Our boss at CTIC thought that I would be having a 3-year contract with the office. I felt flattered that he said I was truly needed there, but there was nothing they could do since it was the Provincial's decision to transfer me to a parish in another diocese.
I was to be transferred to a parish church in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, as substitute of a Salesian priest who was to become a missionary at Solomon Islands. It belongs to the Diocese of Yokohama. From the rumors that I heard, when the Provincial consulted the Bishop about his intention of sending the present vicar of the parish to Solomons, the Bishop said that he would prefer a priest who knew English. It seemed that was the reason that I was sent there. Well, it was my first time outside Tokyo since I came to Japan. It was, in a way, a little frightful to realize I would be away from cosmopolitan life! (haha!)
Anyway, I transferred to this new parish after a 3-week vacation in the Philippines. At first, it really felt very provincial. The planes of the Americans in th
e nearby Atsugi Base was also too noisy to bear! Yet, just after some weeks, I really felt at home!
e nearby Atsugi Base was also too noisy to bear! Yet, just after some weeks, I really felt at home!I come from a province called Laguna, south of Metro Manila. Kanagawa is almost like the same with Tokyo. It takes around 42 minutes by express train from the westernmost metropolis of Shinjuku... those crowded trains! At first glance, it seemed like a place that has nothing to offer... but after sometime, you come to realize it offers one important thing: HOME.
Yamato is a parish composed of 6 language groups: Japanese, English (including the Filipinos), Vietnamese, Spanish, Portueguese and Sinhalese. It has a kinderg
arten attached to the church. I only spent 2 years in this parish but it seemed that I was given so much experiences! There were Japanese masses, of course. Being busy Sunday afternoons with English or Tagalog masses in other parishes, I was almost the one always celebrating the Saturday anticipated mass. Then, there was the daily Japanese mass which we took in turns celebrating. I was also the one-charge of the 9:30 1st and 3rd Sunday masses. The 1st Sunday mass was considered the real COMMUNITY MASS, with readings ang prayers (or even songs) from other languages aside from Japanese. It was here in Yamato that I was exposed to saying the homily in 2 or 3 languages. It was here that I realized that EACH AND EVERYONE DESERVES TO UNDERSTAND. At least, in the homily, I tried to do it. It reaped good remarks from both Japanese and foreigners alike.
arten attached to the church. I only spent 2 years in this parish but it seemed that I was given so much experiences! There were Japanese masses, of course. Being busy Sunday afternoons with English or Tagalog masses in other parishes, I was almost the one always celebrating the Saturday anticipated mass. Then, there was the daily Japanese mass which we took in turns celebrating. I was also the one-charge of the 9:30 1st and 3rd Sunday masses. The 1st Sunday mass was considered the real COMMUNITY MASS, with readings ang prayers (or even songs) from other languages aside from Japanese. It was here in Yamato that I was exposed to saying the homily in 2 or 3 languages. It was here that I realized that EACH AND EVERYONE DESERVES TO UNDERSTAND. At least, in the homily, I tried to do it. It reaped good remarks from both Japanese and foreigners alike. 
The parish priest passed on to me some catechism lessons to Japanese who were studying for their baptism or their church wedding. In the kindergarten, I was also the one in-charge of the monthly religion classes of both kids and teachers. I was also given the chance to start some English phrase classes with songs. The kindergarten was one place I truly enjoyed. The innocence and eagerness of the kids truly revive one's tired spirit!
Yamato's atmosphere is different compared to other churches. It is truly a very international church. Here, you don't have to think if you have to be Japanese, Filipino or Sri Lankan. Here, you only have to think you are Catholic. That would be enough. It was the only enticing spirit in the community... and it made Yamato show that it can be Church!
It was in Yamato that I have finally calmed down. The parish priest was also very encouraging and supportive. He treated me like an adult. He was not a nagger, nor was he measuring me according to activities or just-because-it-has-to-be-done things. He treated me as a person... and I could truly feel I grew!
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