Faithful gather to receive Holy Communion during Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Tsurumi.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki offers an opportunity to pause and let the uncompromising call for inner renewal of the human family reach our hearts and minds.
Japan’s annual commemoration from August 6-15 emphasizes the urgency of remembering the atomic bombings and re-energizing global efforts for disarmament and the abolition of nuclear weapons. This 10-day period is not just a superficial tourist attraction or a fleeting notion of being stuck in the past.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan have published a message entitled “A Journey of Peace: Bearing Hope” addressed to “all who want peace, especially young people,” in which they underscore three moral imperatives, namely “to remember, to journey together, to protect.”
Living the Gospel of Peace: Fostering Hospitality in Tsurumi
The Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument and St. Philip Church stand under a bright summer sky in Nagasaki, honoring the memory of Japan’s Christian martyrs.
In the pursuit of cultivating an atmosphere of harmony and mutual understanding, it is a common phenomenon in Japan to observe individuals engaging in the expression of peace towards one another. Also, our Friars and parish community in Tsurumi, Yokohama clearly try to foster an environment of hospitality, harmony, and their commitment goes beyond gestures.
One way in which the implementation of Gospel values and the pursuit of peace is manifested in their lives is through our Social Outreach Program coordinated by Brother Ignatius Kobayashi, SA, with the support of two dedicated parish volunteers: Tanaka-san and Yokoyama-san.
On Wednesdays, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight, they actively seek out individuals experiencing homelessness in the Kawasaki area. The objective of these weekly efforts is to provide some form of support to the most vulnerable members of the community, many of whom have been disregarded and neglected. Tanaka-san contributes his expertise in the medical field, while the team plays an essential facilitating role in linking individuals experiencing homelessness with other pertinent services, tailored to their individual needs. The provision of small packages containing sustenance and other useful items is also a service they have made available, the contents of which are determined by individual circumstances.
Safeguarding Dignity and Peace Through Presence and Service
Bro. Ignatius Kobayashi, SA, shares a warm smile and a sign of peace.
Given Brother Ignatius’s extensive experience in this ministry since 2009 and the long-standing involvement of Tanaka-san and Yokoyama-san as well, it is evident that they have cultivated profound relationships with numerous homeless persons. Having joined them recently in July (in Kawasaki), I had the opportunity to observe firsthand the profound impact of their compassionate approach to service, attentive listening, and shared journey with the marginalized. Their efforts play a crucial role in safeguarding human dignity and fostering a sense of tranquility in our troubled world.