July 1, 2022

1. Maintenance of Pipe Organ in the Main Church
   After 23 years of its construction, we are finally having the maintenance of the pipe organ in the main church. The pipe organ will undergo an overall cleaning which includes taking out, cleaning and reassembling of its 3146 pipes.
   IMPORTANT: Maintenance Period: Monday, August 8 - Tuesday, September 6.
   In the meantime, the main chapel will be closed for the public on weekdays.
   However, the Sunday Masses will be held as usual in the main church.
   • ※ During the maintenance period, the Saturday 6 PM mass, all Sunday masses, the mass of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15, and the mass for the elderly on September 3 will be held in the main church. Weekday adoration and group masses will be held in St. Mary’s or Xavier’s chapel. Please confirm at the parish office about the location of the Mass on weekdays.
      
2. Precautionary Measures against the COVID-19
   His Excellency Archbishop Kikuchi has announced that starting June 25, 2022, the precautionary measures against the pandemic will be lowered to the second stage. There are also going to be some changes in St. Ignatius Church as below:
   1. Sunday Masses (Saturday 6 PM Mass, All Sunday Masses)
      • Even if we are in the second stage of precautionary measures, we still have to maintain a safe social distance with each other in the church. In order to facilitate the number limit for mass attendance, the online reservation process for mass attendees will be continued.
      • From August, the limit of number of attendees will increase to 250 people.
      • The mass of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Monday, August 15 will also have to be reserved.
         
   2. Weekday Masses (Monday to Friday)
      • From Monday, August 8 to Tuesday, September 6, weekday adoration and group masses will be held in St. Mary’s or Xavier’s chapel.
      • From Thursday, September 8(The feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary), the daily Japanese weekday Masses (7 AM, 12 AM, and 6 PM) will be resumed as usual. Since there is no need for reservations, everyone is invited to participate.
         
   3. The Mass for the Elderly and Those with Illness (Every 1st Saturday of the month, 12 PM)
      • Will be held in the main church on July 2 (Saturday), August 6 (Saturday), and September 3 (Saturday).
      • There will be no reservation. Only names will be asked upon entering the church.
      • There will no longer be the mass for the elderly and those with illness starting from October
      • From September 10, the Saturday 12 PM mass will be considered a weekday mass.
         
   4. The number of people who can enter St. Mary's Chapel and Xavier’s Chapel for a single function/mass is increased to:
      • 90 people for St. Mary’s Chapel and 40 people for Xavier’s Chapel
         

※ Considering the future guidelines from the Tokyo Archdiocese and the situation of the pandemic, there are still chances for changes in the above measures. .

Speaking from his personal experience with COVID-19, the Archbishop mentioned that even though his symptoms were mild, it was still more painful than a regular cold. That is why he believes that it is still not possible to completely remove the COVID precautionary measures. (Delivered at the monthly meeting of the priests of the Tokyo archdiocese on June 27)

With the sudden weather change from the rainy season to the current extreme heat, while also paying attention to the COVID-19 measures, we need to take proper care of our health.

Although it is a great blessing for us to be able to attend the mass on a regular basis, let’s spend this summer prioritizing our health!

Fr. Saturnino Ochoa, SJ
Pastor, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Kojimachi, Tokyo