I did “kerokan” myself (rubbing my body with coin and oil) because of my sick. At noon, Petrus came back to Chicago after spending vacation for 2 months in Indonesia.
On Wednesday, I was still sick, but I tried to be survived. This morning, Petrus moved to Saint Therese parish, Chinatown of Chicago. In the afternoon, I helped Sergio to make BBQ.
On Thursday, September 11, 2003, was the 2nd year anniversary of terrorist attack on the twin tower in NYC. In the morning, Father Rocco invited Chuy and me to visit museum, the Chicago Historical Society and knowing Chicago city. We had lunch at Thai restaurant. At 5 p.m. we had holy hour, which was attended also by Father Aniello and Petrus from Saint Therese parish. At night, I still felt sick.
On Friday morning, after shopping at 53rd street, in front of the SCJ theology house, I had to rest for one hour since I got little bit headache. After lunch, at 1.50 p.m., we (8 Xaverian theology students and 2 Xaverian priests) went to the Bellarmine retreat house in Barrington, Northern side of Chicago, Illinois. We arrived to this place after 1 and half hour. After supper, we began our retreat, which was led by Father Steve Hurd, sj. There were also many laymen who followed this retreat. Totally, there were about 55 people.
I could enjoy the retreat solemnly. The retreat was simply “Jesuit style”, little talk from the guide priest and we had to work ourselves with the Holy Spirit. It reminded me when I had retreat at the beginning of my novitiate year in 1997 by Romo Padmo, sj. Above all, I was grateful to have this retreat in order to renew my life and gladly I could understand what the retreat preacher talked about. In spite of my sick and twice bleeding of my nose in the 2 mornings, I could follow all of sessions and made reflection on my life. The retreat ended on Sunday after lunch, but we as the Xaverian still stayed at the retreat house to continue our retreat till Tuesday afternoon. Thank God for this spiritual exercise.

3). 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 21, 2003
For 2 days, we were guided by a hermit from Chicago, Brother Wayne Teasdale. He taught us about centering prayer and lectio divina. For me, those kinds of prayer I have exercised during my novitiate and I used to do the centering prayer for I read a book of John Main about this prayer. This retreat reminded me to practice both of the prayers that normally I neglect them in my daily prayer. Practically, I have practiced the centering prayer twice a day in the morning before mass and in the evening for 20-30 minutes. I do it by repeating a sacred word in my heart and mind that I chose, “Ma-ra-na-ta” consistently as I breathe.
On Tuesday after supper, we visited the Mundelein Seminary, the diocesan seminary of Chicago. It’s so big and wide. Unluckily, we had to go out since the police told us that we’re not allowed to visit the seminary that day. We continued our journey to Franklin Knoll, Milwaukee, to have the Chicago community planning. Wednesday till Friday, we were discussing and planning our project for the following academic year. Principally, it’s quite same with my experience in the Xaverian philosophy house in Jakarta. While the weather was changing to be cooler drastically, we were going to the Holy Hill at Friday afternoon, 45 minutes from Franklin. We had a mass presided by Father Rocco and each of us got a cross necklace as a symbol to begin and escort our daily life in Chicago. We had supper that day at the Brewery restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, and returned to Chicago after took our bags in Franklin-Knoll.
On Saturday morning from 9 till 2.45 p.m., Chuy and I went to CTU to have orientation day. Even though the school is small, but I believe the quality is incredible, so various in the many things like religions, ethnics, nationalities, religious congregations, lay people and the staff and faculty. I have to meet my academic advisor, Gil Ostdiek on Tuesday morning to talk about my study planning. In the evening, Mbak Shafa, an Indonesian woman, our neighbor, invited us to have supper. Father Rocco, Jacques, and I went to this event. I met Matius and Sony, the 2 SVD Indonesian students from Flores who study at CTU, Father Edi, osc, Mr.Stanley and family from Makasar, and other Shafa’s friends. I enjoyed the Indonesian food like sate and rendang.
On Sunday morning, I had a holy mass at Saint Thomas the apostle, only 10 minutes by on foot. I met my ESL-SHST classmate, Octavio, an SCJ student at the church. I invited him to the Xaverian house and I went to his theology house at 53rd street, our neighbor also. He told me that he studies in the ESL-Program at De Paul University in downtown Chicago. He has an Indonesian girl classmate, a daughter of the Consulate General in Chicago. Since I never went to the Indonesian Consulate in Chicago, so I decided to go with Octavio to visit his school and to meet her tomorrow morning, then I will take a walk toward the Consulate, close to their school in downtown Chicago. Hopefully, I can find the Consulate and register both of my Indonesian Xaverian confreres in Milwaukee and myself to the Consulate, especially registration for the General Election of Indonesia. I have appointment also at 11.30 a.m., to meet Steve, an Indonesian man, who works in downtown Chicago. Even though, I never met him, but we have contact by phone especially with Monci, his wife. I know them from a Catholic couple in Jakarta, who are their parents and the CHOICE couple, Ferry-Lely. I wish my planning would be realized tomorrow in order to know Chicago, some friends, and especially the Indonesian Consulate.
Last week, I couldn’t send my journal because I had to attend the retreat and community meeting. So, this week, I send my 2 weeks journal. See you next week with my new experience in Chicago.

In faith-hope-love,
Alexander Cornelius Denny Wahyudi, sx

4). 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 28, 2003
On Monday, I went to the SCJ theology house for mass at 7.15. Following Octavio, an SCJ student, I went to DePaul University, downtown Chicago. He studies English here. I met an Indonesian girl, Marlin Pasaribu, a daughter of the Indonesian Consulate in Chicago. She is Octavio’s classmate. Nice to meet her, but unluckily she told me that that day the Indonesian Consulate was closed for the Isra Mi’raj, Islam holiday. Afterward, I took a walk toward the Indonesian Consulate on North La Salle Street to know the place, and then I met my Indonesian friend who never I met before, Steve, who works in an office on North La Salle Street. He treated me to a Thailand restaurant, eating fried rice. I visited the Atrium Mall, which is located in front of 180 N. La Salle, the Steve’s office, and bought $ 4,- a pair of shoes at payless store. Returning to home at 1.30 p.m., I met Father Adolph, sx was already came back from NYC and ready to begin his sabbatical-study year at CTU. At night, I had been talking to my rector, Father Rocco.
On Tuesday, after mass and breakfast, Chuy and I went to CTU for orientation and meet Father Gil Ostdiek, OFM, our academic advisor. At 2 p.m. I met Dawn Notwehr, a Fransiscan sister (OSF), a director program of M.Div (Master of Divinity). She needs some time to look at and consider my theology subjects that I have from my philosophy and theology school in Jakarta. They accepted my basic theology subjects, but I need to take 3 others basic courses like: the Introduction of Social Ethics, the Introduction of Liturgy, and the Introduction of Pastoral Care. With Gil Ostdiek, I planned my theology study for one year ahead. He suggested 4 courses for this Fall quarter: The Introduction of Social Ethics, The Gospel according to John, the Experience of God in the Contemporary Society, and the Missionary Dynamic of the Church. Because the last one was already full, so I only took 3 courses. So, I have class on Tuesday morning and night, Thursday morning, and Saturday morning. Come back from CTU, I worked to clean the windows at dinner room.
On Wednesday, I cleaned the chapel since now on I am a sacristan of our chapel. I was glad to do it. I arranged the new composition of the chapel, so we won’t be boring. I also have in charge of the International XAVERIAN theology correspondence. In our supper, 2 former English teachers of DePaul University came to visit us. At night, I got phone from Rina-Budi, an Indonesian young Catholic couple, who asked me to give sharing at their Indonesian prayer group on Friday evening.
On Thursday morning, Chuy and I went to CTU for registration. In the sunny day at 11 a.m., we as theology community were going to the Dune National Park and Lakeshore in Gary, Indiana. We had BBQ, played volleyball, badminton, and took a walk along the beach of the Lake Michigan. It’s wonderful scenery on the beach, where we could see the buildings of the city of Chicago both downtown and Hyde Park. During the winter, the theology community used to go here for playing ski. Jacques, my older confrere, helped me to practice driving a car in the big parking lot. It’s nice to have this experience that reminded me when I practiced it in my hometown Madiun and Jakarta but I never had a chance to drive. At 7 p.m. we watched movie entitled Matchman Stick with Nicholas Cage as the main character. We came back home at 10.30 p.m. Today was a good recreation and togetherness with my Xaverian theology community.
On Friday, I wrote my sharing reflection for animation at St. Therese Church and Father Rocco corrected it. At noon, by bus number 6, I headed to the Indonesian Consulate to report myself and register of the Indonesian Public Election, including both of my Indonesian confreres in Milwaukee, Dharmawan and Ignas. That day was raining. For 2 hours, I was in the office of the Consulate. I was glad that everything was done well as I wished. They have stamped my passport so when some day I come back to Indonesia for vacation and then return to the USA, I don’t need to pay fiscal at the Indonesian airport. At 4 p.m. in the raining day, I was walking from N. La Salle toward the 9th street, the condominium of Budi-Rina for 30 minutes. I met Elizabeth, friend of Budi-Rina, who prepared food for our prayer meeting. She just moved from Philadelphia. At this prayer meeting, there were 8 people: Budi-Rina, Elizabeth, Steven, Sherly, Magda, and Marvin. I shared my reflection about lay ministry both in the USA and Indonesia with the light of Luke’s Gospel chapter 9 and 10. It’s nice to have this meeting prayer and sharing that I missed it when I was in Milwaukee. I enjoyed also the Indonesian food they prepared. Thank you for all of my Indonesian friends who invited me to this group. At night, Budi-Rina and Elizabeth took me home. Thank you once again, may the prayer group will be growing and fruitfully.
On Saturday morning, as usual, I washed my clothes. At 11.30, I met Devi, my Indonesian friend who lives in Chicago but I never met her. I know her from her younger sister in the Ursula Elementary School. Finally, before she moves to Seattle on Monday, I could meet her. She treated me at Ghirardeli ice cream in downtown Chicago. Thank you Devi, may you will get soon what you wish in Seattle, Washington State. She took me to the Red Line train close to cathedral, and then I went to Chinatown parish. So, now I know 2 kinds of public transportation, the bus number 6 and the Red Line train. At 5 p.m., in St. Therese church, we had a mass with animation from us. We were Father Rocco and 3 Xaverian students (Adrian-Mexico, Jacques-Congo, and I-Indonesia) who shared our reflection about Xaverian Missionaries works in our countries. The number of people who came to attend the mass was 20-25. Since this day was the 33rd priesthood anniversary of Father Michael Davitti, we were treated to eat out at Chinese restaurant.
On Sunday morning at 8 o’clock, we also gave the same sharing at St. Therese Church. The mass at 9.30 a.m. was attended many people, more than other mass schedules. After mass, I talked to a couple, Lusia from Korea and her husband from Indonesia. In the basement, Alejandro gave presentation of the Xaverians with power point, but unluckily there were a few numbers who attended it. At 12.30, we returned to Hyde Park and I wrote this journal, while the weather was cool, 55 F (13 C).
After walking with Jacques, I attended opening mass of the new academic year at CTU at 5 p.m. The mass was presided by the president of CTU, Father Donald Senior, CP. There were a lot of people from various countries. The liturgy especially the songs were arranged wonderfully so that it reflected the plurality of us. It’s an amazing experience for me to know one another. After mass, I went to visit the SVD theology house with Sony, an Indonesian SVD student. They have big house with 40 students of 9 different countries, which were divided into 4 groups. Thank you Sony for your kindness to show me your community and to take me home. See you next week.
This following week, I will start my theology study. For this intention, I beg prayer from all of you so that I can study very well. For your kindness to read my last letter in September 2003, I appreciate it very much. See you next week with my new experience.

In faith-hope-love,
Alexander Cornelius Denny Wahyudi, sx

Herewith my sharing in Chinatown parish:

INDONESIA
Denny Wahyudi – September 26, 2003

Indonesia is located in the Southeast Asia. It has about 13,700 islands and hundreds of different tribes, local languages, and cultures. Indonesian language is the national language. Indonesia proclaimed the independence on August 17, 1945, after Dutch had colonized Indonesia for 350 years and Japan for 3 years and a half. Indonesia gained the Independence with struggle in the war against Dutch and Japan. Indonesia has about 220 million people, which is the 4th largest population in the world after China, India, and the USA. About 90% of Indonesian people profess Islam. It is the largest number of Islam population in the world. About 6 million people are Catholic, and the others are Protestant, Buddhist, Hindus, and local religions.
In 1951, moving from China the first 8 Xaverian missionaries landed in Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia, where most of the population profess Islam. In 1970, Xaverians began to work in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. In Jakarta, Xaverians work in a parish, which is located in Chinatown, Toasebio. Most of the parishioners are of Chinese descent. The parish school is named The Ricci School. In Jogjakarta and Jakarta, Xaverians work in the inter-religious dialogue. There are 40 Xaverians from Italy, Mexico, Spain, and Indonesia work here. In 1985, Xaverians opened a Novitiate in Jakarta. Today, there are 10 Indonesian priests, 31 students in philosophy and pastoral year, 20 students in pre novitiate - novitiate, 14 young men in the preparation for pre novitiate and 10 students in the 4 International theologies (4 in the USA, 2 in Mexico City, 2 in Italy, 2 in Philippine). Apparently, the vocation to be a Xaverian in Indonesia is growing fast and fruitfully.
I come from Java Island, Indonesia. I am of Chinese descent, but I lost the Chinese culture since my ancestors were born in Indonesia a long time ago. I only speak Indonesian language and my local language, Javanese. My mother was Catholic and my father is a non-Catholic, and they married in the Catholic Church. I was baptized in the Catholic Church when I was in High School. I had an idea then to be a priest, but my father didn’t accept it. After High School, I worked for 3 years in Jakarta, and I decided to join the Xaverians in 1996. Afterward, my father became very proud of me for my way of life to be a priest. He always talks about me to his friends. I came to the USA last year in November 2002. Now, I study at CTU-Chicago and live in the Xaverian theology house in Hyde Park. I look forward to completing my preparation for priesthood in the next 4 years. Your support and prayers are very important for me in order to be faithful in my journey to missionary priesthood.