UNISINOS – RESIDÊNCIA CONCEIÇÃO
Residência Conceição 24 August, 2019 XLIX:2
UNISINOS
Cx. P. 101
93.022-630 São Leopoldo, RS e-mail: [email protected]
BRAZIL http://www.egfbenya.com
Dear Colleagues, Collaborators, Benefactors, Friends and Family:
This year the semi-decadal count (5-year intervals) of six major steps marking my life reaches a further plateau. Each of those six steps in that count completes another 5-year interval. These steps may mean precious little to anyone else but they mark a crucial dynamic that helps to define me. They include graduation from high school in 1964, entry into military service (U.S. Army) in 1969 entry into Religious life (Society of Jesus) in 1974, immigration to Brazil in 1979, Ordination to the Priesthood in 1984 and Third Probation in the Society of Jesus in 1989.
All of these involved some degree of discernment. At least one was obligatory by civil law at the time, another being obligatory by academic progress and the other four being obligatory by Divine Call. I will let you sift through them yourselves to perceive which ones fit where.
Each step has positive and negative aspects. Precious little planning went into any of them, although preparation was necessary for all of them. Their composite contribution however marks a flexibility that has allowed me a mobility in terms of ministries, works, apostolates and geographic service. The last of these, Third Probation, occurred at this time (August to December) of 1989. One might argue that my Dad’s birth into Eternity in August 1994 marks a seventh step in this count.
I address this sequence because 4 of these 7 steps began within the months of August and September of the respective years in which they occurred. Celebration of each has its unique tone. All are essential.
Many of you were present in one way or another for many, most or all of these steps and you may not even have been aware of your presence, nor I, for that matter as they began. Yet that presence remains crucial, as is the subtle presence of Almighty God in all of our undertakings good or bad.
For the “good”, the Almighty is ALWAYS present. Yet even in the worst, He accompanies us, never quitting on us because He is the ONLY TRUE and Ultimate JUDGE of Good and Bad. I say this with humble gratitude as I celebrate the 25 years since my Dad’s birth into Eternity, 30 years since Third Probation, 35 years since Ordination, 45 years since entry in Religious Life and 50 years since entry into the military. These years have been incredibly happy. Your presence, support and communion with me have helped make them as such. In that I continue to thank God and thank all of you as I ask God’s every blessing on you, your families as I remain
Most gratefully in Jesus Christ
Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.