User talk:Rommel008

Dear Parishoners,

I am a new member to this page and just wanted to share that I liked the sermon Fr. Oscar delivered last Sunday (Sept 27). It was shorter than usual, much more direct and gave us more time for reflection.

In his message, I remember him asking that church doors be open to anyone who wants to visit, see, connect somehow with God or the faith in general. Apparently, some people who traveled from Osaka were barred from coming in for reasons of red tape. There was also a mention of a family being rejected their request of having a wake at the church location. This is a great disappointment to say the least. The Church should not turn away anyone who comes for help. I am reminded again of my image of the Pharisees of old who talked a good game but just essentially practiced elitism.

When I arrived to Japan five months ago, I took solace in the arms of the Yamate Catholic Church being alone (at that time) and new to Yokohama. It felt good seeing the congregation and their welcoming smiles. I felt that I found a community where I could belong. I continue to go every Sunday morning (now) with my family to stay connected and be guided by the Church's teachings. I was again disappointed when my efforts of letting the extremely dangerous situation in Manila (which was still at its peak during the time of the mass last Sunday) fell seemingly on deaf ears. For all the announcements that we hear just before the final blessing, I could not fathom why this catastrophe which has claimed 246 lives (officially as of this writing) was not shared with the predominantly Filipino parishgoers. Not that it was an exclusive piece of news appropriate only to Filipinos...it is news for everyone and anyone who cares for other people. The major news wires eventually picked up on it and have made people aware. I imagine that this coming Sunday's mass will devote some portion to talk about this. My point is that this message could have been shared last Sunday so that any acts of charity could reach the needee sooner rather than later. Millions of people have been displaced and have literally only got the shirts on their backs left at the aftermath. We who live in a community so protected by peace and order, we who generally live economically progressive lives than those in Manila could have had a quicker reaction time..had we known about it sooner.

It pains me as a Catholic..as a human being..that that lips are kept tight in deference to order and protocol when lives are destroyed.

It was not a good Sunday on many levels.

I don't know how to get the four tildes on this but trust that I am signing this post under my true name.

Sincerely,

Rommel G. Roque Yokohama City