Tuesday, December 3, 2013

December 2013

For Our Reflection



"We cannot just sit and do nothing for them"








The Family The Prays Together, Stays Together
  by Erva Sugawara




ブロックロザリオ2周年記念

2年前の11月、いちばん初めのロザリオの祈りは津波に浸かったあとを直された仙台教区滞日外国人支援センターのアパートの一室で始まりました。そして、去年は陸前高田にある公民館で、今年は大船渡教会で25名ほどのパガサメンバーが集まり2周年記念を祝いました。震災後、仕事がなくよく集まった仲間も、だんだんと仕事が見つかり普段の生活に戻ると、なかなかみんながそろって祈ることも難しくなってきました。しかし、今回は多くのメンバーとその子どもたち、兵庫や東京・仙台からのお客様も一緒に、ハルノコー神父様のギターの音色とともに歌から始まり、英語でのロザリオの祈りとタガログ語のミサが行われ、その後にはみんなの持ち寄ったフィリピン料理!お酢を使ってお肉を煮込んだアドボやデザートにはココナッツミルクの味がする米粉を使ったクチンタなどでおしゃべりをしながら楽しい時間を過ごしました。
現在、ブロックロザリオ(ブロックでのロザリオの祈り)は大船渡と陸前高田で行われていて、毎週土曜日の午前中は大船渡のメンバーが教会で、月初めの土曜の午後、陸前高田のメンバーはマリア様の像を持って、メンバーの家を一軒ずつまわっていきます。出産が近い人、赤ちゃんが生まれた人、大事なテストがある時など、その時・その人のことを思って祈ります。このブロックロザリオ2周年記念の日はフィリピンの台風の被害にあったレイテ島の人々のために祈りました。依然、復興という長い道のりの中で、まだまだ癒しを必要としている彼女たちですが、今回フィリピンのレイテ島の人々の苦しみ・悲しみを自分のことのように感じ、その人々のために祈る気持ちは津波を経験した彼女たちだからこそいっそう強いものだと思います。
東日本大震災後、津波に家や車、持っているものを全て流され、つらく苦しい日々も仲間と集まり、祈り、支え合ってこられたことは、彼女たちにとってとても心強いことだったのではないでしょうか?いつもお祈りが終わったら、持ち寄ったお料理をみんなで食べます。食べ物の分かち合いだけでなく、タガログ語で自分の気持ちを話したり、仲間の話を聞いたり、心の分かち合いを行うことは本当に大切なことだと思います。また、マリア像を送ってくれたカトリック東京国際センター(CTIC)やロザリオをくださったたくさんの方々、会った人、会わなくても私たちのことを祈りを通して支えてくれている人々がいることを感じます。これからも私たちは一緒に祈る家族のような仲間と、祈りを通してつながっているすべての人たちとともに、復興に向かって歩んでいけたらいいな、と思います。

The family that prays together stays together
一緒に祈る家族はひとつになる。






Two years and Stronger.
Last Nov. 9, we gathered together in Ofunato Church to celebrate our second anniversary of our block rosary. Although people were busy for that day, many of us made time to pray and celebrated together this moment here in our community. 

Terada sensei with a colleague, visiting priest Fr. Mouchet, cicm, Fr. Morita some Japanese Christians join us in our simple celebration. 



Faith in Action

Response  from Tsunami Devastated Areas

Upon my arrival in Ofunato, i got a call from Kim our former AOS coordinator asking me call Takizawa san  one of the coordinator of the San Riku toritate cooperative here in San Riku cho ofunato shi. Kim told me that the group wanted to talk to me about how they can help in the typhoon victims in the Phil. 
The San Riku toritate cooperative is one of the groups helped by the AOS Japan to rebuild the fishing industry here in Ofunato. We also helped the children of the fishers for their education.
Takizawa said, seeing the news about the typhoon in the Philippines, he felt he need to do something for the people of the Philippines. Loosing everything after the tsunami and receiving help from many people, was the happiest experience he could not forget. He said that this is the time for us to return the favor. although we are still recovering from the effects of tsunami and still putting up with our lives, we are compelled to help because we received much after the tsunami. 

After my visit to San Riku cho group,  the Hakken Gai group, a small shotengai near the Caritas base with Chida san the coordinator of the Hakkengai came to visit the church with omimai kin for the victims of typhoon in the Philippines. Chida san told me that, his experience of the tsunami two years ago and the outpour of help from many people had strengthen them to rebuild their lives. 

This outpouring of help from the local here is just amazing. The NHK and the local newspaper features our different Filipino groups from Ofunato, Kesennuma and other areas how we take initiative to help the victims of typhoon in the Philippines. Not only that, they featured how we gather together and pray for our country.

Mabuhay tayong lahat and i hope that this bond will grow stronger as we not only among us but also with the Japanese people.

with Takizawa san during the opening of their cooperative in San Riku Cho





Responses from the different Communities After the Typhoon

After the typhoon that struck our country, am very happy to see the initiatives that started in the different communities.  I would like to introduce some of the Facebook groups here, indeed our solidarity for the victims of the typhoon is badly needed this time for our country.

Hawak Kamay Fukushima




Gud P.M officers and members of HKF group!
Donation boxes are now distributed in different snuck bar and restaurant.
All ur contribution will be well appreciated! yung gusto rin pong gusto mag bigay ng instant noodle is also appreciated po!
Maraming,maraming salamat po!
宜しくお願いします <(_ _)>


Filipino Community in Sendai-Miyagi



"Magandang Umaga po sa lahat meron po tayong Misa ngayong 2:pm ng hapon.Kumakatok po kami sa inyong mga puso ng konting donasyon para sa mga kababayan natin na nasalanta ng bagyong YOLANDA..ang konting tulong pag pinagsamasama ay dadami din po....Meron pong DONATION BOX sa simbahan ..maraming salamat po at kitakita po tayo mamaya ."


PAG ASA - Iwate

"To all Pagasa Ofunato and Takata members....

For us who lives here in Tohoku, 3.11 experience was very traumatic for us. The fact that the wounds caused by that disaster doesn't healed yet. For sure the scars will remain forever. We've been praying for no more earthquakes and tsunami. But still ,our beloved fellow Filipinos were hit by super typhoon Yolanda and storm surge that caused lost of lives , properties and works.

Us, being victims, knew so well and can relay on what they are going thru right now. We're still on the recovering stage, but they need our help. Please don't hesitate to extend and give a little portion of what we have. And God will do the rest for us.

You can call your assigned leaders, if you 're busy enough, for your donations.
We will be very thankful for the early response from all the members."
May God bless you all. Thank you.
Hirosaki Group - Aomori



"Magandang Gabi po sa inyong lahat nais ko lamang pong ipaalam sa inyo na hindi matutuloy ang gaganaping X'mas Party natin sa Hirosaki sa susunod na buwan bilang sakripisyo sa mga kababayan natin at mahal sa buhay na nasalanta ng bagyong ”Yolanda” imbis po na gumastos tayo at magsaya ilaan nlng po natin ang perang gagamitin natin sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan ng tulong ito po bolungtaryong pagtulong inaasahan ko po ang inyong pang unawa at pakiki isa , humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sana po ipag saalang alang natin ang sitwatsyong naganap sa ating bansa."


Mizusawa-Kitakami Catholic Church Group

"I told Japan Red Cross Mizusawa Branch chief that you all wish to hold collections of donations on a street for Philippines.And then,he gave his ready willing consent.

He promise to make documents for applicaions,and bring them city office and several stores by tomorrow.Please for wait their response."


Bayanihan- Kessenuma

"Give back" Japan Tohoku Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake kick off support activity for typhoon Philippines.
Philippines immigrants are taking the initiative with Japanese.
Support activities for the central Philippines, which suffered extensive damage in the typhoon No. 30 has been activated in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Fishing boat rises out to land, state of local survivors wander the streets that have been destroyed, overlaps with the sight of the northeastern coastal areas immediately after the tsunami 2011.3.11 . Tohoku Tsunami Victims , received foreign aid so that they said that they must "give back" to people who are in a more difficult situation."Seeing the news reminded of tsumani tow years ago" .(tears flows). Takahashi Reichel said when she was interviewed.
Another Filipina, Oikawa Jeanne LozadaVice President (44) Bayanihan laments, "We have had lots of typhoons every year in the Philippines, but it does not compare to this time".

original article in Japanese
http://www.kahoku.co.jp/spe/spe_sys1062/20131117_04.htm?fb_action_ids=534173256674&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%22534173256674%22%3A127404514096489%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22534173256674%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D



Iwaki Filipino Community - Fukushima Ken





These are just some Facebook timelines i saw from the different communities but i know there are those who are making an effort to collect and send goods and cash to our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.  We keep and praying for our country so that our people will have a speedy recovery from this recent disaster.





Iwate Ken

Congratulations to our New Care Givers




We would like to congratulate our new care-givers from Ichinoseki. After almost 6 months of their preparation, finally they were able to get their license. 
Fr. Harnoko celebrated the mass in Ichinoseki and together with that Fr. Harnoko gave the certificate and the license of our three new care- givers.  Congratulations and we hope to see all of you doing well in your work as care-givers from now on.



Osaka Diocese's Sakai Block Visits  Ofunato

welcome to our simple community

Osaka Diocese Sakai Block Parishes (Sakai, Senboku, Kongo and Hashimoto Churches) came to visit Ofunato Church last Nov. 24. Last May this year, with the support from the Osaka Diocese and Sakai Block some members of our community had the chance to visit Osaka. At that time they promised to make a visit and pilgrimage to Iwate ken. 

As we had been welcome very well by Sakai during our visit in Osaka, we made sure ourselves that they are felt welcome. Upon the arrival of the Sakai Block, we welcome them from the bus parking area and we walk together up to the church. During the mass Father Armando Romero is the main celebrant. This is also to give us his blessing a newly ordained priest to Ofunato Community. Fr. Morata , Father Harnoko and Fr. Garry did a short sharing remembering how our community started and hopefully will strengthen this bond we have started. 

After the mass, we went to the hall of the kindergarten and have a short program. It was indeed a day full of fun and surprises as people singing and dances during the program. 

eagerly waiting for Sakai block community


Early Christmas Celebration in Mizusawa Church

International Mass

While it's too early to say Merry Christmas this time of Advent, Misuzawa Church Community celebrated their Christmas party.  Last December 1, as we celebrate the first week of Advent, the community had their recollection and international mass lead by Fr. Garry Gestoveo, CICM. 

After the mass, the community had gathered together in the church hall for the Christmas party. There were singing and of course games for all.  I luckily won myself. 

Christmas Party in Mizusawa Catholic Church

everybody receives a gift after the game


hataw sa kanta at sayaw - sister act aka Mizusawa Choir act

GOODNEWS  GOODNEWS  GOODNEWS

MY HOUSE BLESSING
by Marife Sugawara


fr. Haru leads the block rosary and blessing of the house of Marife
Marife Sugawara lost her house two years ago in tsunami and we are indeed very happy for her that she is able to have one. Slowly, we can see some signs of recovery in the devastated areas. Here is her sharing on her feelings of having a house after two years.



Finally, after two years and a half of waiting , at last, I'm in my new house. I had it blessed last Nov.9  by Fr.Haru. I requested and invited friends from Ofunato and Kessenuma to attend our block rosary and at the same time the blessing of my house.

At first , I can't believed that I had it already. I know that my life from now on will be different but with God's help I know, we will overcome all the trials in life. This is just the beginning . Maybe I'm the first, among  17 members that have been a victim of tsunami who had the house . And I know that this is the start. After me, one will go next . And the next . We must not loose faith. Not loose hope. Because that's what God wants us to be. There's always “HOPE”.

There's always “PAGASA”.

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