July 2022

The great heat,  and some violent storm, of the season notwithstanding, Shinmeizan was able to carry on its usual activities also during the last month of July.  Among these we wish to remember in a special way the following:

From July 2 to July 10, the retreat of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, from Fukuoka;

On July 4, the participation of Sr. Maria at the episcopal ordination of Bp. Shinzo Moriyama, newly appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Oita, a friend of Shinmeizan since his seminary days.

On july 17, the celebration of the Baptism of Ms. Naoko Hirose Llosas , (a professional “organist” living now in Switzerland, graduate of the Elisabeth University of Music of Hiroshima, where she attended classes on the Liturgy held by Fr. Franco). Also her husband and two children, and some classmates from various parts of Japan, attended.  

On July 18, a group of faithful and catechumens from the Parish Church of Tetori (Kumamoto), led by their Pastor, Rev. Sakurai, and Ms. Hirata, in charge of the catechumenate, came for a retreat.

On July 21-22, Sr. Maria traveled to Tokyo to attend an ecumenical event organized by the Committee for Ecumenism (of which Sr. Maria is a member) of the Catholic Bishops` Conference of Japan.