Road Forward in JCSA Communications Ministry

JESCOM Annual Meeting 2024 was held on 14-16 September 2024 at Dhyan Ashram, Kolkata. The theme for the JESCOM Annual Meeting was `Re-Imagining and Re-Structuring of Communication Apostolate in South Asia Conference of the Society of Jesus.’ At the Inaugural Eucharist, Fr. Sunny George Kunnel SJ, the Socius, Calcutta Province, stressed the need of `communicating the message of hope’ to the people with `fire.’

The three sessions of the first day were masterfully conducted by Fr. Brian Pereira SJ (KAR) on the theme “Re-Imagining & Re-Structuring Communication Apostolate in South Asian Conference in the Society of Jesus.” In the first session he helped the delegates to prayerfully reflect on the contexts the Society of Jesus lives in, specially the recent past, with the restructuring it has gone through with REGAE I, REGAE II and SAP and pointed out that the follow-ups and the results in the conference, the zones and in the provinces, still remain a distant reality and hope. In the second session Fr. Pereira invited the delegates to prayerfully and in spiritual conversation highlight the challenges faced in JESCOM ministries both externally and internally and how we have responded to those challenges. In the final and the third session, Fr. Pereira invited delegates to reimagine a vision for JESCOM through Ignatian Imagination. Delegates worked in pairs to draft and present their visions, identifying common themes and unifying factors. In the evening of the first day, the delegates visited Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), St. Xavier’s College located at Ajaynagar, Kolkata.

The second day began with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr Justin Tirkey, Ranchi-JESCOM Coordinator and concelebrated by Fr. Xavier Anthony. Madurai-JESCOM Coordinator. Fr. Maria Joseph Israel, Professor of Computer Science, St Xavier’s University Kolkata,  conducted one session on `Artificial Intelligence’ and another on `AI in Jesuit Communication Ministry.’ He focused on the topic `What is AI and the usage of AI.’ Along with the theory, he also gave practical usage of various AI tools like PollEv.com, Midjourney, AI Pin, PixVerse.ai, Otter.ai. He ended the session with a challenging question `What values do we bring into rather than just using AI Tools? He also created a google classroom to facilitate sharing of resources. The second phase of the second day meeting included presentations on Province/Region Communications initiatives based on PAP (Province/Region Apostolic Preferences) and sharing of the good practices. On the second day evening, the delegates got an ample chance to visit Kalahrdaya and Chitrabani.

The final day started with the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Sebasti L. Raj, Secretary, Inclusive Development. In his presentation `The Way Forward: RR in JCSA Communications Ministry’ he highlighted various initiatives, which could be taken up by Provinces/Regions and collectively at the Conference level. In conclusion, Fr. Vernard Antony, JCSA Communications Coordinator, guided the planning exercise.

JESCOM  is extremely grateful to the Calcutta Jesuits for the generosity and love showered through their hospitality during  JESCOM Annual Meet 2024. Special thanks to Fr Arjen Tete, the Provincial, Calcutta Province, for his magnanimity in hosting this JESCOM Annual Meet 2024 at Dhyan Ashram, Kolkata. Thanks to Frs. Brian Pereira, Maria Joseph and Sebasti L. Raj, the resource persons who guided the delegates to reflect on the theme RR and journey forward in Communication Ministry in SA Conference. Our sincere thanks to the  Community members of Dhyan Ashram, who took care of all the JESCOM Coordinators with good care. Finally, a `Big Thanks’ to Fr. James Vivekanandan, who took all the responsibilities in planning and organising this successful JESCOM Annual Meet 2024.

Reported by: Fr. Vernard Antony, SJ, JCSA Communications Coordinator