_____________________________________________________________

 M ＥＲＲＹ　ＣＨＲＩＳＴＭＡＳ　

A N N O U N C E M E N T ! 

January 21, 2022

Re: GOVERNMENT’S IMPLEMENTATION OF STRICTER COVID-19 COUNTERMEASURES

January 21, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Tokyo:

Re: GOVERNMENT’S IMPLEMENTATION OF STRICTER COVID-19 COUNTERMEASURES

Even with the start of the new year, we are challenged continuously every day concerning our proper response to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you, especially those in the parishes within the Archdiocese of Tokyo, for your cooperation in our precautionary measures against COVID-19 infection. Metropolitan Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture will be subject to the government’s implementation of stricter COVID-19 countermeasures starting today, 21st January until 13th February,

Recently, the number of people reported every day testing positive for the coronavirus has significantly increased, and it is expected that the completion of the booster vaccination will take more time, such that the government is calling for the implementation of stricter COVID-19 countermeasures.

In the Archdiocese of Tokyo, we will continue the implementation of the current Stage 3 precautionary measures and strive for the prevention of the spread of infection. Please refer to the attached document and implement suitable measures against COVID-19 infection in your communities such as in the parishes.

During this difficult situation, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our brothers and sisters for continuously cooperating in our precautionary measures against COVID-19. It is said that the current omicron variant is highly transmissible but the symptoms are not severe. However, the actual truth about it remains unclear and requires careful attention. While continuing our church activities, let us keep our commitment that “we will not be infected, nor will we allow others to be infected,” taking effort to express with zeal our love for neighbors, taking seriously our responsibility to protect not only our own lives but also the lives of others inside and outside of the Church.

I would like to reiterate that during these difficult times, let us especially remember that we are strongly connected with each other as a church community united with a bond that cannot be seen. At the beginning of this new year, let us walk together and renew our trust in the Lord who is always with us. Let us continue to pray to God our Father for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may be able to overcome this difficult time.

Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD
Archbishop of Tokyo

<REFERENCE>

STAGE 3 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AS OF JANUARY 21, 2022

1： In order to keep a distance of about one meter from each other while inside the Church, we have to limit the number of people who can enter the Church. Family members who live together may sit close to each other. If proper ventilation　cannot be maintained due to the structure of the church building, or in the case when keeping a suitable distance between persons is not possible, gathering inside the Church for liturgical celebrations will not be allowed. After the Holy Mass, kindly exit in an orderly manner and refrain from “greetings” and “conversations” while inside the Church.

 Kindly follow the instructions of your parish priest on the specific ways to implement the precautionary measures. Also, please refrain from going out in search of another Church where the Holy Mass is celebrated. Just follow the instructions in the Church where you belong to or in the community where you are part of. The parish will keep a record of those who participated in the Holy Mass in order to respond to the request of the public health department in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection. Careful handling of the personal information will be observed and proper discarding will be made later.

2：For the elderly and those with chronic illness, as much as possible kindly pray at home. However, the age limit will not be enforced in the Church. For families having some concerns or anxieties, kindly pray at home. Please take note that all the faithful of the Tokyo Archdiocese are dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Masses. 

 3：As we had been doing since the beginning from 31st January 2020, let us continue to take proper precautionary measures against COVID-19 such as hand disinfection, providing sufficient ventilation, with everyone wearing face masks for the time being.

4：During the Holy Mass and in other gatherings, please refrain from reciting the prayers all together. In case there is a wide space with proper ventilation, singing of hymns by a choir or by a cantor is possible, but please make sure to wear face masks. 

 5： In the meantime, there will be no offertory procession at the Holy Mass. Also, for the time being, please receive Holy Communion by hand, and everyone must sanitize their hands immediately before reception. For those who would like to receive Holy Communion by mouth, in order to avoid infecting other people with the fingers of the priest during distribution, kindly consult the parish priest beforehand.

6：Except for the Holy Mass, all activities where people meet face-to-face such as meetings, assemblies, gatherings, study groups among others should as much as possible be conducted online. However, such activities may be allowed in the parish if the capacity of the venue (about half the capacity), proper ventilation and the length of time (maximum of about one hour and 30 minutes) is carefully considered. But please refrain from events that involve eating and drinking.

7：For the sacrament of reconciliation, please ensure proper ventilation of the room. Please take note that the notice released on 26th March 2020 regarding “The Message from the Apostolic Penitentiary on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and on Granting of Special Indulgence” is still valid.

Note:  For priests and extraordinary ministers distributing the sacred host, kindly make sure that hands are disinfected and a face mask is worn. The parish priest may ask some parishioners to serve as “extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion” should he find it necessary.  Please wear a face mask regardless of whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Face shields are not a substitute for face masks. Even if you are using a face shield, please use also a face mask with it. Moreover, wearing non-woven masks is recommended.

 For detailed information, please see the official site of the Archdiocese of Tokyo from the link below.

https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/information/42872/

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NEW YEAR GROUP PICTURE (January 2, 2022)

   ※ Tap or click on image to enlarge

 CHRISTMAS PICTURES (December 25 & 26, 2021)

  2021 CHRISTMAS DAY, EVE and 2022 NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS SCHEDULES

                     Catholic Toshima Church (St. Patrick’s Church)

A N N O U N C E M E N T ! 

     During the Coronavirus pandemic, the 12 noon English Sunday Mass will be live streamed. Please sign up if you would like to access the live streaming of Toshima Church Sunday English Mass 

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfe3gHI2V2kE0q-LpijrTY8C-myELALz5Z0PWRRAG48UQ6pHw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR09wVAsQNaYljw614dAdWHLPL5e8qRs4sDorTDhiNAS5DK-sssCtUBDe28         

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A N N O U N C E M E N T ! 

September 24, 2021

Dear brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Tokyo:

RE: ADVISORY AFTER THE LIFTING OF THE FOURTH DECLARATION OF
A STATE OF EMERGENCY

As of this writing, the fourth declaration of a state of emergency is expected to be lifted by the end of September. That being so, public masses and church activities for the Archdiocese of Tokyo will thus resume starting October 1. Since we shall move back to the Stage 3 Precautionary Measures which is appropriate for the current situation, please refer to the attached document and implement suitable measures against COVID-19 infection in your communities such as in the parishes.

 Apart from Sunday Masses in the parishes, there are some other events having in its program the celebration of the Holy Mass on a Saturday or other days of the week which have been scheduled within the Archdiocese beyond October 1. The organizers of such events must consult the parish priest or the person in charge of managing schedules for the use of the church premises and please comply with the precautionary measures for COVID-19 set by the concerned parish.

In the church, we have received reports of parishioners who have died due to COVID-19, as well as reports of priests and parishioners getting infected by the coronavirus, but none of these have been reported as originating from church activities.

Concerning the vaccination program, the Holy Father made a powerful appeal for people to get vaccinated, saying that it is “an act of love.” However, some people choose not to have themselves vaccinated due to various reasons including physical condition and allergies. For this reason, the Archdiocese has decided not to make vaccination mandatory. Since we are not requiring vaccination at this point in time, we have decided not to make restrictions concerning participation in church activities based on whether a person is vaccinated or not.

During this difficult situation, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our brothers and sisters for continuously cooperating in our precautionary measures against COVID-19. Keeping our commitment that “we will not be infected, nor will we allow others to be infected,” let us always keep in mind to act vigorously and take seriously our responsibility to protect not only our own lives but also the lives of others.

I would like to reiterate that during these difficult times, let us especially remember that we are strongly connected with each other as a church community united with a bond that cannot be seen. At the center of our church community is the Lord Jesus Himself who is with us always, until the end of the age, and who guides us along the way as He walks together with us. Let us continue to pray to God our Father for the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may be able to overcome this difficult time.

Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD
Archbishop of Tokyo

<REFERENCE>

STAGE 3 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2021

1：      In order to keep a distance of at least one meter from each other while inside the Church, we have to limit the number of people who can enter the Church. If this is not possible, and if proper ventilation cannot be maintained due to the structure of the church building, gathering inside the Church for liturgical celebrations will not be allowed. After the Holy Mass, kindly exit in an orderly manner and avoid conversations while inside the Church. For the time being, please refrain from “greetings” and “conversations” while inside the Church or around the premises.

 Kindly follow the instructions of your parish priest on the specific ways to implement the precautionary measures. Also, please refrain from going out in search of another Church where the Holy Mass is celebrated. Just follow the instructions in the Church where you belong to or in the community where you are part of. The parish will keep a record of those who participated in the Holy Mass in order to respond to the request of the public health department in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection. Careful handling of the personal information will be observed and proper discarding will be made later.

 2：        For the elderly and those with chronic illness, as much as possible kindly pray at home. However, the age limit will not be enforced in the Church. For families having some concerns or anxieties, kindly pray at home. Please take note that all the faithful of the Tokyo Archdiocese are dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Masses.

 3：      As we had been doing since the beginning from 31st January 2020, let us continue to take proper precautionary measures against COVID-19 such as hand disinfection, providing sufficient ventilation, with everyone wearing face masks for the time being.

 4：      For the moment, please refrain from “singing all together” and from “reciting the prayers all together” at Holy Mass and at gatherings. It is however possible to basically have an organist playing the hymns, a cantor singing alone using the microphone, or in case there is a wide space with proper ventilation, singing in a choir with a very limited number of members. Even during these cases, please keep a distance of about one meter from each other.

 5：      In the meantime, there will be no offertory procession at the Holy Mass. Also, for the time being, please receive Holy Communion by hand, and everyone must sanitize their hands immediately before reception. For those who would like to receive Holy Communion by mouth, in order to avoid infecting other people with the fingers of the priest during distribution, kindly consult the parish priest beforehand.

 6：      Except for the Holy Mass, all activities where people meet face-to-face such as meetings, assemblies, gatherings, study groups among others should as much as possible be conducted online. However, such activities may be allowed in the parish if the capacity of the venue (less than half the capacity), proper ventilation and the length of time (maximum of one hour and 30 minutes) is carefully considered. But please refrain from events that involve eating and drinking.

 7：      For the sacrament of reconciliation, please ensure proper ventilation of the room. Please take note that the notice released on 26th March 2020 regarding “The Message from the Apostolic Penitentiary on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and on Granting of Special Indulgence” is still valid.

 Note: For priests and extraordinary ministers distributing the sacred host, kindly make sure that hands are disinfected and a face mask is worn. The parish priest may ask some parishioners to serve as “extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion” should he find it necessary.

 Please wear a face mask regardless of whether you are fully vaccinated or not. Face shields are not a substitute for face masks. Even if you are using a face shield, please use also a face mask with it. Moreover, wearing non-woven masks is recommended.

  For detailed information, please see the official site of the Archdiocese of Tokyo from the link below.

https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/information/42872/

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A N N O U N C E M E N T ! 

September 13, 2021

Dear brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Tokyo:

RESPONSE OF THE TOKYO ARCHDIOCESE
FOR THE PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER 13 AND BEYOND

In the announcement issued on August 14, we have informed everyone that public masses will be suspended due to the declaration of a state of emergency in Metropolitan Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture which belong to the Archdiocese of Tokyo.

After the Archdiocese had made this announcement regarding the suspension of public masses until September 12, the government also declared the extension of the state of emergency up to September 12. At this point, although it may seem that the spread of COVID-19 infection is being controlled to some extent, we have also received information that the government is considering further extension of the emergency declaration.

As previously announced, the Archdiocese will make the decision on or before September 5 concerning the appropriate response for the period from September 13 and beyond. Therefore, we would like to inform you of the following decision.

 If the government lifts the declaration of the state of emergency as originally planned on September 12, the response of the Archdiocese starting from the next day, September 13, will be to shift to Stage 3 precautionary measures and public masses will be resumed while observing careful sanitary controls. Details on Stage 3 precautionary measures will be announced before September 12.

 However, if the government extends the emergency declaration, the current suspension of public masses will continue until the government declares the date of lifting the state of emergency.

 In either case, we will make the announcement of the specific details concerning the suitable response before September 12.

Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD
Archbishop of Tokyo

For detailed information, please see the official site of the Archdiocese of Tokyo from the link below.

https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/information/42789/

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 A N N O U N C E M E N T ! 

  August 14, 2021

SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC MASSES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TOKYO

Dear brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Tokyo:

RE: SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC MASSES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TOKYO

In connection with the continued nationwide efforts to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infections, Metropolitan Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture which belong to the Tokyo Archdiocese have been placed under a state of emergency until the 31st of August.

Despite the emergency declarations in the past, through the sincere cooperation of everyone in the precautionary measures and the progressing vaccination program especially among the elderly, the Archdiocese has made it possible to continue implementing the Stage 3 precautionary measures in order to allow participation as much as possible in the sacraments, and to celebrate together public masses, while giving authority to the parish priest to decide according to the local circumstances.

However, in the past few days, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has remained high. Moreover, the number of seriously ill persons in Tokyo has already exceeded 200. Thus, the government has further called upon everyone to refrain from going out and to limit the flow of people. In addition, it was reported that “the government’s Subcommittee on Novel Coronavirus Disease Control announced on the 12th (of August) that it would request intensive strengthening of measures for a limited period of two weeks until the 26th due to the explosive spread of infection.”

Although we have not received any reports of clusters originating from the church in the Archdiocese of Tokyo, we have been receiving more reports recently compared to before of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the Holy Mass or participating in other church activities.

Therefore, from August 16 (Monday), the Archdiocese of Tokyo will shift to Stage 4 precautionary measures and suspend public masses in the parishes.

Since the situation has been substantially changing, the period will be set to four (4) weeks from August 16 (Monday) to September 12 (Sunday), and the decision on whether to continue with this response will be announced on or before September 5 (Sunday). Regarding the Stage 4 precautionary measures considering the current situation, please take note of the attached reference.

Similar to last year, during the period that the public masses will be suspended, the Archbishop’s Sunday masses at 10:00 am will be live streamed using the Youtube account of Sekiguchi Church. In addition, the weekly message will continue to be delivered during this period via internet every Saturday at 18:00 under the title of “Weekly Archbishop.”

During these times of difficulties, let us put our trust in our Lord Jesus who promised us, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” and let us reaffirm our spiritual bond in the one body centered on the Lord. Let us continue to pray to our merciful Father that He may bring us out of this darkness as soon as possible. My heartfelt gratitude to you all, brothers and sisters, for your understanding and cooperation.

Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, SVD
Archbishop of Tokyo

<REFERENCE>

STAGE 4 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AS OF AUGUST 16, 2021

1: Public masses will be suspended. However, priests will continue to offer masses personally.

Masses in places such as in monasteries may continue to be offered if participation of people from outside are prohibited.

 2: All the faithful of the Tokyo Archdiocese are dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday masses.

 3: With the exception of essential meetings concerning parish management to the minimum, all activities in the parish should be either postponed to a later date or held online. Should there be a need to get together, please limit the number of participants to about 20 people, provide proper ventilation, and limit the length of time to about an hour.

 4: For funerals and for weddings that have already been scheduled, please carefully implement sufficient infection control measures. It is also possible that, after discussing with the bereaved family, they may proceed with cremation first and have the funeral mass at a later date.

 5: In administering the sacraments during an emergency situation, please proceed while complying with the Stage 3 precautionary measures.

 For detailed information, please see the official site of the Archdiocese of Tokyo from the link below.

 https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/information/42685/

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         HOLY WEEK / EASTER SERVICES, 2021

                       HOLY WEEK SERVICES　

                          EASTER SERVICES

　～ N O T I F I C A T I O N ～

             (From the  Archdiocese of Tokyo, January 7, 2021)

 Re: ADVISORY AFTER THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT’S RE-DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

 For detailed information, please see the official site of the Archdiocese of Tokyo from the link below.

     https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/information/41098/

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2020 CHRISTMAS DAY, EVE and 2021 NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS SCHEDULES

Catholic Toshima Church (St. Patrick’s Church)

～ N O T I F I C A T I O N ～

On June 10th, the Archdiocese of Tokyo issued a guideline that “the church activities will be resumed in stages from June 21st.”
In response to this, Toshima Church will resume the public masses on the same day after taking measures against infectious diseases.

〇 【Resume of Masses】
　　Sunday Masses will begin on June 21st (Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time).

      In addition, weekday masses will start from Monday, June 22.

〇  [Mass time]
     No time changes : 7:00 AM・9:30 AM (Japanese)・12:00 Noon (English) Weekdays 7:30 AM (Japanese)

〇 Masses will be held in the main church so please keep the following guidelines.

   *Before you enter the church, wear a mask and disinfect your hands with alcohol before entering.

   *Since there is a space between seats inside the church, please check the label on the display before you sit down.

〇  [About the use of the Church Hall]

     Church Hall is still closed. In line with parish church activity guidelines, we plan to resume the use of church facilities at the next stage.

▲ Please click on the link below to view the page regarding the Archbishop Kikuchi’s message released on June 10, 2020.  

 https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/

☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆

        　　　　    ～ N O T I F I C A T I O N ～

As of May 25th, the declaration of State of Emergency has been lifted in all prefectures. However, the situation is still unstable and that there could be several waves of outbreak in the future. Archbishop Kikuchi’s message released today.  Please click on the link below for more information.

 https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/

Talking about the future, we will inform you on the website and on the weekly newsletter about the implementation method as Toshima Church when we receive the instruction from the Archbishop to resume church activities.

N O T I F I C A T I O N

～　A Response against the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 infections after April 12　～

Please understand that it is indispensable that each and every one of us should take preventive measures to lower the risk of the novel coronavirus infections

＊As a response after April 12

✿ The following events and activities are canceled or postponed due to Covid-19 outbreak:

▲ Toshima church is closed for public in hopes of curbing the coronavirus outbreak.

▲ Weekly cleaning of the church’s public areas is canceled.

▲ Church Hall is closed for public

▲ Daily Reception office is closed

▲ May 31, Family Day is potponed

The announcement will be in effect until the end of Golden Week on May 6th. We will inform any updates after Golden Week.

                                                         カトリック豊島教会　2020. 4.12

☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆

The Archdiocese of Tokyo has canceled all public Masses and liturgies through Holy Week and Easter in response to the coronavirus outbreak

Along with this, the Toshima Church cancels public masses until April 11.

Holy Week liturgies that normally take place such us Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are canceled.

This follows last week’s announcement when the archdiocese suspended mass from March 15 ～ 29 at all of its churches.

Please click the link below to view the page regarding the Archbishops’ Message about Holy Week and Easter   

https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english

▲ NOTIFICATION of EASTER EVENTS ▲

The following events related to Easter will be canceled to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection.  

・ Easter egg making  

・ Easter party

The schedule is subject to change depending on the future situation.

The following publications for March are available at the church.
 
・ Mass Liturgy (Japanese and English)
 
・ Diocesan News
 
・ Monthly Church newspaper

・ Weekly report
 
Please bring those who come to the church.

▲ Notification of suspension of Catholic Toshima Church Mass and events to prevent from COVID-19 infection has been extended

We have been notified from Archbishop Kikuchi of the Archdiocese of Tokyo “Precautionary Measures Concerning COVID-19 from 15th March and Beyond.” In response to this notification, we have extended the suspension period of the mass and various activities at Catholic Toshima Church until March 29th.

We will keep you informed if there is any progress.
 
We pray that those who are suffering and already been infected by the COVID-19 will recover as soon as possible, and those who have died may God grant eternal rest and peace.

 ● No Sunday masses and morning masses on weekdays from

    March 15 ～ 29, 2020

 ● The Way of the Cross and group gatherings at the church hall

    are cancelled

☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆

▲ Notification from the Archdiocese of Tokyo regarding the Precautionary Measures Concerning COVID-19 from 15th March and Beyond

     Please click the link below to view the page

 https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/information/37216/

☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆　☆

        HOLY WEEK / EASTER SERVICES, 2020

                             HOLY WEEK SERVICES　

                           EASTER SERVICES

Suspension of Public Masses due to the Spread of COVID-19

Click the link below for announcements from the Archdiocese of Tokyo

https://tokyo.catholic.jp/english/

                                   ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

  Cancellation of masses from February 27 to March 14, 2020

On February 25, the Tokyo Archdiocese officially announced that the mass from February 27 to March 14 should be canceled to reduce the increase in the number of new coronavirus infections (COVID-19).

 Along with this, the Toshima Church will also cancel mass during the same period.

The following masses will be canceled.

・ Sunday Masses: March 1, March 8 (Japanese 7: 00 AM, 9:30 AM

                                                      English  12: 00 Noon)

・ Weekday Masses:  February 27 ～ March 14  (Japanese 7:30 AM)

 Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

Catechism class for children above 4 years from 11:00AM. We will learn about Jesus Christ and learn how to pray. Summer Camp, Christmas, New Year celebration and much more fun for the children

Christmas, New year, International, Bazaar events

Photo Gallery

We have very good english choir in our church, People of different nationalities singing in the church, choir practice is conducted, please join us to sing and praise Lord Jesus. During International Mass, songs from different countries are sang

For Baptism, Holy communion, Confirmation, Sunday school, Thanks giving mass, etc, Please contact or write to Fr. John Joseph : j-puthen@sophia.ac.jp

Present Priest: Fr.John Joseph Puthenkalam S.J is a Jesuit from Sophia University (上智大学), Tokyo. He was born in Kerala,India. He first came to Japan in 1986. He is a Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Graduate Division of Global Environment Studies. As a member of the faculty he is quite involved with the regular and extra curriculur activities like MEGUKO. We are very proud to have him in our parish. For further details please check his homepage

Father Takahiro Tanaka was born in Nerima-ku, Tokyo in January 4, 1953. He was ordained Priest in February 2, 1982. On the same year, he was assigned in Machida Church as a co-pastor and then worked at the office of the Tokyo Diocese in 1986. After this, he worked for many years as the parish priest in Akitsu, Koenji, Kodaira, Kanda Churches in Tokyo. He is currently the parish priest at Toshima, St. Patrick’s church

2019 March 31