Monday, December 1, 2014

December 2014

FOR OUR REFLECTION


pictures taken from this link
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=spigot-chr-gcmac&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&p=first+week+of+advent

As we begin Advent, we light one candle in the midst of all the darkness in our lives and in the world. It symbolizes our longing, our desire, our hope. Three “advents” or “comings” shape our desire. We want to be renewed in a sense that Jesus came to save us from our sin and death. We want to experience his coming to us now, in our everyday lives, to help us live our lives with meaning and purpose. And we want to prepare for his coming to meet us at the end of our lives on this earth.

As we light the candles on our advent wreath, we offer this prayer

“Lord, the light I choose to let into my life today is based on my trust in you. It is a weak flame, but I so much desire that it dispel a bit more darkness today. Today, I just want to taste the longing I have for you as I go to the meeting this morning, carry out the responsibilities of my work, face the frustration of some difficult relationships. Let this candle be my reminder today of my hope in your coming.”


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FUKUSHIMA KEN

Noda Machi Halloween Party



Last Nov. 2, just in time for the All Souls day mass, the Noda Community celebrated their Mass and Halloween party. Thanks to the organizers Hawak Kamay Fukushima who prepared the Mass and the party. There were around 25 people who attended the Mass. 
During the party there were games and prizes for the best Halloween costumes. 
































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Iwaki Catholic Church

We celebrated our mass in Iwaki Catholic Church last Nov. 23. For almost two months we were not able to celebrate the mass in the area due to my schedules. We planned to have our Christmas celebration on Dec. 23 at 2 pm. The group promised to call people to join in our mass celebration that day. 

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Koriyama Catholic Church

Last Nov. 30, we had our mass with Koriyama community. Before the mass, i was informed by the group that a Filipina had died in the area and they wanted to offer a mass or a blessing before here burial. The body will be brought to the funeral parlor at 11 in the evening and so we schedule the mass the next day. Fr. Itagaki offered to do the mass before the burial.  

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AOMORI KEN

Hachinohe Mass



During our mass we bless several children who are aged 7, 5 and 3. In Japanese Churches during November 15,  the children are blessed  in the temples and churches. Shichi-go san is a rite of passage for children who aged 7, 5 and 3 to celebrate their growth and well-being.

During our English mass, we decided to incorporate it in our mass and we were happy to have some sweets that was prepared for the children during our English mass. Fr. Sato helped in in the blessings of the children.

here is the link for the Shichi - go san festival

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%83%E4%BA%94%E4%B8%89


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Hirosaki Church



Last Nov. 12 we celebrated our Wednesday Novena and Mass in Hirosaki Church Community. Normally, this would be our last mass for the year because the snow is very thick during winter. This is also maybe the last mass of Pat who had been acting as the coordinator of the group in Hirosaki. We thanked Pat for all the work she did for the group. And Pat's wished is that the group will continue the prayer and the mass every second Wednesday of the month. They hope too to have an english mass on one of the Sundays. I cannot say "yes" for now but i hope I can find  a time to celebrate mass with the community in one of the Sundays of the month from next year. 


Vivian  Narumi featured in Aomori Newspaper

Pat shared to me the newspaper clip about Miss Vivian Narumi who was featured in the Japanese Newspaper in Aomori Ken. Vivian shared her experience living in Japan especially in Aomori ken. And she also introduced the Philippines to the people where she is in contact with everyday.




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IWATE KEN

Rikuzen Takata - Ofunato 3rd  Anniversary Block Rosary


Last Nov. 15 Rikuzen Takata - Ofunato Community celebrated their 3rd anniversary of the block Rosary.  They gathered together in a community center in Takata. Fr. Morita who came all they way from Sendai with Fr. Edgar celebrated the thanksgiving mass. There are more than 50 members who gathered together to pray the rosary and joined in the celebration of the 3rd anniversary.



from Erva's post in Facebook
"Today's event, Blk Rosary 3rd anniversary after 3,11,11.celebrated at naruishi komenkan at Rikusen Takata.A warm thanks to Fr Morita,Fr Edgar,and to all Pag asa members who came and join our special day.maraming salamat din po sa lahat ng nag effort para sa handang pagkain .Thanks to all again and May the Bless Us All always...P.S.Thank you Aibo and Rosemarie,お疲れさまでした"



Message from Fr. Harnoko 


My dear friends Pag-asa Iwate, congratulation for your 3rd anniversary of Bloc Rosary. From the 3.11, I learned from all of you how to be faithful in prayer, in sorrow as well as in joy. Let's be hopeful and keep our prayeful heart always!
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Ichinoseki Church


We celebrated our monthly mass in Ichinoseki Church last Nov. 15.  Terada sensei joined us in our mass with the community.  After the mass, Aiko with Sister Micheline gathered the children to follow up for their catechism. 




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Boodle Fight


Boodle fight is a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are on top of the banana leaves. Viands and rice ready to eat using your bare hands, jugs of water are prepared on the side to wash hands before the "eating combat". With the signal to start the boodle fight, everyone aims for his/her position.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=boodle%20fight

This was the scene of boodle fight in Ofunato.  Who ever wins?  You judge






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MIYAGI KEN

Mass in Watari Church

We celebrated our mass together in Watari Church last Nov. 2. Since it was also an All Souls day, we decided to offer the mass for our love ones who had died. We ask the Christians to bring a picture and list the names of the people they wanted to be prayed for our mass this day. 




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