"On the evening of the first day of the week...Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. And the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:19-20)
 
Let us pray with all our hearts that the "peace of the Lord” that the Lord Jesus himself blessed us with when he was crucified may reach the heart of each one of us, and that the same hope and healing for a "new heaven and a new earth" may permeate the whole world.
 
The never-ending flames of war, expanding social division and economic disparity, deepening distrust in politics and social instability, growing nationalism, and dissemination of information through social media regardless of its truth—are these aspects of the "end times" that the gospel speaks of, or are they just the "pains of birth"?

The motto of the Jubilee Year 2025 is "Pilgrims of Hope." Pope Francis in his last encyclical stated, "Hope does not deceive." This Jubilee is a holy year that highlights unfailing hope, hope in God. May this Jubilee Year help us to restore the trust that is so essential in the Church and in society, in human relations among people, and in international relations, in the promotion of dignity for all, and care for creation. May the testimony of believers become a leaven of true hope in this world, heralding new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Pet 3:13) - a place where nations will live in justice and harmony, toward the realization of the Lord's promises.

The Gospel of John continues as follows: "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.'" (John, 20:21) And they were given the Holy Spirit to live out their mission of being sent out and to bear witness. Both individuals and communities walk the path as "pilgrims of hope." Together, we are sent out to bear a testimony that will become "the leaven of true hope in the world."

Our St. Ignatius parish community is also defining its vision based on Mission 2030 and is going through a process of implementing a pastoral mission policy. Following on the way of the Synod, we will seek to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we find our way to grow into an international community that bears witness and is "a leaven of true hope in the world."
 
Therefore, the parish theme for this year, as published in various languages, will be "Let's go out together, with our hearts united, together with Jesus, and lowering our anchor in hope." In addition to appointing new Council members, a Preparatory Committee for the formulation of a mid-to-long-term plan will be established under the Pastoral Mission Council to prepare for the establishment of this committee in about a year.
 
Years ago, when the new church was being built, the parish community used to recite a "Prayer for the Construction of a New Church." This prayer has been modified to "Prayer of the Church Journeying Together," and will be used from now on. We are currently working together to discern and deepen cooperation between various liaison committees and activity groups in the parish.

"May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy..."
(1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

Fr. Toshiaki Koso, SJ