By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald

Ever wanted to re-establish your Jesuit connection? You know, the bonds you made going to University of San Francisco, Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, Marquette, Santa Clara, Georgetown or other Jesuit-run institution on the mainland? The relationships you established in a Jesuit parish? The feeling you had making a Jesuit retreat?

You will have the opportunity to re-enter the Jesuit universe at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, from 4 to 6 p.m., on April 22.

The event, called “The Company You Keep,” is a pupu and no-host cocktail reception hosted by the Catholic Campus Ministry of the University of Hawaii in Manoa.

Organizer Marty Silva, a Jesuit novice, said the evening will be an informal gathering open to anyone who would like to rekindle old Jesuit ties and participate in future ones.

There is no cost of admission, but you are asked to call Silva at 988-6222, or e-mail him at marty@newmanhawaii .org, by April 9 to be added to the guest list.

He said that there are easily 2,500 graduates of Jesuit institutions of higher learning living in Hawaii. He checked with alumni groups and learned of 585 from Marquette and more than 600 from Georgetown, just to name a few.

Campus ministry partner Soane Uiagalelei said that the Manoa Room of the cultural center will be furnished with tables and decorated with “discussion starters” — questions on display boards.

Jesuit Father Christopher Cartwright will give a short welcome. Opportunities to join in future activities such as retreats and lectures will be provided.

Uiagalelei said he hopes people will just “enjoy themselves.”

The only formal Jesuit community in Hawaii is the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish which sponsors the Catholic Campus Ministry. Father Cartwright is the pastor.

According to Uiagalelei, the Newman Center has 950 registered parishioners of which about half attend services on a regular basis.