Today's Missionaries
- 1. What is your current ministry?
In the parish, I am the coordinator of Catechesis, I help in the organization of the Liturgy and support the process of integration of the Japanese and Hispanic communities, as well as coordinate the small community of 30 Hispanic families.
At home we pray the Holy Rosary monthly with people from 6 different parishes; when it is my turn, I prepare a topic for the meeting. Also, I teach English to the children in the Kindergarten and Spanish to Japanese adults. Also, I serve the poor people in downtown Osaka. Finally, every two months, I go to the psychiatric hospital with a Catholic and Protestant group to sing and entertain the sick.
- 2. What is your favorite part of ministry?
What I love most is to “walk together” in this journey of Faith, to discover the spaces in which it is possible to grow in humanity and, at the same time, to be able to share the gift of faith.
- 3. Your favorite way to pray?
I prefer to pray with the Bible practicing the method of the “Lectio Divina”.
- 4. What is the best part of living in community?
I live with 4 Japanese sisters, so the most beautiful part of living in community is that we share the same ideal of life.
- 5. What do you do for fun?
In my free time I like to walk when there is good weather. If it is raining or it is too cold, I prefer to stay in the Chapel in silence.
- 6. Any nicknames?
I don’t have any nickname, but I love my name in Japanese: “Eiko”
- 7. Any words of wisdom for those considering missionary-religious life?
To those that desire to consecrate their lives to God as missionaries, I tell you: leave your heart open; leave always the doors open to the Lord of the surprises: God is creative and never stops “surprising” us.
