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.