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Message from the Priest
"But I have no reason to boast if I preach the gospel, for I cannot help it. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel." (St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:16)
Everyone lives in pursuit of happiness. St. Paul said the above to the new Christians in Corinth. They would be unhappy if they did not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. In other words, preaching the gospel was his greatest happiness and the very meaning of life.
Jesus Christ proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), offering guidance and hope to those lost and suffering. He loved the world until His final moments. Over 160 years ago, believers in this Jesus Christ, convinced that He was the path to truth and life, arrived in Hakodate to share the gospel.
In 1859 (Ansei 6), missionaries from the Paris Foreign Missions Society, entrusted by Rome with the revival of missions in Japan, brought the gospel to this area. Later, in 1901 (Meiji 34), Bishop Berlioz purchased a private house located at the current site in what was then Kameda Village. This marked the founding of Kameda Church (now Miyamaecho Church), which became a center for spreading the gospel in the region. Through activities such as medical care, welfare services, and education, the church has reached many people and become well-known.
The church doors are always open, so feel free to visit anytime.
Message from the Associate Priest
Jesus, after his resurrection, tells the women, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (Matthew, 28:10)
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which is translated as "God with us" (Matthew, 1:23)
Last 2021, the Catholic Church of the Philippines celebrated the 500 years of the Foundation of Christianity brought by the Spaniards. Catholicism flourished for half a century and will continue to radiates the grace of faith to the Filipinos. Along the celebration, the Church was committed to send 500 priests missionaries all over the world as payback for the missionary works received by the Filipinos.
It is God’s grace to be one of the priest-missionaries sent abroad particularly in the Diocese of Sapporo, Japan. The words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid..” (Matthew 28:10) strengthen me in my unfamiliar mission to be planted and bear fruit a home away from home. I know God is with me in journeying the people towards His Kingdom.
My mission is not to bring Jesus Christ to Filipinos and the other nationality since I do not have the autonomy of possessing God. But rather, I am here to let you feel that God is with you (Joshua 1:9). God is always journeying with you. You are not alone in your struggles to earn and support for your families left at home in the Philippines. May my presence reminds and encourages you that God is with us(Matthew1:23). Let us all together deepen our faith to God and inspire others by living the Joy of the Gospel(Pope Francis).
