Japan Catholic News
April 2007
CATECHUMEN SERIES
8.FORMER GANGSTER FINDS JESUS TO BE HIS REAL OYABUN
Catholic Weekly, April 15, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
"Jesus is my real oyabun (word used by Japanese gangsters to describe
their boss). Jesus is the one who teaches true courage and right. Up
to now I lived comfortably, but from now on I wish to help others and
see them smile!" said Masayuki Kijima, describing his relationship
with Christ.
Kijima, 33, was born in Obihiro city in Hokkaido. As an only child
his upbringing was strict. He was forbidden to do many things by his
parents and was inclined to be locked inside his own shell. During
his middle school years he admired the bosozoku (motorbike-riding young
people) and was a member of one of their gangs until 16 years of age.
"Up to age 28, I worked for a (gang-related) loan company charging
high-interest, and participated in other anti-social activities," he
said. "Even
when I knew something was wrong, I wished to make money, live easily,
enjoy myself --I thought that was the way to live."
Then there came a turning point in his life. Five years ago, when he
was living in Sapporo, an acquaintance told him that an apartment was
empty and asked him would he live there. When Kijima moved into the
apartment, there were between 20 and 30 pictures of the crucified Jesus,
angels and other Christian pictures belonging to the former resident
attached to the wall. Kijima felt upset by these pictures and put them
away. For some reason, he said, he feared that something was going
to happen.
Then one night, when he turned on the television, the station was showing
a program about Jesus Christ.
"Although I had lived with the determination to do whatever was necessary
to protect my oyabun, in reality I had betrayed people, friendships
had broken because of money, and I did not trust other people. But
when I heard on that program that Jesus not only talked about it, but
actually sacrificed his life for other people, I became interested
in him."
Kijima, who always acted directly, decided then to go to church. He
immediately visited Obihiro Catholic Church, which he used to frequently
pass by. In the darkness of the church he saw a small red light before
the tabernacle. When he joined his hands and closed his eyes a strange
feeling came over him.
"I remember a gentle white light covering me, and felt at ease. I felt
that I must go to the church every day, and from then on, even during
work in the daytime, if I saw I church I would go inside. I like a
church with a cross in it, and I was naturally drawn to Catholic churches."
Kijima wished to learn about Jesus and searched for films about him
in video shops, looking at the same film many times. Jesus' attitude
and words to the crowd before the woman taken in adultery, "let
him who is without sin among you cast the first stone," made a
special impression on him.
"I applied that scene to myself. When I thought that even I too was
forgiven by Jesus, tears came into my eyes."
One day, when he visited the Yamahana Church in Sapporo, which he was
able to see from the yakuza (gang) office window, he became interested
in the statue of Jesus at the rear of the church, and asked a man there
about it.
"I would like to put it into my room, so I wonder could I have that
bronze statue?" The man who asked him politely "who are you" was
Fr. Aymeric De Salvert, 39, of the Paris Foreign Mission Society, at
present pastor of Kitanijurokujo church.
This was the start of their friendship. Every time Kijimai went to
the church he met Fr. De Salvert, who lent him books about Christianity
and invited him to chat over a cup of tea. The priest became a good
friend.
One summer day about five years ago, when they went together to a public
baths Fr. De Salvert saw Kijima's tattoos, he said nonchalantly, "They're
nice."
That summer Kijima first began to think about receiving baptism, and
in the autumn he joined a catechumen class and began to study.
Then in the summer four years ago Kijima's car, which he had parked
in front of the church, was stolen. When the car was eventually found
there were drugs inside, and Kijima was arrested. During his eight
months in prison he read the Bible and prayed the rosary every day.
Fr. De Salvert visited him in prison many times, and was a witness
at his trial. Fr. De Salvert, who had not known the nature of Kijima's
work, said to him, "How did this happen? It must not happen again!"
While in prison Kijima decided that from then on he would "Do
proper work, and live an ordinary life."
For the past three years he has worked as the manager of a restaurant
in Tokyo. He is very busy cooking, welcoming guests and doing other
work there. There have been times when he felt discouraged, but at
these times he felt God looking at him and thought, "I do not
want to make the same mistake again. I do not want to cause any more
trouble to my parents, who have always stood by me," and determined
to continue with his new life.
The reason he wished to be baptized was to be "reconciled with
God, and grow closer to Jesus."
"What I want now is to see people smiling. I am happiest when I see
people smiling because Jesus has helped them through me. I have been
lost up to this, and have just found my original place. The real test
is only now beginning. I have reached this point through the help of
Fr. Aymeric, Mr. Shiratori of the Yamahana Church, Mr. Ito whom I met
at the Otaru Church and Fr. Haresaku who performed my baptismal ceremony."
"Jesus, who sacrificed his life for the whole human race, is the real
man. He is the real oyabun. I am placing everything in his hands," said
Kijima, talking about his dreams.
He said he even thinks about maybe giving up all and entering a monastery.
Masayuki Kijima was baptized during the Easter Vigil at Koenji Church
in Tokyo April 7.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
7.EXAMPLE OF WIFE AND KINDNESS OF CATHOLICS DRAW WIDOWER TO CHURCH
Catholic Weekly, April 8, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
"I want to look after our children in such a way that my wife will not
be ashamed of me. I want to give them whatever help and support that
I can to see that they are prepared to be live as valuable members
of society. Otherwise, I would feel that I had let her down."
Izumi Suzuki, 56, lost his wife to cancer two years ago when she was
only 49. His daughter, who has since then graduated, was studying at
Hakodate University at the time. Now he lives with his son, a university
student. Suzuki has spent his whole adult life working as an engineer,
but now he also has the tasks of taking care of the household and raising
the children.
"I come home earlier now than I used to. I get home at 6:00 and then
do household chores. Before, I left things like supervising the children's
education and their path to employment in the hands of my wife, but
now I have many more chances to talk with my children and can give
them advice about their future plans. My life has undergone a complete
change since the death of my wife."
The couple was married 23 years ago. Since the parents of the bride
were Catholic, the couple decided to have their wedding at a Catholic
church. They attended a marriage preparation course at Kita Ichijo
Church in Sapporo. Later they moved to Kita Hiroshima, where, only
five years after they married, his wife Sachiko was diagnosed with
breast cancer. Sachiko expressed a strong desire to receive baptism
before undergoing surgery and was baptized at th Kita Hiroshima Church.
Later both of her children were baptized.
Sachiko was very active and she loved getting involved with people.
During the 15 years she lived in Kita Hiroshima, even after surgery,
she threw herself wholeheartedly into all kinds of activities: starting
up an education program at church, running the church bazaar, supporting
a childcare program for Brazilians, serving as a substitute teacher
for teachers on maternity leave at a school for the handicapped, giving
assistance in raising children in the area, visiting the sick and so
on. She had a very outgoing personality and everyone was fond of her.
"Sachiko was a very kind person and always thoughtful of others," her
husband reminisced. "A senile woman in the neighborhood constantly
wanted to see Sachiko and so she would often come to visit our home.
In Hokkaido it is hard to get around without a car and so Sachiko would
often take the elderly priest to the hospital and back as well as often
driving other acquaintances here and there."
The members of the women's group at the church have countless memories
of Sachiko. Even while she was receiving treatment for her illness,
as soon as she would feel a bit better she would be worrying about
people. She would deliver meals prepared with organic food to the husband
of a friend who was not ambulatory. Or, when she saw something beautiful,
her natural healing power would start working and she would pick up
people in her car and take them out to "see the flowers." Even
when she was sick in bed at home, she would say to her friends, "I
can't serve tea, but I can listen while lying in bed, so use my house
for meetings." She loved people and she loved God.
At home, when the children told her that they would like to become
overseas volunteers, Sachiko, who always wanted to be able respond
to their hopes and desires, gave them her wholehearted backing and
support.
Thirteen years after her operation for breast cancer, the disease returned.
"She put all her energy into fighting her illness, so I never imagined
that she would lose her life to it," said Suzuki. "She didn't
want to worry me, so she avoided serious talk and always tried to appear
very cheerful. She was never out of sorts, but always peaceful – never
appearing like a person who was facing death. I felt that was because
of her faith."
She always had a rosary in her hand and a picture of the Blessed Mother
with her in bed, he added.
After Sachiko's death her children as well as the people in the parish
were worried about Suzuki. The children said they felt a sense of relief
when they saw how the people in the parish were making an effort to
spend time with their father, who was now alone.
Suzuki often attended Mass and the people began to sense that he was
seeking something. The pastor, Fr. Taiji Katsuya asked Izumi, "Wouldn't
you like to study the Bible?" His answer was, "No, I'm not
ready." But parishioners who hoped they were accurate in what
they sensed was in his heart paid him a visit at home on the month's
anniversary of Sachiko's death, bringing flowers.
Suzuki said that the concern shown by his wife's Catholic friends brought
him to learn about Christianity.
"Sachiko's Catholic friends were concerned about me and invited me to
study. They asked, 'Would you be interested in a Bible study group
for beginners?' I thought that since they had gone to the effort of
coming and inviting me that I would go and see what it was like. When
I went to the first session of the study group I was astonished to
find out that it was a program just for me."
After Sachiko's death, every time that Suzuki went to the church, people
would say to him how much his wife had been a help to them.
"As I listened to all the stories about how my wife had helped them,
I gradually grew closer to the people at the church and began to feel
at home with them."
Suzuki's son Hiroyuki, 21, described the change he saw taking place
in his father.
"My father used to be a very quiet person, rarely speaking. But, after
he started going to church, he began to carry on conversations with
people very easily. When I saw this change taking place, it helped
relieve my concerns about my father."
Commenting on his baptism, Suzuki said, "I used to think that
religion was just an escape for weak people. I have come to realize
I was mistaken. I feel now that I want to learn more and more about
the way people should live. I really feel that I will meet my wife
once again and I always feel that she is watching over me. After I
receive baptism, I feel that I will be ready to die like my wife at
any time -- this is the depth of my belief."
Izumi Suzuki was baptized at the Kita Hiroshima Church at the April
7 Easter Vigil.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
6.OSAKA WOMAN PREPARES FOR DEATH WITH BAPTISM
Catholic Weekly, April 1, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
This year, a woman in Osaka sought baptism as a way to prepare for
death.
"I do not know when I shall die but I do know that day is coming," said
Midori Takami, 50. "I want to be baptized because I want to die
happy. If I accept God's will and have a happy death, my family will
have no regrets and continue to live happily themselves."
Until now, Takami has been busy rearing her three children. Her oldest
son is already in the work force; the second is in college and her
daughter has just entered high school. Hitherto untroubled by illness,
she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.
"When a medical checkup last year showed that I was in stage one, I
took the doctor's advice and underwent a partial mastectomy. Tests
in November, however, revealed that the disease had spread to the lymph
glands and that I was already in stage four. My blood ran cold. Overcome
with anger and sadness I kept asking myself, 'Why? Why?' I was unable
to return home right away."
Takami's daughter had graduated from a Catholic kindergarten, and she
herself had bought and read books on Christianity. She felt drawn to
the Catholic Church. Then in a book in a hospital waiting room she
found an article with the title, "Words from One Approaching Death." It
was a record of a Sacred Heart SisterKeiko Suzuki's experience of being
close to death. Sister had written, "I was enveloped in light.
I felt a great happiness." Takami said those words remained in
her memory.
Takami decided to go to the church at Kishiwada. As she walked back
and forth in front of the church working up courage to go in, her eye
fell on a notice advertising a new doctrine class. She made her decision
and pushed the buzzer. She was welcomed by Fr. Hiroaki Kawamura and
signed up for instruction.
She described what she was looking for.
"The despair that comes from knowing the disease will continue to spread,
and the fear of death made life a heavy burden. A cry for help filled
my heart. I just had to have some spiritual support. I must not give
up until my daughter can graduate from high school."
She found the priests who were giving the instructions, Xaverian Fathers
Severino Mastrotto and Silvano Da Roit bright, happy personalities
and zealous teachers. Reading the New Testament for the first time
she came across the words, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today"(Matt.6:34).
The words brought tears to her eyes.
"When I reached the stage where I took each day as it came, I found
peace. Christianity is the religion of the Resurrection, the religion
of life and new hope. As I continued to learn, I began to think positively.
There are many difficult sayings in the Gospel, 'Love your enemy,'
for instance, but it is also full of treasures. In the fall of last
year the desire to be baptized seemed to come naturally."
Takami does not look like a person with cancer, but whenever her medication
wears off she tires easily. She finds elderly people overtaking her
on the road or at the station.
"At 50 one does not plan on being a patient with a worsening cancer
condition. Now, however, every day that comes is something to be thankful
for. 'Today' is always an important day. With house chores too, it
is not a case of 'having to' prepare my daughter's lunch, but rather
'I am still able to make lunches!' And there is joy in watching my
girl grow. Last year I had pins and needles in my hands but I managed
to play a duet with her on the piano at a recital, and shout encouragement
to the students participating in field events at the school sports
festival. It was a busy year."
Lately Takami does not go so often to the cancer patients' meetings
where they exchange thoughts. She said that is not because she has
given up on the treatment, but because her outlook has changed.
"Instead of being unduly influenced by stories of foods and treatments
that promise a cure, I find that putting the most I possibly can into
life is more important, and in order to continue that way of life I
need the teaching of Christ."
When she thinks of the future, her husband and her children are a worry.
"After I am gone," she said, "surely God will protect them. Let us leave everything
in his hands." Then peace of mind returns.
There are times too when she feels bitterness toward her doctor
but she ends up deciding, "What's the use of raking over the
past?"
Takami's husband's family is Buddhist, so she has kept her baptism
a secret from them. Her husband understands her feelings, though.
He brings her back and forth to church and has promised to follow
her wishes when she dies.
"Maria Clara" is her choice as a baptismal name. "Clara"signifies
brightness and for her it means the light with which she hopes
to be surrounded as she goes to the next life.
"After baptism," she said with tears in her voice, "I
hope to be buoyed up by the thoughts that occupy me now."
Midori Takami was baptized during the Easter Vigil at Kishiwada
Church, April 7.
CARDINAL HAMAO LOOKS FORWARD TO BEATIFICATION OF NEW JAPANESE MARTYRS
UCA News, April 11, 2007
VATICAN CITY (UCAN) -- Japan's cardinal in Rome anticipates Pope Benedict
XVI will soon approve a decree for the beatification of 188 Japanese
martyrs, and he expects the ceremony will take place in Japan, probably
in November.
Cardinal Fumio Hamao, who headed the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral
Care of Migrants and Itinerants from 1998 to 2006 and still resides
in Rome, expressed this hope while speaking with UCA News on March
28 in Rome.
On Feb. 6, Cardinal Hamao, 77, played a central role at a decisive
meeting of 20 cardinals and archbishops at the Congregation for the
Causes of the Saints to discuss the cause (official process) for the
188 Japanese martyrs.
The cardinal, the only Asian in attendance, presented a compelling
case for their beatification. Reading from a prepared text, he explained
to his fellow prelates that "they were put to death not for political
reasons, not because they were political opponents, but by reason of
their Christian faith."
His discourse stressed that "though many were samurai and knew
how to fight, they nevertheless chose the path of non-violent resistance,
and that is also very significant for people today." The cardinal
said the Vatican officials responded favorably, and "voted unanimously
in favor of their beatification."
The Tokyo-born prelate is particularly pleased that the 188 martyrs
will soon be beatified because it marks "the first time the Japanese
bishops have promoted a cause." He noted that Religious orders,
not bishops, presented the several beatified and canonized martyrs
that the Church in Japan already has.
The expected beatification "is a direct consequence of John Paul
II's visit to Japan in 1981," he said. The cardinal, then bishop
of Yokohama, recalled that "when John Paul II heard about the
martyrs, he encouraged us to propose more causes for beatification,
so we started the process after his visit."
According to Cardinal Hamao, it is "highly significant" that
all 188 are Japanese and all but four are laypeople -- mostly women
but also many children. The other four are priests, he said, and a
Jesuit among them, Peter Kibe, heads the list. "Kibe was ordained
in Rome but chose to return to Japan, though he knew the persecution
had begun," he said. "He worked in the Nagasaki and Edo (now
Tokyo) areas for some years before he was arrested and killed."
In his view, the beatification will be important for all Japanese,
not just Catholics, because it highlights the fact that "the right
to believe in a religion is a fundamental human right." At the
time of the martyrs in the 17th century, "it was not so, and the
government persecuted people for this."
Today in Japan, he continued, "we have complete freedom to believe" and
this fundamental human right is guaranteed by law. "But this right
is not so much recognized by the people. They do not think it is a
fundamental human right because religion belongs to the family."
"Religion in Japan is seen as a question of family tradition, not personal
conviction," Cardinal Hamao further explained, "but to be
Christian is a matter of personal conviction, and this causes a certain
tension in society."
"In Japan, many people have two religions, Buddhism and Shintoism," he
also explained, and this leads to a certain "indifference" to
religion. Cardinal Hamao said he understands this quite well because "my
own family belonged to Shintoism ... at home, we had a small temple
of Shintoism and a small temple of Buddhism, the former for the national
feasts and the first day of the year, the latter for fasts (undertaken
on behalf of) the ancestors."
His mother was the first in his family to become Christian, he said.
As a young girl, she had attended a Catholic girls' school. Later on,
during the war, as a widow with four children, she went to the Catholic
Church to be instructed and was baptized in 1942. His sister was baptized
in 1945, while his brother and he were baptized in 1946, when the cardinal
was 16.
His brother went on to become chamberlain to Japan's emperor and "was
tutor of the emperor when he was crown prince." When the future
cardinal decided to enter the seminary, "my uncles, aunts, almost
everyone was against my mother," he said. "They did not understand
what being a priest means and thought I was becoming a bonze, to retire
from the world to live in a convent because I lost my girl or lover,
so they were against my mother. She suffered a lot."
However, people later accepted his decision, he said. When John Paul
II made him a cardinal, Cardinal Hamao added with a laugh, many people
thought "becoming a cardinal means to become rich, materialistic!"
The beatification could also help Japanese understand a little more
about Christianity, Cardinal Hamao added. "If it is given publicity
by the media in Japan, perhaps it could help people to think Christianity
is very good. Today, many people in Japan think Christianity is very
good, but also very strict."
For example, he pointed out, Catholics are expected to go to Church
every Sunday, but Buddhists only go to the temple once a year. Even
so, he said, "Christians are respected in Japan, and many people,
even if they do not believe in anything, want to send their children
to Catholic schools."
BISHOPS' TEACHING ON RELIGION AND STATE ISSUED IN SINGLE VOLUME
Catholic Weekly, March 25, 2007
At a 2006 meeting of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan
(CBCJ), a question arose about the impact upon Catholic children if
moves by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to revise Article Nine
of the Constitution were to succeed. The moves are seen by many as
a threat to the separation of state and religion guaranteed by that
article.
In response to those concerns, the Episcopal Commission for Social
Issues of the CBCJ issued a series of pamphlets on the separation of
government and religion, and these were published in one volume, Freedom
of Religion and Separation of Government and Religion, on March 26.
The single volume contains the Message from the Catholic Bishops'
Conference of Japan on Freedom of Religion and Separation of Government
and Religion adopted at the bishops' plenary meeting last February, and four related
commentaries: Bishop Daiji Tani's Examining the LDP's Draft of
a New Constitution; Bishop Osamu Misobe's National Policy
and Persecution;
Archbishop Takeo Okada's The Position of the Catholic Church Before,
During and After World War II; and Bishop Mitsuaki Takami's The
State and Religious Freedom.
In the foreword of the volume, Archbishop Takami, chairman of the commission,
explains the reasons for the publications. He points out that in the
LDP's draft of a new constitution the parameters of the principles
of the separation of religion and government in section three of Article
20 of the Constitution are limited to "religious education and
other religious activities beyond social ceremonies and customary activities."
According to the archbishop, if the Constitution is revised in this
manner, "there will be the danger that the freedom of religion
of individuals and organizations will not be guaranteed."
In an Afterword Bishop Goro Matsuura cautions, "it is conceivable
that children in schools and government workers could be forced to
carry out acts of worship."
In such circumstances, "what is left for the future will be determined
by how each one of us alive now takes responsibility and chooses a
course of action," wrote Bishop Matsuura. He expressed the hope
that this publication "highlights the fact that freedom of religion
is under threat, and may aid this generation to choose to take on our
responsibility as human beings, citizens and believers."
The single-volume collection is available from the CBCJ for ¥630.
STUDENTS AT PUBLIC SCHOOL CHEER CATHOLIC ROCK BAND
Catholic Weekly, March 18, 2007
 A March 9 graduation party at the Shimura Number Five Middle School
in Tokyo's Itabashi-ku featured a surprise visit from a musical group
from the Akabane Church.
The Yamaguchi Brothers Band (YBB) performed about 10 of their original
songs and pop songs for approximately 350 people in the audience.
The party was planned by the school as a send-off for the graduates
and was scheduled to end at about two o'clock. However, towards the
end, YBB suddenly entered the school gymnasium where the party was
being held. The students ran up to the stage as they cheered for the
unexpected guests.
The YBB performance was arranged secretly by teachers who wished to
surprise the graduating students as a last gift for them. It is unusual
that a Church group would participate in a public school activity.
It all started last October, when Tsuyako Takenaka, principal of Shimura
Number Five Middle School, led by her daughter, attended a charity
concert at Akabane Church. She was moved YBB's performance, and negotiated
with them for their participation in the graduation party.
Takenaka said, "I wanted to let my students hear it too. As a
teacher, I wanted to give a thrill to children who do not have much
chance to hear a live concert."
YBB is a rock band started by Conventual Franciscan Father Masatoshi
Yamaguchi, 35, and Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, 55, (not related) of the Akabane
Church, with group of professional and semi-professional musician from
within and outside of the Church. They aim to send a message of peace.
Fr.Yamaguchi was leading a retreat on the day of the school performance
and was not able to participate. However, nine band members introduced
songs composed by the priest and Mr.Yamaguchi. Mr.Yamaguchi shared
with the students his own experience of being a bad youth, and how
he reconciled with his father.
"Everyone is searching for safe place, a place of comfort. Through the
songs and my own life, I wanted to send a message to the children that
no one is alone, and we should encourage each other," he said.
After the party, an excited student commented, "We were surprised
because it happened suddenly. It will be a precious graduation memory." Another
said, "They were cool, awesome!" Yet another said, "There
were some familiar songs like 'Amazing Grace.' It was entertaining."
Takenaka, the principal, said, "We wanted the children to equip
themselves with the joy to live, the power to live, through something
fresh. But just having teachers tell them that would be quite difficult
without cooperation from outside . If we offer something by halfway
measures, students will be cool to it, but the YBB performance was
real, so the students, eyes twinkling, leaned on the stage to listen."
She continued, "The performance was wonderful. There were even
some students who sang with Mr.Yamaguchi with their arms around each
others' shoulders."
After the performance, four eighth-grade members of the school's Tea
Ceremony Club visited the YBB dressing room and said, "We enjoyed
it a lot, please come again when we graduate." Then they invited
the YBB members to their tea room.
On March 16th, graduation day, the school gave a CD with original songs
by YBB to the graduating students. YBB will perform a charity concert
at Isegaki Church in Gunma prefecture in May.
POLISH EX-PRESIDENT VISITS JAPAN, CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY AND DIALOGUE
Catholic Weekly, March 18, 2007
 In a March 8 talk at the Polish Embassy in Tokyo, former Polish president
Lech Walesa, 64, spoke of globalization's positive and negative possibilities.
His March 7-11 visit, during which he lectured twice in Tokyo, was
Walesa's fifth to Japan.
"This new generation is the generation of globalization," he told
an audience of approximately 130. "We can take it in good ways
and also in bad ways. Let us achieve peaceful globalization. We must
unify."
Concerning today's world situation he said, "Today, politicians
only think about how they appear on TV. We must do something about
it. We do not have leaders, only people who play to the gallery."
Commenting upon the United States, he continued, "The US is a
leader economically and military, but not morally. We need new global
security."
Walesa, who was an electrician, took over the chair of the Solidarity
trade union in Poland. In 1989, in Eastern Europe's first free election
since the start of communist rule, Solidarity won an overwhelming victory,
and formed the first non-communist government within the socialist
realm. From 1990, Walesa was president of Poland for 5 years. Since
his retirement, Walesa has supervised the Walesa Research Institute
and lectured in many countries.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
5. A KIND SISTER DISPELS PREJUDICES ABOUT CATHOLICS
Catholic Weekly, March 25, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
Junko Nakamura, 45, separated from her husband when she was 26. After
that she cared for her child while also working and managing their
home in Aira, Kagoshima prefecture.
Her mother died 15 years ago, and since then she has looked after her
father, who for the past five years has been hospitalized in a coma.
Since her elder brother and relatives live in another prefecture, Junko
is alone in caring for those depending on her.
Junko said that anxiety about the future began about two years ago.
"This spring my son graduates from university, and he has found work
in another prefecture," she said. "A goal has been reached,
and yet I have become impatient about the future. Am I just going to
become older, and what am I going to do?"
Junko worked writing the construction diagrams for elevated bridges
with CAD (computer aided design) software, and she also was a volunteer
caring for abandoned animals.
"There were three Catholics among the volunteers, and I felt that all
three of them were relaxed and easygoing. I began to wonder where they
acquired this calm manner."
Then in a bookshop she discovered Concluding Prayer, a book by Hatsume
Sato of the Hirosaki Church in Aomori prefecture. Sato tries to bring
healing to peoples' hearts through her cooking at her home in Hirosaki
and in a cabin at the foot of Mt. Iwaki. She writes about faith in
her books, and a film has also been made of her work.
"What impressed me most was where she wrote that 'when you give to
someone what is most precious to yourself, God replaces it with something
greater.
A person cannot live all alone. They can live if they are with someone
else. This other person is the God who dwells within each one.' Thinking
about who this 'God' resulted in my starting to go to church."
Until then, Junko thought that "people who depend on God and faith
were weak. There is no God!" But then she "wished to know
the God that Hatsume Sato knows," and looked up the location of
a church on the Internet. There she learned that Christianity is composed
of Catholic and Protestant churches.
As she thought that "Catholics are strict," she first went
to a Protestant church. That was last year. She attended a bible study
group for two months, but did not continue. Then she visited St. Francis
Xavier church in Kagoshima, where Fr. Haruo Mishima is pastor. Her
first meeting with Sister Ritsuko Mizobe of the Josephite Infant Jesus
Sisters made a special impression on Junko.
"She was very warm, quite different from the stern image that I had
of sisters. She spoke to me very politely at our first meeting. What
impressed me was her telling me that 'in the Catholic Church there
is nothing that is forced on people.' This dispelled my prejudices
and preconceptions, and from that moment I wished to be instructed
by that sister."
Junko started attending one-on-one instruction classes last November,
and the contents are tailored to suit her. She finds the classes "very
enjoyable." It takes half a day to travel to the church, but it
is the highlight of her week. She tries to organize her work as much
as possible around this. She finds the New Testament interesting, and
is happy to be able to talk to people at the church who have values
different from what she has known up to now.
Recently, she said, people have been saying to her, "Your appearance
has changed. You look very happy!"
"While up to this I was always saying that I worried about my son,
I was probably more concerned about myself," she reflected. While
she wanted to find stable work, she frequently argued with her son
about his future. Now however, she respects his feelings, and wishes
to look after him as he makes his own way.
When she thinks about growing old, there are still times when she worries,
but as she prays the fears naturally dissipate, and her feelings settle. "I
accept whatever happens. God will look after me," she said. She
is encouraged when she remembers that in the church there are people
who, although not family or related, pray for and help each other.
"The reason I wish to receive baptism is to repent of the evil things
that I have done in my life, and ask God to forgive me. If I had become
a Christian sooner, I would have related differently to my parents
and reared my child differently. But the course of my life up to this
was necessary to lead me to baptism. I wish to receive baptism, be
born again as a child of God, and spend the rest of my life this way."
Junko said that she wishes to take part actively in various church
activities, and try to be of use to people in some little way. She
will be baptized during the Easter Vigil ceremonies April 7 at St.
Francis Xavier church.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
4. OVERCOMING THE SADNESS OF LOSING ONE'S HUSBAND
Catholic Weekly, March 18, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
"When I am reunited with my husband in heaven, I want to tell him:
'I've missed you so much.' Even now I miss my husband so much that
when I
talk about him tears come to my eyes," said Eiko Hiraoka, 78.
Eiko, who lives in Matsuyama, Ehime prefecture, met her husband Hiromu
when she was 20 years old. Both of them lived in the same neighborhood
and both had lost their mothers when they were very young. Because
of their similar experiences growing up they were able be understanding
and sensitive with each other. In Hiromu's case his father remarried
soon after his mother's death and Eiko would often listen and support
Hiromu as he spoke to her of all his worries and concerns about his
family.
"My husband's step-mother was a stern person so I think he always looked
to faith as a refuge from the troubles in his family. Even when invited
to go dancing by the youth group, he would often answer, 'I want to
go to church.'"
Hiromu's grandparents were Protestant Christians. Through their influence
he often went with them to church and studied the Bible as a child.
His bookshelf contained piles of books about Buddhism and the Bible.
Looking back at her married life with Hiromu, whose job was head of
the office at the local public high school, Eiko says, "It was
a very ordinary life, but it was a happy and satisfying life. Hiromu
was honest, courageous and trustworthy. My sister, my son, everyone
said, 'He was kind person and very thoughtful of others.'"
"In winter I used to wash the dishes in cold water to save money, but
my husband would always say to me, 'Use hot water. Use hot water.'
Even in small things he showed concern for me. When our grandchild
was born, we went to visit our daughter-in-law at her family home in
Suo, Yamaguchi prefecture. My husband said to me, 'I've always wanted
to show you around,' and he took me all over the area showing me the
sights. Only afterwards did I hear that my husband's foot was very
sore at that time. He wanted to give me a good time and he never said
a word about his pain. He was really a very thoughtful person."
Looking back at that period, Eiko said, "In 2005, the year that
marked our 50th wedding anniversary, my husband said, 'Let's have a
golden wedding celebration.' It was just shortly after that that my
husband suddenly died. He was diagnosed with cancer and one month later
he passed away. It was too sudden for me and I could not accept it.
For a year I was so sad that I did nothing but cry. Even when I looked
at his picture, I felt as if he was right there and was about to say
something to me and I began to cry."
Eiko said that when Hiromu was in the hospital he spoke of a dream
he had.
"'Yesterday I had a dream,' he said. 'I saw a woman extending her hand
to me. She looked very kind. It was an inviting hand.'"
Hiromu's sister, Mutsumi Hiraoka, who works in the office at the Matsuyama
Church, told her brother, who had been suffering a lot of pain from
terminal cancer, "It was probably your mother's hand. She's saying,
'You've suffered enough. It's okay to take leave of the pain.'"
Eiko explained, "Mutsumi is a devout Catholic and so she spoke
to my husband about God. With his sister's encouragement, Hiromu decided
to receive baptism. The priest came to the hospital room and, with
our son also present, baptized Hiromu. When the priest asked, 'Do you
believe in God?' my husband answered very strongly, 'Yes, I believe.'
He must have realized he had only a short time left. That's why he
sought God so deeply from his heart."
One week later, Hiromu died.
For a year the cloud never lifted from Eiko's heart. Her friends invited
her to karaoke to take her mind off her sorrow, but it didn't help.
Mutsumi couldn't bear to see Eiko so closed up and so she sought an
opportunity to invite her sister-in-law to church.
"Mutsumi encouraged me saying, 'Don't close yourself up at home all
the time. Come to church with me. Listen to the priest's talks.' So
one day I resolutely made my way to church and discovered the wonderful
kindness of Father Luis Gutierrez (Dominican). He spoke in words so
clear that even I, a beginner, could easily understand. Thinking, 'If
only my husband and I could come together to listen to him,' tears
welled up again."
Every Wednesday Eiko has studied to prepare for baptism. She mentioned
that Fr. Gutierrez always prepares delicious coffee and snacks. In
a comfortable atmosphere he talks about Christ in very easy-to-understand
words.
Eiko said that when she goes to church and meets the priest and sees
the bright faces of the other Catholics, she begins to feel happy again.
She feels at ease when she is welcomed by her sister-in-law, Mutsumi,
at the church entrance. Her face has brightened up.
Eiko said, "I enjoy going to church once a week. Certainly my
husband is cheering me on. What made me want to receive baptism is
that I would have the same faith as my husband. As I listen to all
the stories about Jesus my heart softens and I feel kind and gentle.
When my husband died, my heart lost its bearings. Actually, I still
feel lonely, but now that I know God is always with me, my heart has
become strong and I know I am not alone. I believe in God and I want
to live the rest of my life with all my strength."
Eiko Hiraoka expects to be baptized at the Easter Vigil on the evening
of April 7 at the Matsuyama Church.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
3. PERUVIAN IMMIGRANTS LEAD THEIR CHILDREN TO CHURCH
Catholic Weekly, March 11, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
Patricia Rosaura Del Aguilar, 41, a second-generation Japanese-Peruvian,
came to Japan 15 years ago with her husband Segundo Florentino Del
Aguilar Perez, 44. They live in Ise, Mie prefecture.
Both Segundo and Patricia are born Catholics and because they wanted
to attend Mass they asked everyone they met where the church was. At
last when they did find the church in Ise, their lack of Japanese language
was a barrier. Often on weekdays they used to go to the church and
pray quietly by themselves. They wanted to have their children baptized
but here, again, the language and their work schedule were obstacles.
Their children, 13-year-old Chiaki and eight-year-old Shinshi, began
going to church in June last year.
The first time Shinshi went to church he was nervous, but now he enjoys
his time there.
"After Mass I play hide and seek with my friends," he said. "After
catechism class one Saturday we decorated the Christmas tree together.
It's fun to have lots of friends. I like the church very much and I
want to be baptized. The priests are kind. It's nice to be called by
name -- 'Shinshi-kun.'"
School is Chiaki's favorite place, but the church has a special meaning
for her.
"When I come to Mass I feel that my heart is made clean. In church,
I feel I behave differently to my friends and parents. I want to be
baptized because I like Christ. He was not rich but he helped all sorts
of people. That's why I like him. I want to get nearer to him, even
one step nearer," she said.
The children learn a lot at the doctrine classes on Saturday. Sometimes
the content is difficult to understand, but their father explains it
to them when they go for a drive. Chiaki and Shinshi have been hearing
about Christ since they were three or four years old. The family says
a prayer of thanksgiving together every night before they go to sleep.
Previously, Patricia worked in a travel bureau in Peru and had come
to Japan on business. Segundo was working in a plastics factory but
he came to like Japan and thought he would like to work here for a
few years. Finally, he gave up his job at the factory and came to Japan.
At present, Segundo uses his special skills to fashion molds according
to blueprint directions. Patricia also works.
According to Segundo, in the early years after arriving, lack of language
led to some teasing at the workplace. Faith was his support then and
he resolved to keep going. Now he has good friends and the world is
opening up to him.
Actually in Ominato-cho, the neighborhood where the family lives, there
is hardly anyone who does not know Segundo. He is famous both as "Segundo" and
as "Chiaki's papa." There is an old lady who waits by the
roadside every morning for a chat with him.
Commenting on the impact of the Church on his daughter, Segundo said, "She
has changed a lot since coming to church. Previously she wanted this
and that, all items with famous brand names and so on. Now she tells
me, 'Good people become like Jesus. The important part is not what
we see on the outside, but what we are like inside.' She explains this
using the story of Lazarus as an example. Since learning about Jesus
we do not hear Chiaki's 'I want this and I want that' any more. But
this is not from a resolve to go without things. We want her to learn
the real way to buy things. The policy in our house is to buy what
we need, not what we want."
Patricia wants her children to be earnest, responsible and kind. "If
they can balance these three virtues," she said, "they will
grow up to be good people. We want to rear our children to think of
others."
When they watch the news on television and see pictures of poverty-stricken
children in Africa and South America, Patricia explains to the children
the illness and poverty that children suffer every day in those places.
Chiaki and Shinshi will be baptized during the Easter Vigil Mass at
Ise Church April 7.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
2. TWO YOUNG MEN FIND A NEW LIFE WITH PARISH PRIEST
Catholic Weekly, March 4, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches
all over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens
preparing for baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ
and their hopes for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity
for every member of the community to take another look at his or her
faith.
Kyosuke Suzuki, 17, and Ryo Kishimoto, 18, did not get along when they
first met.
"We were as friendly as a dog and a monkey. Whether it was inside or
outside, every time we came eye to eye, right away we were quarreling
and fighting, and someone had to stop us."
Now, however, they have become friends. Along with five other teenagers
they live in community in the Maebashi Church rectory in Gunma prefecture
under the supervision of the pastor, Saitama diocesan priest Fr. Hiroshi
Oka,74.
Concerned with youth problems for over 30, Fr. Oka has made the second
floor of his house available to young people who have problems of one
kind or another, and looks after them as parent and guardian.
Suzuki came to the parish about 18 months ago. He was only in the first
year of elementary school when his mother disappeared with her second
husband. Suzuki and his younger brother cried themselves to sleep for
five days without eating or drinking. When their mother did not return,
Kyosuke took his small brother by the hand and went to their grandfather's
place, but in the end they were sent to Easter Village, an orphanage
run by Saitama diocese.
"During our third year at the institution," Suzuki said, "our
mother appeared suddenly one day and promised to come again. We waited
but she did not come on the promised day. I felt betrayed and wanted
to kill her. I was told that she was in debt to moneylenders. The debt
collectors were harrying her so she went into hiding."
After eight years, on graduating from junior high school, Suzuki was
adopted by his grandfather. Thinking that he must not be a burden to
his grandfather and that at least he could do something to support
himself, Suzuki tried everywhere for a job. Eventually he ended up
working with a carpenters' outfit only to find they were involved with
gangsters. They found excuses to withhold his pay and told him he had
broken some tools and had to pay for them and so on. Finally he found
refuge with Fr. Oka.
Kishimoto began living at Fr. Oka's rectory about a year ago. He also
had some rough times that started when he was eight.
He described the event, saying, "In front of our eyes, my mother
signed a petition for divorce, shook hands with us, said goodbye and
left with another man. My father told me afterwards that I was so shocked
I lost interest in everything."
After that, Kishimoto and his three siblings were reared strictly by
their father. Knowing what his father expected of him as the eldest,
Ryo began to feel the pressure. At 15, he ran away from home.
"I had a girlfriend and wanted to be with her but I was afraid what
my father would say. For eight months I lived in public toilets, coin
laundries and slept on the street. I lived on what money I could pick
up but hunger drove me to shoplifting in a supermarket," he said.
His second attempt at shoplifting backfired.
"The second time I shoplifted, I was caught and sent to a juvenile
correction center. I was sure my father would not come to visit but
he did. 'If
he scolds me,' I thought, 'I'll get real mad at him.' But instead of
scolding, he asked me gently what life was like at the center. It was
the first time I saw him crying. I felt very sorry for myself, knelt
down and asked him to forgive me."
At the moment, Suzuki and Kishimoto are taking a high school correspondence
course and helping with chores around the church.
Fr. Oka has some basic rules: no overnight absences, all meals in common
and all must help to prepare the meals and wash up after. In the meantime,
the boys are learning how to get along with others and mind their manners.
By learning the basic rules for life in community they find a point
of contact with society. Their horizons begin to widen.
Describing the difference it has made for him, Suzuki said, "I
am really glad I was able to come here. I have found happiness here.
Best of all was meeting Fr. Oka. He saved my life by taking me in when
I had nowhere to go. It was my salvation. I know now the importance
of being educated and I want to get into society. I learned other things
too, like good manners and how to conduct myself. I feel that the people
I live with here are special, something like brothers and sisters,
family."
Kishimoto, too, said that his time at the Maebashi Church has helped
him.
"Fr.Oka saved me from the juvenile correction center. I can see now
that my father's strictness was actually kindness."
Suzuki spent a month last autumn working as a volunteer in an orphanage
in Mongolia. He came back more adult and met his mother again, the
first time in five years. He said, "I want to be baptized, because
I want to forget everything that happened and start over again."
Fr. Oka added, "Suzuki was so angry he felt like killing his mother.
Then, last year they met again and he was ready to forgive her. This
was one of the reasons he began to think of baptism."
Kishimoto said that he began to think about baptism after he saw the
film The Passion of the Christ. "After seeing the film for the
second or third time, I was struck by the figure of Christ on the Cross
carrying all our sins. I wanted to be baptized and strengthen my faith.
I feel that God is always with me."
Kyosuke Suzuki and Ryo Kishimoto will be baptized during the Easter
Vigil at Maebashi Church April 7.
CATECHUMEN SERIES
1. HIS HEAVY BURDEN LAID ASIDE AT MASS: A SHUT-IN RETURNS TO SOCIETY
Catholic Weekly, February 25, 2007
A great number of people will be baptized at Easter in churches all
over Japan. Each year, the Catholic Weekly introduces catechumens preparing
for
baptism. The series shows how they came to meet Christ and their hopes
for Christian life. The articles are also an opportunity for every
member of
the community to take another look at his or her faith.
"At church there is no need for display," said Hitoshi Kawaguchi,
40, a catechumen of the Sumiyoshi Church in Tokyo. "You can just
be yourself and be at ease. If that is all right with God, then it
is all right with me, too. It is enough if I stand in the presence
of God. I have become a fan of Jesus. Jesus was willing to visit anyone,
everyone, to be with them always, accepting them and giving them rest."
Kawaguchi said he is at home in the church. Every night before going
to bed, he thanks God for the day that is just ending. Every morning
he renews his resolution to make the new day another good one.
"Every day that comes is a good day. I am happy now, really," he
said.
As a high school student, Kawaguchi was one of the tough ones who could
study hard and play hard too. He entered the electrical engineering
department in his school with a view to taking over the family electrical
goods store. He enjoyed his studies, went rowing, played the guitar,
ran around on a scooter. He lived his youth to the full. On becoming
a wage earner, however, life changed abruptly.
He was asked to do impossible things and was given unreasonable orders
to such an extent that he began to consider only what was loss and
gain for himself. At the workplace he grew into the habit of concealing
his true feelings. Eventually he came to distrust people even to the
point of hating himself.
The work of wiring and lighting new houses continued, a work cycle
that reversed the order of day and night. After work he would go drinking
in some bar. Two years ago he and his wife were divorced by arbitration.
"Because I was able to work off my stress in a bar, I got home later
and later. It was enjoyable to drink and forget unpleasant things and
my own fatigue, but I was never really satisfied, never fulfilled in
my inner heart. Meanwhile, my wife had filed a petition for divorce.
Even now I am not allowed to see my daughter."
Divorce meant not only the loss of his family. Kawaguchi also lost
the will to work. Eventually he threw up his job and became a shut-in.
Unwilling to think of anything, he spent the whole day in his room.
Every day was a flight from reality. His parents worried about him
and called on him but it was an effort even to respond to them.
"I felt myself that this way of life could not continue and then on
one of those shut-in days a line from the Gospel surfaced in my memory,
'Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give
you rest.'" (Matt.11:28)
Kawaguchi had been reading books concerning the Bible for seven or
eight years before that. His interest had started with the Western
culture he found in films that came from Hollywood and Europe, but
his reading was only with a view to understanding the culture. However,
for some reason or other those lines had struck a cord in his heart.
In November 2005, after five months as a shut-in, Kawaguchi visited
the Akabane Church in Tokyo and attended Mass. He had been born and
reared in Akabane and knew from childhood days that there was a church
there, but this was the first time he entered the church grounds.
"I don't know why, really, but suddenly the idea came to me — 'I'll
go to the church today.' Relying on Jesus' words, I got up and went
to Mass. I did not understand the meaning of the Mass but I found relief;
the emptiness in my heart began to heal. I felt the words of the gospel
coming true."
Immediately after that, Kawaguchi joined the catechumenate. Eventually,
his friends and Conventual Franciscan Father Kazuo Furukawa, the pastor,
persuaded him to go back to work.
At the church he also has the support of his godfather Toshiro Yamaguchi.
Kawaguchi has regained his good health. The haggard expression has
left his face, and recently he was heard to say, "I am getting
younger."
He said he sees his daughter in his dreams and would love to meet her,
but the separation from his wife and child is no longer an open wound.
"I was not a good husband. I regret that now. I had been running away
from reality but now I am accepting it. I am ready to face the future
with hope. Despair is the greatest betrayal of God's love."
A devoted surfer, Kawaguchi always prays before testing the surf. On
the waves he feels a power greater than himself.
Commenting on his planned April 7 baptism, he said, "In the waters
of baptism I really will be born again."
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