Yokoso Japan

This morning I had the privilege to introduce myself to one of the daily church-goers here at St. Joseph Church in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. That’s right I am writing this note from Japan! It’s been three days since I got to Tsurumi, the headquarters of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Japan. It’s been three days as well that I’ve been seeing Hotaka san faithfully attending morning mass at our “big chapel” here in Tsurumi (yes, we also have a “little chapel” for use solely by the friars for midday and evening and night prayers). Actually, she’s one of only a handful of daily morning mass church-goers here which reminded me yesterday that, indeed, where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, He is there in their midst. Well, I must confess that I actually started to count the number of daily church-goers. To begin with, there are four friars - Fr. Fidelis Fujihara, SA, Pastor of the parish, Fr. Pacificus von Essen, SA, a retired member of the Community but nonetheless is still actively helping out in saying mass at the weekday masses at the parish, Bro. Ignatius Kobayashi, SA, a member of the local community, and me, a visiting friar – and about 5-6 lay people. It makes me think now of how at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Richmond, BC (where I was assigned as a Deacon and up until last Sunday, April 19, was there helping out after my presbyteral ordination) the mass is well-attended and Sunday attendees are “wall-to-wall” in the words of the Associate Pastor! So from last Tuesday to today’s morning mass, attendees ranged from six to ten people, and this includes at least three or four friars. You get the picture.As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I was asked to come and “investigate” the possibility of being stationed here in the very near future because, as I was told, the Region needs some help. After yesterday’s conversation with two friars, I had a bigger and wider sense and understanding of a need, indeed, for a fresh “body” for the Friars’ mission and presence here to continue. With God’s grace and mercy, slowly I am beginning to understand the invitation to serve God’s people here. Barring no complications, I might see myself serving here for a few good number of years. Yokoso Japan!