September 2015

For Our Reflection

The Parable of Ten Bridesmaid [Mt. 25:1-13]

It is very difficult for us to understand this parable. Why are ten virgins waiting outside for the bridegroom? Why do they need lamps? Even scholars are not sure. What is definite is that these virgins are not the brides. Our best guess is that they are more like bridesmaid; they are waiting to process the bridegroom into his feast.

Let us forget about the foolish virgins and consider two details about the wise virgins. First, they have flasks of oil with them. What do these flasks signify? We do not know. They are something extra, something beyond, but what they are is uncertain. After all the virgins fell asleep, they need what is in the flask. Perhaps it is prayer or study. The wise virgins had a stronger foundation of prayer and studying the Scriptures and the Catechism, so they were able to be ready when the time came.

The oil in the flask could also be a symbol of the Holy Spirit; oil often is used to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Then we would say that the light of faith burned out in those who were relying only on themselves for faith. The Holy Spirit is the only fuel for our faith that is sure to be there when we need it.

The second detail could be called holy selfishness. The wise virgins do not let the foolish virgins share what is in the flasks. There are many people in this world who would like to keep you from doing what you need to do to be ready for Christ, people who will complain that you are praying or studying or going to Mass when they need you for their own purposes. Do not let them prevent you from being prepared. Be selfish!

We do have human relationships which demand our time and effort. Failing to live up to them is not a holy thing. A mother who did not care for her children but spent all her time in prayer as if she were a nun would not be practicing true devotion. Nevertheless, our relationship with God comes first. We must not allow the world or anyone in the world to demand that we stop praying and studying, to demand that we give up whatever is in the flask that allows us to keep the fire burning. We must be selfish because we will not be able to do any good if we do not first seek God.

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Hirosaki Mass

We celebrated our monthly mass in Hirosaki Church last August 12. We also planned to have the farewell party of Fr. Tou Paul who will be returning to Kenya at the end of the month. During our gathering Ate Pat came all the way from Saitama to be with us for our celebration. 

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First Communion of Shiori Tanabe 

Last August 15 during the Feast of the Ascension, we celebrated together with the family of Tanabe Shiori san her first communion. After some months of preparation, she was able to have her first communion. She thanked Sister Kitagawa who helped her prepare for this great blessing. 

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Sayonara Party 

I was invited to the sayonara part of the Tokyo dress last August 15. The Tokyo dress is a company here in Hachinohe. The workers were mostly from Cebu and they had been very active in the church acting as choir to our English mass and during the international mass here during the fourth sunday of the month. By October 6 Tokyo dress workers and of course our choir members in the church will be returning to the Philippines. I am very happy to be invited during the sayonara party. To all of you, we would like to thank you for your unfailing support for the activities in our church. We will always pray for all of you.

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Blessing of the Chapel in Ofunato

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Mass in Ichinoseki

Fr. Edgar celebrated the mass in Ichinoseki this month. There seems to be a growing number of mass attendees in Ichinoseki. We hope we will continue to celebrate and gather together every 3rd Saturday of the month in Ichinoseki Church.

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Baptism in Hachinohe Church

We had a baptism of Rika Takemoto chan last August 23 here in Hachinohe church. Rika's parents are from Ninohe but they ask me if they could do the baptism here. After consulting with Fr. Sato, I ask them to prepare Rika for baptism. Rick's grandparents were also here and joined her during her baptism.

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Bishop Otsuka shares about Takayama Ukon in Kuji Church

Last August 24, Bishop Otsuka of Kyoto came to Kuji Church to celebrate mass and to give a sharing about Takayama Ukon. This is the second time or the third time that the bishop made the visit to the church after the March 11, 2011 disaster. This time through his request he celebrated the mass and met the christians of the church. There several Filipinos who attended the mass and the talk which the bishop really appreciates because Takayama Ukon who will be beatified next year here in Osaka had a connection with the Philippines. And the presence of the Filipinos during the mass and the talk was really a meaningful moment for the bishop and the Kuji community.  

with the Filipinos in Kuji

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The Event - After the Rosary

This the common event here in Ofunato after the block rosary. We had been doing our rosary for four years and we are always blessed with the number of children who are present during our Rosary. And of course the walang sawang kainan. Di yan mawawala. More power to everybody and more blessings.

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Meanwhile in Kessenuma

The Filipino group had conducted a cooking class on Philippine food. They shared their knowledge about how to cook our Lumpia prito, lumpia saging and sago at gulaman.

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How to be Happier

August 2015

For Our Reflection

The Parable of the Sower

In the parable there is a clear crescendo of soil conditions for growth. So in the best soil scenario we would spontaneously expect that the yield would be always 100-fold. Yet Jesus tells us that in some cases it was indeed 100-fold, but in some other cases it was only 60-fold or even 30-fold. What can the Lord be telling us through this? I believe the Lord is teaching us a twofold lesson. First lesson: we cannot judge other people’s yield. It may well be that others are offering optimum soil for growth, but they have been given low-yield grain. We just have no way of knowing what the Lord has planted in their hearts and any expectation on our side lacks a basis for assessment. This means that we simply cannot judge what may appear to us to be low yield. Second lesson: self-perfectionism does not belong in the spiritual life for the parallel reason that we do not know what type of seed the Lord has planted in our own hearts. Even if we prepare optimum soil conditions, we do not have to yield the theoretically possible maximum, nor do we have to make it to the Guinness book of records. We do have to strive to yield the best we can do. Not necessarily the absolute best, but only our best. Our yield potential is not even well known to us. We just have to be good, faithful stewards of the seed planted in us.

Fr. Edgar Celebrates Mass in Iwaki Fukushima

Fr. Edgar celebrated the mass in Fukushima Taira Iwaki Catholic Church last July 19.  After some months of adjusting to his schedule, at last he was able to visit Taira, Iwaki and celebrated the mass with the Filipinos in the community. The parish priest had been asking us to do the regular mass there, we hope to do it with proper coordination and scheduling.




Fr. Garry celebrated the mass in Hirosaki

After some weeks rescheduling our monthly mass in Hirosaki, we were able to agree on a date in which Fr. Garry will be available to celebrate the mass with us here in Hirosaki. During our monthly mass, we gather together offer the rosary to our Lady and pray together our Wednesday Novena.  After our Mass, we decided to go together to Goshogawa and just have some simple sharing.  It was a good way to be together.

CTIC Celebrates is 25th Year

I am able to join the celebration of CTIC 25th year celebration in Meguro last July 20. I decided to join the celebration since I also have a meeting with AOS core group the day after the celebration in Yokohama.  The mass was officiated by Bishop Okada of Tokyo Archdiocese and there were around 30 concelebrants who joined the bishop.
After the mass a simple party is held at the church hall. Its good to meet some good friends and people whom I worked with from the diocese of Hiroshima and people who helped us here in the diocese after the disaster of 2011.

with Fr. Edwin of CTIC 

with some friends from Tokyo

Heroes for Better Award

Heroes For Better is a Global Tribute and Advocacy that aims to celebrate and recognize the efforts of Filipinos around the world who, in their own little way, have given their time, personal resources, skill or expertise to make a positive change. It also aims to showcase them as role models to inspire others to likewise take positive action to help create a better world. This is an advocacy about ordinary Filipinos who were able to achieve extraordinary things through their small acts of giving and heroism.

We are proud to have Adel as one of the chosen heroes. Congratulations Adel and keep up the good work.

Nothing’s new when we thank the heavens for what’s good and beautiful.

But when unfortunate things happen, do we bravely realize the good that happens as an aftermath of what’s bad and sad?

Adelaida Saito went to Japan in 1986 in hopes of giving her family in the Philippines a better life. Overcome with homesickness and longing for her loved ones, the first few years proved to be difficult until she met her husband. Together, they built a family of their own and created a simple yet peaceful life.

But on one fateful day in March 2011, their quiet life in Japan suddenly became swamped by fear. She was busy at work when the 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck. It triggered a major tsunami that swept the Miyagi Prefecture and destroyed everything in its path.  It was a nightmare she never thought would end, coming face to face with fellow residents severely hit by one of the country’s most devastating calamities in modern times.

As a migrant Filipino worker living in Japan for almost three decades, she never knew what it meant to be homeless.  Helpless.  Hopeless.   The only place to go to was the church. “It became our home… it became our comforter ….a dwelling place for the Filipino community in our area.  We were all surprised by the number of kababayans living in our place. We found a family.”

Through the untiring efforts of the parish priest and the Japanese Catholic communities, broken pieces of lives were slowly regained.  And with global help and assistance coming in, Adelaida and her fellow victims survived. “The situation became an eye-opener for me. I realized that I am my brother’s keeper.”

With her experience as church leader, she sought permission from the parish priest to contact other tsunami victims from different areas and gather them inside the Ishinomaki Catholic Church. The gathering opened the floodgates of mutual empathy and stirred heartfelt goodness among the kababayans.  And with much determination, Adelaida decided to spearhead an organization named “Ishinomaki Hawak-Kamay” which initially aimed at helping Filipino tsunami victims in Japan.

Although small in numbers, the goodness spawned by the group began to create a major impact stronger than the earthquake that started it.  “As of today, Ishinomaki Hawak-Kamay is not only limited in helping Filipinos in Japan. We created numerous activities and events to help people in other parts of the world experiencing emotional, social and economic devastation made by natural calamities.” 

Now a group of 20 passionate individuals eager to lend a helping hand, Ishinomaki Hawak-Kamay has already helped countless of typhoon and earthquake victims simply by selling goods and organizing relief drives. The Filipino talent in dance and music was also put to good use, as the group mounted traditional dance festivals to raise funds that the group uses to provide financial aid and relief goods to victims of natural disasters.

In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, hit Southeast Asia. The typhoon pummeled a large part of the Visayan region, leaving millions of families devastated and thousands of lives lost. Adelaida and her group were quick to send their love and support to their kababayans through their partnership with an non-governmental organization (NGO).

With the help of international organizations, the group has extended the reach of relief support to other parts of the world. During the aftermath of the deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake that shook Nepal in April this year, Ishinomaki Hawak-Kamay was among the organizations to immediately send help.

But apart from giving financial and material aid, Ishinomaki Hawak-Kamay also provides emotional and spiritual refuge to victims. “We believe that aside from material support, spiritual support is most important during the time of sorrow, during the time of mourning and during the time we feel alone and hopeless.” 

Today, Adelaida and her friends continue to “hold hands” that extend to touch the lives of others. The earthquake may have taken everything away from them.  But the impact it left, turned out to be real goodness that now truly matters.  A more meaningful life lived for others.

How about you?  Are you brave enough to be thankful for the earthquakes in your life?

Adelaida is just one of the millions of Filipino migrants around the world.
Each one of them is a hero….
striving to make life better for their families, their communities, their country.

click here for the original article.

http://www.wuheroesforbetter.org/the-heroes/adelaida-saito/

July 2015

FOR OUR REFLECTION

SOMETIMES A FEW MOMENTS of regulated breathing are enough to dispel an agitated state. Other times, we need to widen the gap between arousal and response—the emotion is too intense, the impulse to react goes too deep, the situation’s complexities cloud our vision.

At such times, we need more space in order to emerge from the rapids of reactivity and solidify our footing on the banks of grounded perspective. Catching our breath means taking a break. We need a time-out. We need to let settle the turmoil within. We can do this in multiple ways.

Change your location. Go for a walk, spend time in nature, find a quiet place to sit, take a drive, or take refuge in a sacred site—a chapel, mosque, temple, or monastery.

Engage your body. Do yoga, get a massage, take a bath, go for a run, ride a bike, throw clay, make music, dance, or draw.

Connect with a trusted person. Visit your therapist or spiritual director, talk with a friend, confide in a loved one, consult a mentor or spiritual teacher, seek counsel from a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam.

Perform a spiritual practice. Pray, meditate, journal, repeat a mantra, walk a labyrinth, go on a retreat.

taken from Daily upper Room 

http://daily.upperroom.org/?p=5318




Hirosaki Filipino Community

June 16, we gathered together in Hiroaki Community for our monthly Novena and english mass. There were around 20 of us who are gathering to pray together and have a simple sharing.  We were lucky because most of us had our yasumi from our company so we were able to gather together for the mass.

Ichinoseki Mass

Fr. Edgar Celebrated the monthly mass at Ichinoseki Church. Since it was also a Fathers Day mass, the group had offered this mass for all the Fathers.

First Communion in Ofunato Church

Five children had their first communion in Ofunato church last June 7.  Fr. Shiota also joined us in our celebration.

Welcome Fr. Haru

Before he left for the Philippines to assume the work as formator, Fr. Haru took time to visit the Ofunato community and be with them for a week. It was a wonderful reunion after a year if being out of the country. Fr. Haru celebrated two Sunday masses with the community and even visit Hachinohe.  We pray for you always Fr. Haru and we hope to visit you in the Philippines.

during the mass in Ofunato Church

Terada Sensei post "The prodigal son and his father"

April 2015

For Our Reflection


The Lord is Risen!!!!

Despite the passage of time, the words of Peter’s speech as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:35-43) vibrate with all the joy, the power and the conviction that must have impressed those first hearers.  The message is clear:  the Jesus whom we witnessed preaching and healing, whom we saw crucified, we have seen now – alive!  

That which allows us, these many centuries later, to hear these words again has less to do with a careful recording of mere words, than with the fact that Christians in every generation down to our own have also been witnesses.  Yes, they are the ones who “believe without seeing,” but they do not simply repeat the words of others. 

Pope Francis, in writing about the call to a New Evangelization, recalled these words of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI:  “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”  

This life-changing encounter with the risen Lord ought not to be thought of as the privilege of the few, but an invitation to all.  But can I dare to hope for such an encounter?  How can this be my experience and not simply that of others?  

On this Easter Day, let us be bold in asking for this renewed encounter.  Let us desire to join with the many who have not seen, but have believed, because they have encountered him.  Let us be witnesses!

News From Ofunato

Thank you so much Fukahori San

Which is more hurting , the one who's leaving or the one who was being left? This was the question I used to ask myself everytime there's someone who's leaving Ofunato. Specially, the staff who shared their time with us since after tsunami up to the time we had recovered. After the three priests left ( Fr.Morita, Fr.Haru and Fr.Garry) then Fukahori's turn. Fukahori shared his four years with us . He started as volunteer and was asked if he wanted to be a staff at Caritas base in Ofunato.. For four years, he was there for us specially ( for Erva and me ) We had our farewell party .. 22 members of shinja san and 6 members from Pagasa attended the party for him. I hope he can find time to visit us again someday.お疲れ様でした。

by Marife Sugawara

Graduation and More

Last March most of us had celebrated the graduation of our children. We have seen how grow who end and will start a new journey in college, high school and even to be in the company for work.

I think graduation is about reflection, we reflect on what's next for our children. Lets support them and continue to be with them.

To all the parents and the graduates for this year congratulations, may you always remember that your new journey always bring freshness and hope not only to yourself but to all those who support and guide you.

March 2015

For Our Reflection

Lentent Preparation

If you’ve been on a long trip you’ve seen the signs that point out when the next rest area is coming. Today, Shrove Tuesday, is the like the last “rest” area Catholics will have before the biggest, best rest area to come: Easter. The hard part is getting through those 40 long days.

I’m not good on long trips. I change the music constantly, I feel the need to stop at every rest area along the way to get out and stretch my legs. I’m the same way in life. For the most part, I change my interests constantly—my hobbies, my favorite movies and books, and especially how I pray. Lent, with its continuity is difficult to say the least. At the same time, the challenge is appealing because I feel that it helps me grow spiritually, and that, for me, is what life is all about.

So what am I doing for Lent this year? I have no idea. Yet. I’m hoping that something will strike me tonight as I indulge in the last stop before the long and winding road of sacrifice and contemplation begins.

One of the pictures I like to keep in my mind during Lent is of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James and John. While he prays, his three closest friends fall asleep. In Matthew 26:40, it says, “And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?” It’s an odd picture to have during Lent, perhaps, of failure of the three disciples—but it is one of my favorite scenes in the Bible. It shows Jesus at one of his most human points, I think, scared, maybe a little angry or upset with his friends; but ready to accept what is coming ahead (His Crucifixion).

But I relate to the disciples. The go to pray with Jesus fully prepared to stay awake and be with him, but they fail. Jesus wakes them up and, in my mind pretty much says, “You couldn’t even do one thing and I’m going to die for you!?!” The disciples stay with Jesus, and especially fail another two times.

Why does this image mean so much to me? I think because it shows that we, like the disciples, are going to fail many times, maybe more so during these 40 days of Lent, but we can keep trying.

Lenten Recollection of Fr. Jhun Peralta, SVD in Ofunato

It was last february 21 when we had our Recollection ,Tagalog version. At first I had a little doubt when we planned this activity. Coz I'm not pretty sure if the members will participate since everyone were very busy. After this our Tagalog mass came after. We have 18 attendees including Sylvie Muller from Sendai who used to attend our activities here in Ofunato. Our invited priest, all the way from Akita Ken,Fr,Jun celebrated the mass that day.Thankful that I can say, that we had a successful recollection day.

By Marife Sugawara

Fr. Jhun Peralta, SVD, our recollection master

Mass in Ichinoseki with Fr. Edgar

2015 2/21 picture picture after mass with Father Edgar Natuwa nman c father sa dami ng umatend ng mass Tnx po sa nag share ng post ko bout sa Tagalog mass natin madami dn na new face Tnx po sa lahat lahat ng umatend ng mass sa mga friend na masipag Magyaya ng mga kaibigan para umatend ng mass Kitakita po ulit tayo 3/15 Saturday 2 pm po sa 3/1 Sunday 9:00 am po c Father Edgar dn po ang mag mimisa stin International mass po tayo minasan ganbate kite kudasai Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

By Lolita Moniwa

Block Rosary in Takata

Sharing from Sylvie

Saturday February 7th I participated to the Rosary in Rikuzentakata. After a long time we finally scheduled a trip there to participate and meet our friends. I went with Marie (also a French girl) for the all Week-End. The Rosary was hold to Haydee’s place. 13 people attended the prayer. We all gathered in a room and prayed this beautiful call of Love to our Mother Mary, perfectly leaded by Haydee. Once finished we “kampai” to friendship and had a Gorgeous Filipino Meal prepared with care and love by Haydee herself. We eat and laugh soo much. I really filled at ease and welcomed. This group is beautiful, we fill strength, link, friendship and love between them. And I filled as in my family. Hope to join soon again. 

LOVE MULLER Sylvie