Tokyo, Japan -- On the 29th of January, Himonya Salesian Parish (Tokyo, GIA) celebrated the Feast Day of Don Bosco in advance and the Golden Jubilee of priestly ordination of two Salesians, Fr. Antonio Shirieda SDB and Fr. John Bosco Kurahashi.
A lot of parishoners came together, not only the old members of the Youth Association of the Parish and past pupils of Meguro Salesio Junior High School whom the two Salesians animated eagerly when they were young, but also today's youths and young students for the happy feast of Father, Teacher and Friend of Youth.
Fr. Kurahashi was the main celebrant of the memorial mass, and first of all he expressed sincere gratitude. In his homily which was mainly given to Sunday school children with easy explanation and cool jokes, playing harmonica, he introduced the three points which Don Bosco once told Dominic Savio to do for becoming a Saint. 1) Be happy and keep smile always. 2) Do honestly what he have to do. 3) Do not let anyone alone, and lead his friends to God. Fr. Kurahashi emphasized that especially smile is the best way to make the world better.
After the mass, under the blue sky, we had the mochi pounding (in Japanese, Mochi-tsuki) event as usual. But this year we held a special lunch celebration, and in the end, reflecting their great friendship for more than 60 years, Fr. Kurahashi and Fr. Shirieda together sang a parody of an old Japanese popular song "Doh-ki no Sakura" ("Cherry Blossoms of the Same Year") expressing their determination to dedicate themselves completely to Christ. And Fr. Shirieda said to the participants, "I am not in good health now, but I will not give up, and I'd like to be always with God. Please pray for me."
Happy Feast Day of Don Bosco and Happy Golden Jubilee!!
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