By Interview with Br. Joseph Do Phuc Hai
Vietnamese missionary in Japan
Chofu, Japan, 4 May 2020 --
How do you feel in Tokyo-Chofu (Japan) community during your first year of your stay?
First of all, I would like to thank God for this opportunity that he has sent me here in Japan to work for Vietnamese migrant youth. Now, I am in Chofu – community located in Tokyo - Japan. I am happy to live here because this is a formation house and we call it “the holy land” of Salesians in Japan because the body of Fr. Cimatti is here and it is also the place where the young people are formed by Salesians to be Salesians in the future.
On the other hand, this is the place where I find peace and the support of Fr. Tamura Nobuyuki – rector – and other confreres in the community. Especially, Fr. Lap who helps me a lot to understand the culture of the Japanese people, and the situation of Vietnamese youth who are living in Japan. Besides the warmth of acceptance from the confreres, I also enjoy the beauty of nature which is really very beautiful.
You look happy in your new mission. What is the source of joy for you now in Japan?
The source of joy for me in Japan is that I have the guidance and support from the provincial and confreres in my apostolate for Vietnamese youth. However, the stories from the young people which they are facing in their lives makes me happy when I accompany them.
One more thing, I have asked the Vietnamese people how they love me and the answer is because I am a religious of the same Congregation as Fr. Lap, Fr. Hien, Fr. Thuy, Fr. Phu who are loved by the Vietnamese people because they also love them very much. This love is not only for Vietnamese but also for Japanese and other nations who are living in Japan.
These things really make me happy and that may be the source of my Joy.
What is your ministry to the young Vietnamese migrant workers about?
I have a chance to do apostolate at weekends in two Salesian parishes: Yamato and Hamamatsu (both in Yokohama diocese), one group of Vietnamese animated by Japanese Sisters DHM. Most of the activities is about youth group animation, organizing parlour games and friendly sharing after Sunday Mass. I share with them some thoughts to encourage and remind one another according to the Liturgical season in the Church. We also start “Bible sharing” on Saturday evening. There is a parish hall in each parish - this is also an opportunity for Salesian parish priests so they also welcome and support us to gather the youth with these activities.
What are the challenges of your new mission?
The challenges for me in this new mission are many, but they become chances and opportunities especially for me as a Salesian Brother. Main issue is to learn the language and to adjust to the culture of Japan; then to respond to the needs of Vietnamese youth and learn how to work with other religious and diocesan priests.
There are not many young people to join the activities for the youth after Sunday Mass. Two groups have about 30 young people, one group 10 and here in Chofu where I stay, there is only one migrant youth. There are already many diocesan priests and other religious congregations taking also care about Vietnamese migrants. We thank God for this!
And moreover our Vietnamese youth are coming to Japan mainly for work, many of them have two part-time jobs, even on Saturday and Sunday. They also need to attend some Japanese language class, so they do not have time for any other activity in the Church. Aside from Sunday Mass and Confession, it is quite difficult to have other activities. Now we try to have online recollection for the youth due to the current Coronavirus pandemic situation.
Would you invite other EAO Salesians to Japan?
I am happy to have other (missionary) confreres from some (EAO) provinces come to Japan.
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