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In memoriam Father John Paul Mooijman (1915-2003)

Father John Paul Mooijman, S.J. died on February 28, 2003 after a short sick-bed at Nymegen (Netherlands) at the age of 87.

John Paul Mooijman was born July 3, 1915 at Stompwijk (Netherlands). He entered the Jesuit Order in 1933, studied English language and literature at the University of Amsterdam, and was ordained priest in 1947. For many years he was an enthousiastic English teacher at several Jesuit high-schools. In the same time he visited American universities (Harvard, Yale, Georgetown) and high-schools in order to study the development of modern foreign language teaching and its application. He was a speaker at many meetings and a regular writer of articles on that subject. After his retirement in 1980 he continued to devote himself to the improvement of teaching and learning foreign languages. For that purpose he was till his great age a regular visitor to Canada and the USA, in order to keep abreast of theoretical and practical developments.

Father Mooijman was a grandson of Johannes Mooijman (1845-1906) and Wilhelmina van de Sandt (1861-1944). Although the kinship was not very close, he had a particular relationship with the Van de Sandt family. Regularly he was in touch with members of the family in the Netherlands and Germany. He had a warm interest in the Van de Sandt Foundation. Only two months before his death he wrote to the President that he greatly appreciated what the Foundation already did and still intended to do. He considered the present generation of the family as a golden link in a long chain, going from our ancestors who made so many sacrifices for their children and children's children, to our descendants with regard to whom we have the same obligations.

Father John also had a special connection with our American 'cousins'. Each time when groups of American Van Zandts came to Europe, he was present; sometimes as an interpreter, but always as a good friend. Those who took part in the American-European family reunion at Xanten (Germany) in 2000, undoubtedly can remember his impressive farewell speech to the American participants. The text of this speech follows here:

Father John in discussion with the younger generation on the family reunion at Xanten (Germany), October 2000.

Dear friends,

Although less entitled to doing so (Herman at 92 having so much more to tell you, myself a modest 85) may I say a few words, bidding you: 'Farewell'.

What a mystery! One night flying from New York to Amsterdam, lying across a few seats in the back, the plane being half full, at 22.000 ft above the ocean, looking out of the window, watching the moon and the stars, human beings achieving this!

What a privilege to be aware of living on this magnificent space-ship 'Earth', circling the sun; you in the United States, we in Europe.

What a privilege playing an active part in its development from generation to generation: what Herman (and Elsabé) achieved (and still do!) - you achieve, in midstream - the younger ones are anxious to achieve in turn: the same, and even more.

Thank you for coming! Who would not be deeply impressed, inspired as every one will be on travelling through the States and meeting people, come together from all parts of the world, often poor, with hardly any education when they arrived. Looking around today: what they have achieved, from east to west - some 4000 kilometres, from north to south - some 3000 kilometres! Indeed, it is breath-taking! And why?

About two years ago, there to help an oncoming professor/teacher of German - two know more than one - staying in Philadelphia; therefore, bound to pay a brief visit to the Old Town Hall and, in the park, face the cracked Liberty Bell: a young man touched it lightly, reverently. What an act of dedication!

For why did all these immigrants come to the States? To achieve Freedom for themselves, their families and all descending generations - for themselves and for all!

Thank you for coming, inspiring everyone here this evening. Yet, as you return to the States, inspired by the historic sites, visited today, and above all meeting some of the descendants of our common ancestors in Europe; the same spirit alive in them. And - not including myself - what wonderful and energetic people they are!

Indeed, you and they, each a golden link today - what greater honour to show to the generations that went before - what greater challenge to meet the rightful expectations of the generations to come, on both sides of the ocean.

Farewell!




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