April 2014

For Our Reflection


3 Years After the 3.11 -
a Reflection by Marife Sugawara

It's been three years since that disastrous earthquake and monstrous tsunami hit us.

I am writing this two days before 3.11. Trying to looked back what happened 3 years ago. I am from Iwate Ken, Rikuzen Takata.

Everytime I passed by Rikuzen Takata compared 3 years ago, there is a big change. No more debris , no more “gareki.” It is clean. But the future seems so far from here. Where’s the city? I felt so sad for the people who are still living in the temporary shelter my relatives and my fellow Filipino friends who are still fighting to live after the tsunami.

Out of seventeen members I am the first one to rebuild my house. Instead of being fully contented, I still feel sad, because I was hoping too that my friends will also have their own houses in the near future.

Now that the “gareki” are gone, the need for job will increase from now on because the work in cleaning the debris will end by March this year. There are some who don't want to go back in the same company they've worked before tsunami. The memory still remains from most of them. It's been three years but the fact remains that the wound and the trauma of the tsunami doesn't healed yet for the people in Tohoku.

Many of them are still crying inside, traumatized, worried if they can still afford to have a new house. I know that some are contented to stay in the temporary shelter. I pity them but I know that the city is doing its job to be able to settle first and foremost the peoples' livelihood. It will take many years to wait and to bring back everything that was washed out. We can bring back the things that were taken from us, but the lives of the people especially the children who still have their future awaiting for them were already gone.

I was trying to reminisce everything. This is my second life. It was because of my children why I am alive. I tried to pick them up that day. But because of a miraculous mistake, my plan to pick them up was the best mistake that led me to save mine and my youngest son’s life.Remembering this, tears will flow down from my eyes.

Tsunami is not that bad anyway, it had done some good things to us and our community.  We become one. And what is important is that, we found our way back to the Lord. From the church PAGASA was born.( We called our group PAGASA in Nihongo Kibou). Our group is not that yet strong there are many trials and difficulties along our way. Our group can be likened to the Miracle Pine out of 70,000 trees only one tree was left standing and trying to show us and telling us not to give up, we have to stand again and start anew.  

KIBOU.

PAGASA.

Never give up.

There's always a chance. There's always a HOPE. Not only for the Filipinos like me but for all Tohoku people.

Migayi Ken

Baptism of Ryoji and Aera in Watari Church

We had a baptism of Ryoji Susuki the son of Eden and Aera Ishizuka the daughter of Marissa. 

It was I believe the first baptism of the Filipino children in Watari. We did the baptism during the Japanese mass and it was celebrated in a welcoming atmosphere. The community are truly one to welcome and celebrate the baptism of Ryoji and Aera.

Ryoji receiving his baptismal certificate with his mother and his God father Mr. Yamasaki

Aera receiving her baptismal certificate with her mother.

the Watari Community welcomes our newly baptised

Fukushima Ken

Noda Machi Mass

The community in Noda Machi has been celebrating English mass every first sunday of the month. We gathered together and offered thanks for the all the blessings we received. Last March 2, we were blessed to have a guitarist in our mass. We will try our best to inform all the people about the mass in Fukushima so that we can gather and pray together.

We would like to thank Kaye Goto for all the services she had offered for us as our leader here in our community. Kaye you are always welcome to visit Fukushima. We know Fukushima is also your home and leaving the place is sad for you. Keep on praying for our group here and we do for you.



Shirakawa Block Rosary

melanie leading the rosary

Nica and Melanie welcome us when we arrived is Shirakawa. Fr. Tanaka called us informing  that he will be out but will prepare the altar for our mass before our rosary. I was expecting to meet the Sister Marcy or Lennie from Yohohama ENCOM but they were not able to come due to their  scheduled retreat with the group in Yokohama. 

After lunch we prepare for the mass with the children serving in our mass. Then we went to Melanie's  apartment to do our block rosary in her place.

with Fr. Tanaka after our Tagalog Mass

IWATE KEN

Mass In Kuji

After a five hour drive from Ofunato to Kuji, I am welcomed by the Christians in Kuji. We were waiting for the Filipino group to arrive. It was also snowing that day and they informed Fr. Sato that they will be late in coming to the church. While waiting, Fr. Sato told me that we will distribute the Ashes during the mass to remind them that it's the beginning of the Lenten Season.



AOMORI KEN

Hachinohe Mass

After Mass in Kuji Church, I went to Hachinohe to stay overnight for the 1 pm Mass the next day in Hachinohe. I send a message to Pedro and ask him to inform those who wanted to take a ride from the station to the Church. There were four ladies who joined me going to the church. But i am surprised to see more when i arrived in the church. They were already preparing for the mass and were practicing the songs. Monica informed me that she cannot make it to the mass because it the graduation of her son. But she told me that he will inform the group about the mass.

With good singing and an organised choir, the mass in Hachinohe is really superb. I hope this will be continued by the group.  






3.11 Commemoration and Events


Fukushima Hawak Kamay

Fukushima Hawak Kamay group had a reach out program for people living in Iitate Mura temporary housing in Fukushima Ken  last March 9, 2013. The group entertained and brought food to be shared with the people. 

These people are within the 12 mile radius of the Fukushima Nuclear Dai ichi plant. Returning to their towns is still not allowed due to high radiation in the area. 

Hawak Kamay Fukushima was formed after the 3. 11 disaster and had been doing this reach out program for people living in the temporary housing.

This year as we commemorate the 3rd year of the disaster, the group decided to do the reach out again and bring smile to the people who are still waiting for the day to return to their towns.











Here is the Youtube link of the video of the activity of the group

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2HcxZtFtwY#t=42


http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/196628/newstogo/grupo-ng-mga-pinoy-inalala-ang-ika-3-anibersaryo-ng-japan-quake-at-tsunami 





PAG ASA "幸福の星”　Charity Concert

 PAG ASA community with Nakagawa Goro, Fr. Haru and Garry

2014年３月23日、大船渡教会でお御堂に入りきらないほどの人たちと淳心会のハルノコー神父様・ギャリー神父様・エドガー神父様の３人でインターナショナルミサが行われました。その後、海の星幼稚園ホールでパガサと仙台教区滞日外国人支援センター主催によるチャリティーコンサートが上智大学の寺田教授の司会のもと、３・１１の追悼、タクロバン出身で現地の小学校で活動していたSr.ナリによるフィリピン台風の被災地の現状報告・パガサや教会に届けられた支援金の用途の報告、またそれに対する“ありがとう”の気持ちを表すために開かれました。

Yoshida Yoshiko san

ハルノコー神父様が歌うCD「幸福（しあわせ）の星」からSr.古木作詞作曲の「いのち」や「MAY BUKAS PA(明日がある)」など、水沢教会からクワイヤー、東京からギターのいわぶちさん、松原教会の末森さん、フォークシンガーの中川五郎さんとよしだよしこさんが来られ、さいごにはパガサのお母さんたちと子どもたちも一緒に「幸福の星」を合唱しました。

フィリピンの被災地の人々を思う日本の被災地からの“忘れない”という思いとみんなの歌声がひとりひとりの心に響くように…

Fr. Haru with Mizusawa Choir

Thank You So Much FR. HARU

From the beginning of March this year, F. Haru had been visiting the areas to celebrate the mass and to say thank you to the different communities here in the diocese. Last March 29, the Ofunato PAG ASA community, the Ichinoseki Church, the Kessenuma Church, the community from Ryori had gathered together in Ofunato to give their farewell to Fr. Haru who is going to the Philippines.

The PAG ASA community prepared a video clip for Fr. Haru tracing his journey with the community. It ended with a speech from Erva Sugawara one of the leaders. It was indeed a short and meaningful journey with the community. Fr. Haru also expressed that if one or two of the members happen to  be in the Philippines, don't  fail to visit him in Manila where he will be assigned from next year.




This is a short note from Terada Sensei, who came all the from Tokyo just to be with Fr. Haru on this farewell party

"今日の大船渡教会では、午前10時半からロザリオの祈り、つづいて11時からミサの予定でしたが、ロザリオ開始が少し遅れたようで、私が12時半に大船渡教会に着いた時には、主の祈り (Ama Namin) を歌っているところでした。ぎりぎりで間に合いました（最近、東北新幹線一ノ関駅から大船渡までの60数キロの道程は混雑気味です。土砂を積んだトラックやミキサー車が列をなして走っています）。ミサにはフィリピン出身者が30人くらい、お子さんが10数人くらいだったでしょうか。「日本出身者」はオルガニストをつとめていた林愛子さんと私だけ（たぶん）。私が教会に着いた時には、すでに涙を流している人たちがたくさんいて、ノーテンキな私は花粉症かと思ったものですが、そうではなくその直前のハルノコ神父さんのお話がすばらしかったのか、あるいは今日はハルノコ神父さんとのお別れの会でみんな集まっているためなのかも知れません。"





Events and Matsuri in April


After a long, cold, and snowy winter, spring has finally sprung, and the beauty of the season is welcomed not only with sighs of relief, but in a wealth of haru matsuri, or spring festivals taking place all over Japan. 

And of course the most common scene is the sakura where people go out for "hanami". Visit your local park areas and enjoy the sakura with your obento and a sip of sake.

March 2014

For Our Reflection

My Winter Reflection

The news of heavy snow had affected our activities, but we rather choose our safety than to go out there and be struck in a snowy road. People were complaining that they are tired and sick of the snow, they shoveling and cleaning everyday made them sick of seeing the snow. Some even prayed to stop the snow.


I have to say that while the snow is falling, it's amazing but once the snow is piled up to 2-3 meters, you begin to panic  and if you are driving  you begin to imagine you might be trapped or will not be able to move.


The whole experience reminds me of how hard life can be. There is a certain perseverance one has to have to make it through the relentless days of winter - the same thing can be said for any life's problems.


Instead of falling into the insipidness of winter, I am trying to accept it for what is it. The same holds true for the problems I have in my life - some things you just have to accept and wait for solution to present itself.   I have to trust in God’s plan for me and his timeline, not mine. 


It may not make the winter any warmer, but perhaps it will make it more bearable.

FAITH IN ACTION

News From Tacloban and Cebu

Last month we received a news from Sister Nari about the situation in Tacloban. She sends us picture of the children with a thank you message for the school supplies and the school uniforms they received.  Sister Nari is helping an elementary school in Tacloban that was washed out by the typhoon. Our March charity concert will be for the benefit of these children especially for their school uniforms because after the typhoon the children lost all their belongings.  We hope for your full support for our up coming charity concert here in Ofunato. 

In Cebu, I received a message from Fr. Fernold Denna, CICM, president of St. Louis School of Mandaue in Cebu that they received 9 boxes of goods from Japan. Here is Fr. Fernold's message;

"Hello Garry! Just to inform you that the boxes you sent to Francis Kupang through SLC-C arrived some days ago. Kupang entrusted the distribution to the typhoon hit areas to us. We will facilitate its reaching the intended recepients:the typhoon victims in North Cebu. we will update you later. Meanwhile, our sincere thanks to your generous parishioners and friends in Japan. Please relay the info to Gerry or Harnoko. Regards and ingat." 

a heartwarming message from one of pupils in Tacloban

IWATE KEN

Mass in Mizusawa

Fr. Edgar celebrated the mass in Mizuwasa last Feb. 2.  Father Edgar will be helping us for our masses here in the area.

He said he was impressed by the choir of Mizusawa church. They sing very well and have a good blending in their singing. He was especially impressed when the group sang "May Bukas pa" during the communion.


Block Rosary in Rikuzen Takata

Fr. Edgar attended the February block rosary in Takata. Every first saturday they move the rosary from one house to another. After the rosary Fr. Edgar guided the group to a sharing and a short catechism. We hope that we will continue the practice and little by little be able to deepen our faith.

repeat performance after the rosary

Kuji Mass

The news on heavy snow did not prevent me from going to kuji to celebrate the Tagalog mass this. I have been looking forward to meet the group.


I was met by the Japanese Christians when I arrived. Fr Sato was also there. Then there were three Filipinos who arrived and we did some practice for our songs and to assign the readers.


I feel that they too are excited to celebrate the Tagalog mass.
And since there were Japanese in the group I tried to give my homily in Japanese and Tagalog .
They said there are 60 Filipinos in kuji area. And they will inform them from now on that we will have a regular Tagalog masses every second Saturday of the month.






FUKUSHIMA KEN

Shirakawa Block Rosary and Tagalog mass

Every first saturday the Shirakawa community meet together for a mass and block rosary. 
Last Feb. 1 Fr. Harnoko visited the community and celebrated mass with them in Shirakawa church then after that they brought the Statue of the Virgin Mary to the house of Kim san and the group offered the rosary.
Sisters Margarete and Marcy  from Yokohama also were present.
They helped in the faith formation of the group.

Iwaki Mass

After the mass in, we had a simple gathering in the church hall. I noticed one man who was not during our mass. So I ask him where he is coming from and he told me that he was with Juliet and that he is a seafarer. He was the only one who was able to come to the church since the other companions have work.

I ask him where he is in the Philippines and he said Tacloban. So I ask him how is his family. He told me that they lost their house but the family members are all safe. He told me that he wanted to go home after the typhoon to see his family but his contract is not yet finished and leaving early before his contract will finish will entail a penalty. So he decided to stay until he will finished his contract and go home.

After our simple gathering, the Iwaki Community gave him a support money for his family in the Philippines.

We ask you to pray for our people in the Philippines who are still suffering after the typhoon. We hope that we always remember them, pray for them and support them.





MIYAGI KEN

Fr. Haru Celebrated Mass in Watari Church

Fr. Harnoko celebrated the mass in Watari Church last Feb. 22.  There were around fifteen Filipinos and Japanese Christians who gathered together for the mass. After the mass, there was a simple thanksgiving party for Fr. Harnoko.
Fr. Harnoko with Fr. Jose also prepared those children for baptism. We have three children baptism by March in Watari Church.





Indonesian Mass in Sendai

with Indonesian students in Sendai

Fr. Harnoko celebrated the mass with the Indonesian group in Sendai last Feb. 23 in Motodera Church. Fr. Insen joined Fr. Harnoko in order to introduce him to the group and for the continuity of the mass for the Indonesian in Sendai from now on.



AOMORI KEN

Thank You so Much for Singing in our Mass

Mass in Hachinohe

The heavy snow did not dampened the spirit of our kababayans to celebrate the mass together in hachinohe. The snow was so heavy I could not recognised the city. I  lost my way, and was moving around the area of the church until I recognise the convenience store. Thank God I safely arrived for the mass. We waited for some members of our choir and started our mass at 1:30 in the afternoon.


After the mass, we gave a chance for some members of our choir who is going back to give s short message because some of them had finished their contract with Tokyo Dress. There were 6 of them. They thank the group for the welcome they received while the were in Hachinohe. In return we also thank them for the services they offered in our masses here in Hachinohe. 

thank you so much

Introducing Japanese Culture

February Festival and Practices in Japan

http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia34/images/feature/09_01.jpg

February 3: 節分 (Setsubun, "Bean-Throwing Ceremony")

Literally the the "seasonal divide", spring setsubun is also called risshun (立春) and part of the Spring Festival (春祭 haru matsuri). Japanese perform a ritual called mamemaki (豆まき, "bean-throwing"), conducted at people's homes or in temples and shrines in order to expel evil spirits and disease by throwing beans outside their house and exclaiming: 鬼は外! 福は内! (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!), which translates as "Demons out, luck in!" The number of beans thrown (and subsequently eaten) usually corresponds to a person's age.

http://jasgp.org/sites/default/files/images/valentines%20exchange.jpg

February 14: バレンタインデー (Valentine's Day)

Introduced in Japan in 1936 and popularized in the 1950s, it is the day when Japanese women offer chocolate to men. Giri-choko (義理チョコ) is given by female employees to their male counterparts (giri 義理 meaning "obligation"), while tomo-choko (友チョコ) and honmei-choko (本命チョコ) is reserved for friends, respectively boyfriends and husbands. Men have to reciprocate twice or thrice (三倍返し, sanbai gaeshi, literally, "triple the return") what they have received one moth later, on White Day.


http://www.jref.com/japan/culture/japanese_holidays.shtml



MARCH 5 is Ash Wednesday

EVENTS

Here are the poster for our upcoming Charity Concert here in Ofunato. We are inviting everyone to come and support this concert. This is for the benefit of Yolanda victims. For further information please call the Sendai Support Center for Foreigners - 090-5666-1747

This is also a commemoration event of 3.11 disaster. 

3.11 Anniversary Memorial Masses

Ofunato Church with Bishop Suwa of Takamatsu Diocese @13:30

Kamaishi Church with Bishop Otsuka of Kyoto Diocese @13:30

Miyako Church with Bishop Hiraga of Sendai Diocese

Please join in the commemoration masses and prayers in your areas or offer you own personal prayers for the victims of the disaster. Pause whatever you are doing at 14:46 on March 11. Believe me you prayers and thoughts will support and continue to uplift the spirit of the people here in Tohoku.