Did You Know?

 

 

 

That we have a new Papal Nuncio? His name is Archbishop Leo Boccardi, an Italian. Pope Francis announced his appointment as the new Ambassador to Japan on March 11, 2021. Abp. Boccardi has served in Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Belgium, the Vatican, Sudan, Eritrea, and Iran. He speaks Italian, French, English, and Spanish. He replaces Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, who died in Tokyo in September last year. We look forward to meeting him here at St. Ignatius.
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia? It is a document on the beauty and joy of love in the family. Latin for “The Joy of Love,” it addresses issues regarding the pastoral care of families. It contains a wealth that is yet to be discovered and hopes to bring the Church closer to families around the world. Some of the most interesting topics are: The Current Reality of the Family, Experiences and Challenges, Casting Light on Crises and Worries, and Towards Better Education of Children. On March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, Universal Patron of the Church, Pope Francis officially launched "The Amoris Laetitia Year of the Family." It is aimed at deepening and putting the Exhortation better into practice. Do get a copy. It is a “must read” for families.
That Filipinos are celebrating 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines? No less a person than Pope Francis celebrated the occasion with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica March 14. Addressing Filipinos, he said in his homily, “You received the joy of the Gospel and this joy is evident in your people. We see it in your eyes, on your faces, in your songs, in your prayers, and in the joy with which you bring your faith to other lands… Where ever you go to work, you sow the faith. It is part of your genes, a blessed “infectiousness” that I urge you to preserve. Keep bringing to others the faith, the good news you received 500 years ago. I want to thank you, then, for the joy you bring to the whole world and to our Christian communities, where your discreet and hardworking presence is a testimony of faith.” Do you know that the biggest number of English Mass goers here at St. Ignatius are Filipino migrants and their families?
That an excellent handbook for Japanese-Filipino children and young adults with roots in the Philippines was launched March 20? It hopes to bridge cultures, link lives, and help migrant children in their adjustment process when they move to Japan. It is very useful, too, for other nationalities. Produced and published by the KAKEHASHI Group with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), the handbook will be distributed to various government prefectural offices, but you can now get a free eBook copy at www.bridgingthegap.jp. There are three versions: English, Tagalog, and Japanese. As one member of the group said, “For newcomers in Japan we hope it will be a great companion and friend as you navigate your way around your new adoptive country without knowing Japanese nor whom to ask.”
  That after Easter Sunday Fr. Sang-won Lee moved to Gion Parish in the Hiroshima Diocese to become its new Pastor? That Fr. Kiyoshi Shibata has come to St. Ignatius as one of our Associate Pastors? That Fr. Joseph Thanh Nhã will be sent to other places for pastoral work? We thank the Lord for these Jesuits, for their generous service in St. Ignatius Church and their availability to other Jesuit missions. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!