By Fr. Dominico Matsunaga, SDB
Tokyo, Japan, 29 August 2016 -- More than 80 years after starting the first Salesian Parish in Tokyo (Arakawa Ward) - Mikawashima, the Catholic community makes daily effort for reaching out to the believers of other faith and people in need. Six Salesians strong community of Arakawa with 2 Salesians in each presence of Mikawashima, Adachi and Akabane witness the missionary zeal of Don Bosco.
Two parishes of Mikawashima (600 faithful with 200 on Sunday Eucharist) and Adachi (200 faithful, 70 on Sunday) within a short distance of 7 kilometers are characterized by a twin presence of parish & kindergarten (cum nursery).
It's a typical missionary strategy in Japan, where is rather difficult to make understand to other people any Gospel message of Joy. Every year we count about 5 baptisms of adults and some of children, usually with their parents.
The presence of the kindergarten & nursery (day care facility for preschool children) does offer a requested services to many working parents. Mikawashima based Nursery with 200 children (0-5 years) and Adachi Kindergarten with 85 children (3-5 years) are highly appreciated by the local population, reaching the daily life of hundred of (non Christian) families and esteemed for personalize education of small children, who spent sometimes even the whole day (7 AM to 7 PM) in these facilities. In present Japan the family face huge challenges and even the drop-in center for parents with their children with some counselling is more and more highly appreciated.
However the pastoral effect goes really far and wide. Good number of elderly and middle age parishioners did share during the extraordinary visitation in our community did witness the crucial role of the kindergarten or nursery as the first step to meet Jesus Christ and his Church - either through their children or through some events. Catechumenate journey leading to eventual baptism usually takes in Japan many years (even 30-50 years for some), but almost always starts with some Catholic education or social work services.
