Opening for the poor youth in Miyazaki

By Fr. Noby Tamura, SDB

Miyazaki, Japan, 3 September 2016 -- 90 years after arrival of the first Salesians to Japan (Miyazaki Oita Apostolic Prefecture) in February 1926, the Salesian spirit is much alive and dynamic. Small community of 4 Salesians - one Salesian Brother and 3 Priests is fully present amidst a large coeducation Junior and Senior High School with 763 students of Hyuga Gakuin (started in 1946). The EPC of Miyazaki comprise 80 teachers and staff with a tiny Catholic presence (5 teachers are Catholic and 1 is a Salesian Cooperator). There are already 11.000 graduates of our school during past almost 70 years.

During recent School Cultural and Sport Festival (With Smiles) many Past Pupils and Parents, Salesian Family members - Caritas Sisters and Salesian Cooperators witnessed a wonderful family spirit environment - a trademark of the School Community. Each one of our teachers is trying to live the spirit of Assistenza. Our students have ample possibility of developing their personal gifts in spite of the competitive environment of Japanese education system - they are good in arts, music, dance, many kind of sport. Although we have only a dozen of Catholic students or possible catechumens, the Good Morning Talk shared by school radio, daily greeting of the Salesians (Principal Fr. Hamasaki, Viceprincipal Fr. Noby and Fr. Nakada) in the main school gate, religion and ethic class - it forms a family environment that speaks about Gospel and Jesus through our life.

Since the Catholic Community of Miyazaki (Parish priests Fr. Yoshida, Fr. Chu and Fr. Piacere, MX) is very small, we are helping each other. The presence of Caritas Sisters of Jesus (7 communities within the Miyazaki Prefecture, 70 Sisters around the Mother house), 17 Salesian Cooperators and committed Past Pupils are forming with us a joyfully serving Salesian Family.

Although Miyazaki is the most southern Salesian presence in Japan, Kyushu island (80 minutes flight from Tokyo) we were recently proud to be past of the Asia Summit of High Schools that was hosted in our city last August. Our students are regularly involved in the volunteer services in the Caritas sister social works (home for aged, nursery and kindergarten).

As all other Japan Salesian communities we try to get in touch with the poor youth and open to them our doors or develop some new ministry for them. Recent remodelling of our Salesian house (first floor open to welcome any youth for short programs) and our appeal to all Friends of Don Bosco in Miyazaki (help to discover the concrete needs of poor youth and join already other organizations working for them) were discussed during the recent extraordinary visitation of our community. We are humbly proud to continue the mission of the first Salesians in Japan and so prepare well the Centenary of our presence in 1926.

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