austraLasia #2639
Doctor Maeda: a wonderful, generous benefactor
KAWASAKI: 7 May 2010 -- Thirty six years have slipped beneath the bridges of life's stream since that distant April 1974, when the Salesian aspirantate opened in Kawasaki. Fr Franco Nakagaki, who died in 1999, was the Rector and Fr Loro Piana, a newly-ordained priest, was the assistant, but from the outset there was one person, the devoutly Christian Dr Thomas Maeda Norihisa, who in so many ways made himself present to the aspirantate through his affection and collaboration.
The Saint Marianna Hospital was built in the 60s under his direction. Today it holds more than one thousand beds, and nearby is the University of Medicine, preparing future doctors with a program which also includes the study of Christian thinking.
Dr Maeda organised a fervent group of faithful in the Parish at Saginuma. They have continued to help the aspirantate both spiritually and materially. The vast majority of young confreres in this Province come through the Kawasaki aspirantate and all of them gratefully recall not just the happy suppers at Dr Maeda's home, but also and especially his warm words of encouragement.
On Saturday 5 May, a childrens feast day in Japan, around twenty young priests and brothers wanted to come together in the church at Saginuma (Kawasaki) to express their gratitude to their great benefactor Dr Maeda who has already passed his 90th birthday’, but who continues to pray for and help the aspirants
During the Mass celebrated by the Provincial Fr Aldo Cipriani, the principal of Yokohama Salesian School Fr Daniel Torigoe gave a very warm homily, recalling that he was one of the first seven boys to enter the new aspirantate as a student in 1974.
A solemn but fraternal agape followed, during which the main personage, along with his wife, could not hide his surprise at such a warm and unexpected show of gratitude.
Thank you Dr Maeda and ad multos annos.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Doctor Maeda: a wonderful, generous benefactor
KAWASAKI: 7 May 2010 -- Thirty six years have slipped beneath the bridges of life's stream since that distant April 1974, when the Salesian aspirantate opened in Kawasaki. Fr Franco Nakagaki, who died in 1999, was the Rector and Fr Loro Piana, a newly-ordained priest, was the assistant, but from the outset there was one person, the devoutly Christian Dr Thomas Maeda Norihisa, who in so many ways made himself present to the aspirantate through his affection and collaboration.
The Saint Marianna Hospital was built in the 60s under his direction. Today it holds more than one thousand beds, and nearby is the University of Medicine, preparing future doctors with a program which also includes the study of Christian thinking.
Dr Maeda organised a fervent group of faithful in the Parish at Saginuma. They have continued to help the aspirantate both spiritually and materially. The vast majority of young confreres in this Province come through the Kawasaki aspirantate and all of them gratefully recall not just the happy suppers at Dr Maeda's home, but also and especially his warm words of encouragement.
On Saturday 5 May, a childrens feast day in Japan, around twenty young priests and brothers wanted to come together in the church at Saginuma (Kawasaki) to express their gratitude to their great benefactor Dr Maeda who has already passed his 90th birthday’, but who continues to pray for and help the aspirants
During the Mass celebrated by the Provincial Fr Aldo Cipriani, the principal of Yokohama Salesian School Fr Daniel Torigoe gave a very warm homily, recalling that he was one of the first seven boys to enter the new aspirantate as a student in 1974.
A solemn but fraternal agape followed, during which the main personage, along with his wife, could not hide his surprise at such a warm and unexpected show of gratitude.
Thank you Dr Maeda and ad multos annos.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
