New Taxi in Niigata

After our lunch last Saturday, while walking in front of our Church, I saw something interesting. Yeah folks, that something interesting is shown in the photo above.
This is something similar to Tricyle and Tribike in the Philippines. The difference it has is that, it can be used by pedaling and also by using the attached motor. This is the new taxi in Niigata, and it is limited to 4 machines as of this writing. This machine is something like Hybrid Tribike! Visitors coming to Niigata city can reserve by calling the company. Fee starts from 500 Yen for the first kilometer, then 300 Yen per Kilometer for the succeeding kilometers. The taxibike has its won route to avoid the traffic, but it can also go anywhere when rented.
Though this thing is an environmental friendly machine, I don't think I will ride it from the Bullet Train Station to Niigata Catholic Church since it will cost me 1700 Yen. I might just walk... not only friendly to the environment but also to my health... and to my wallet, Arrr!

In Remembrance...

This year, Niigata Catholic Church celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Dedication of Niigata Church. The celebration started last September 8 with a talk given by Fr. Shirahama on The Living Presence of the Eucharist. On November 3, a commemoration Mass will be held. Bishop Kikuchi, SVD of the Diocese of Niigata will preside, while the Nuncio to Japan and some 30 priests will concelebrate. As part of the celebration, there will be Pipe Organ Charity Concerts on the 16th and 17th of November. The Picture Gallery will also be opened to the public from November 3. The culminating celebration will be on November 25, the Feast of Christ the King, whom the church is dedicated.

I arrived in Niigata Catholic Church in April 23 (the Feast of St. George, my patron saint) 2006. I am assigned as Assistant to the Parish Priest (who is a Japanese), and also became a member of the Niigata Diocese Migrants Commission. The list shows that there are around 500 who belong to the Church in Niigata. However, only more than a hundred attend the Sunday liturgical activities. The mission which was started by the French missionaries in Niigata, which was then followed by the German SVDs will always be treasured in the hearts of the Japanese. My questions are: Will the aging Japanese parishioners respond actively to the mission of inculcating the faith to their children and grandchildren after 80 years? Will the church too big enough for less than a hundred or too small for growing Mass goers when the church celebrates her 100 years? I, for myself, inherited my Catholic Faith from my parents, who themselves inherited theirs from their parents.

"When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" That is God's business, and also partially ours.

National Assembly in Saitama Diocese

Last October 22 until 24, a National Assembly on Migrants was held in Utsonomiya in the Diocese of Saitama. The theme was: "What Can We Do? What Can We Not Do?"

Fr. Wein, OFM talked about "Self-Care" which includes "Stress Management" and even "Cultural Differences." Indeed, we need to take good care of our selves in order to be able to respond to the needs of others. Role Plays were shown so as to have a wider view of our own selves in our workplaces and also in our own parishes.

This gathering was also a sort of respite to all those working with migrants. We listened to each others' experiences, talked from our own point of views, and learned from others' mistakes. Of course, the assembly would have been incomplete without the laughters and midnight sharing of whatever over bottles of sake and wine, cans of beer, and overflowing snacks.

What did I learn? TO TAKE A VACATION... self-care first, huh!

Asian Congress in Nagasaki

The 3rd Asian Congress on Pilgrimages and Shrines was held in Nagasaki from October 15 to 17, with the theme "Pilgrimages and Shrines: Places of Hope." There were 97 participants from 16 different countries. The 1st Congress took place in Manila in 2003, and in 2005 it was held in Seoul.

Archbishop Agostino Marchetto of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People said that "pilgrimages and shrines can play an important role in instilling sentiments of hope and a confident wait." Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, PSS of Nagasaki pointed out that the Church "continues to make her pilgrimages to the various sanctuaries in order to show fellowship in faith and prayer, and to remind us that we are on journey towards the Lord." Thus, said Fr. Javier Gonzalez, OP of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, "having our faith and hope set in God allows us to find meaning and courage and even joy when we are confronted with things that we cannot fix."

The Congress made us hope for a better collaboration and even sharing of experiences as regards our own experiences. After the deepening of faith, or should I say hope, we visited different sites and museums in Nagasaki such as those of the 26 Martyrs, the Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the Oura Church which is now a national treasure, and the Peace Park.

Though the Congress made us busy, we still found time to laugh and pose for some Kodak moments. Now it's time to continue the journey...

Called By Love

"Called By Love" is the title of the New Album of Fr. Raul Caga, a fellow SVD who is working in Divine Word Seminary - Tagaytay. The producers were Fr. Raul and Nez Marcelo (a former SVD seminarian). It was recorded at the Arnoldus Communication Center which is located inside the seminary in Tagaytay on November 2005. Fr. Raul's "Life is Beautiful" Album was also a hit! Some of the songs in Fr. Raul's new album is available for your ears only. However if you want to have a copy of the album you may contact Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay or Logos Publications in Tayuman.

Here is the list of the album's songs:

1. One Heart, Many Faces

2. The Fire of Your Love

3. By the Roadside

4. ...and Loved Me Still

5. Q & A

6. Calling Me Back

7. Sa Buhay Ko (In My Life)

8. The Language of the Heart

9. A Beautiful Day

10. Tinawag Mo Ako (You Have Called Me)

11. The Voice Within

12. My Friend / I Haved Loved You

When I attended an international seminar on migrants in Tagaytay last year, I had the priviledged to meet Fr. Raul, and we even went for a cup of coffee to a place overlooking the Taal Lake. I heard that Fr. Raul and his company had concerts in Luzon and Mindanao. He also went to Germany for a concert. We hope we can invite Fr. Raul sometime to share his music with us here in Japan.

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting to you Fr. Raul's "Called By Love" album... Have fun!

One with Nature... at Mt. Yahiko

Last September 11, I went for a drive. Drive, drive, and drive... then I saw something like a gate to somewhere. The road leads to a Seasideline and to a Skyline.

I took the Skyline going to Mt. Yahiko which fortunately can lead me back to Niigata. The Seasideline goes to Nagaoka. It was a good drive because I enjoyed the scenery: mountain and sea.

I continued driving until I reached the top... it was overlooking the Japan Sea and also the agricultural lands of Niigata.

It's been a while since I took a time out from my work schedules to be with nature. I wrote a graduate thesis on the Biblical Perspective of Environmental Ethics, and it was with this experience that I found my self reading my old notes and used books. I admit, I forgot all about it when I received my diploma. I realized I have to go out from my room and/or office to see how nature is doing. Maybe I'll challenge my self to go for a mountain hiking, but... I think I will take the road with the view of the Sea of Japan next time.

The Priest With Red Shoes

Usually when I am out for a vacation or other social activities, I use my "red shoes". A confrere asked me: KSP ka ba? I answered with a question: Why? And he responded with: You will be easily recognized by the color of your shoes.

In 2001, Fila and Ferrari signed an agreement for the distribution of athletic footwear and sportswear apparel. In 2002, Fila unveiled F2002 which was obviously red with the prancing horse symbol. The shoe includes an outsole that looks like a tire tread and an upper made of material that resembles a Ferrari's glossy paintwork. It retailed for about 130 USD in the US and 25,000 Yen in Japan. I bought a pair at Fila US Store in the internet. My sister, who is in the US mailed it to me.

In 2003, another Replica Edition came out... This time my sister bought it for me.

In 2004, another Replica Edition was unveiled... Again, my sister bought it for me.

After the F2004, Fila and Ferrari terminated their agreement. Puma signed with Ferrari as the new distributor. Puma came out with the limited edition of SF Future Cat GT. My sister gave me a pair of this edition.

That was my last pair of red shoes... Puma made many SF Editions and I found it confusing which of them is the real Ferrari Replica Shoes. Puma 2007 edition is in the market but I do not have a pair of it. Pity on me? I do not think so.

Anyway, I gave my F2002 to my eldest brother which in turn gave it to his son. I gave my F2003 to one of my nephews who appreciated it so much. When I went to the Philippines for a short respite, my nephew liked my SF Future Cat GT. I gave it to him. What is left with me now is my F2004. Maybe when I go home for a vacation in the Philippines, I will pass it on. And soon probably my confrere will ask me: Why are you not wearing your red shoes?

NOTE:

1. KSP - Kulang Sa Pansin (A person who needs an attention; lack of attention)

2. Fila-Ferrari Replica Shoes are no where to be found if you want one.

3. F2002 resembles Spiderman (Red and Black), maybe a Yellow Spiderman will come out of nowhere next time.

4. There are Ferrari Spiderman series: F355, F360, and F430. If Z3 had been called Spidey, Ferrari would be having 4.

The Old and The New HP

In 1998, I created my "First E-mail Addy" japsaya98 with Yahoo! Also during that year, I made my "First HP" with Geocities (US) which is still working up to now. Since then, I had been updating my HP until I went for vacation in 2004. When I came back, my PW did not work anymore. Two possible things happened: 1. I forgot my PW; and 2. Someone just got and changed it. So if you received e-mails from japsaya98@yahoo.com from September 2004, or still receiving e-mails from my old e-mail, be it known that that is not from me anymore. Sorry folks for the inconvenience. Having said that, visit htttp://www.faminialagao.com which is my new HP.