Franciscan Chapel Center - A Roman Catholic Church

Franciscan Mission Day — February 6 & 7
A Second Collection will be taken at all Masses this weekend to help our Franciscan Missionaries of the Japanese Province working in foreign lands. Please give your Franciscan envelopes in the Second Collection basket. Your prayers and support enable our missionaries afar to cry out the Divine message, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mk 15:15) Because of your generosity, we are able to serve the poor and needy in the mission lands.

Women’s Network News
Monthly Coffee Meeting
Three Boys and a Camel: A Family Vacation in the Mid-East
Wednesday, February 10, 10 am
Pyramids—Camel Rides---Frankincense & Myrrh!
We’re not in Kansas anymore!
Junko Butovitsch shares her exotic family vacation.

UPCOMING TOUR
Meet at Roppongi police box.
Children welcome. RSVP francesmoyer@hotmail.com

JAPAN GRAND PRIX INTERNATIONAL
ORCHID FESTIVAL 2010
Be dazzled by 100,000 orchids of 3000 varieties from 20 countries. Delight in colors both bold and subtle and the delicate, graceful forms, as well as creative arrangements. ¥2000 entrance fee.
Meet Thursday, February 18 at 9:30 am RSVP

PG– 13 Adult Religious Education
Stories can do a better job than theology in helping us describe issues of faith. Perhaps that is the reason we remember the Gospels better than Paul’s epistles. The novel The Shack by Wm. Paul Young was recommended by a former PG-13 participant who now lives in the U.S. The next PG- 13 Religious Education Program for Adults and Mature Teens will use the novel as a tool for examining our ideas of God, faith, forgiveness, evil, death and eternal life. We will meet on Monday, Feb. 15, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in the Church Hall. A list of PG-13 books and topics is available at the reception desk.

Sons and Daughters Encounter (SADE)
In conjunction with a spiritual preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, there is planned a “Sons And Daughters Encounter” (SADE for short) to be held at the Franciscan Chapel Center from Thursday 7:00 pm February 24 until Saturday 5:00 pm February 26. In addition to those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is open to all teen-agers and young adults. To register, contact Father Donnon at donfires@hotmail.com

General information for those interested...
SADE is one of 23 different programs originated by Fr. Gabriel Calvo, the founder of Marriage Encounter, all having as their ultimate goal developing Families in the Lord. Through the aid of teams sharing their own experiences with regard to various themes, and subsequent sharing in small groups, the participants consider the imperative questions of who they are as persons, as members of a family, as sons and daughters of God, and as founders of a future family. It is open to teen-agers and young adults. This program, which exists in a number of countries throughout the world, has profoundly influenced those who have experienced it. Even after decades many have stated that it was an experience that they will never forget, and one that had changed their lives. These very people would agree that it would have been a tragic loss if they had not taken the opportunity to go through this experience. It could well be said of this program: “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by”! (Luke 18:37)

The Chapel Center will be hosting a
family event on Saturday, April 24. We will also be having a raffle and the winning raffle tickets will be drawn at this event. If you are interested in donating prizes for the raffle or know of other potential donors, please contact Margaret Baxter mbaxter@gol.com with that information.

2010 Spring Omega

Challenging Lifestyles: Matthew 5:1-12
Blessed are...
...the poor in spirit.
...those who mourn.
…the meek.
...those who hunger and thirst.
...the merciful.
...the pure in heart.
...the peacemakers.
...the persecuted.

Omega is a weekly meeting of adults who are committeed to the Christian faith, and want to deepen that faith through fellowship with other mature Christians.

When: Thursdays 7:00-9:30 starting on February 4th
Where: The FCC basement
Topic: How can Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5:1-12) challenge us in our modern daily lives?
What to bring: Just yourself! Dinner will be provided the first two weeks.

Sign up at the FCC front desk, or email fccomega@gmail.com.

Fr. Jose Gloria: Temporarily at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Hebbronville, Texas, he is about to begin a sabbatical leave (the first in 50 years of priesthood), with plans to visit Cuba and Siena, Italy before entering a renewal course in Petropolis, Brazil. Last fall, after almost six years at FCC, Fr. Jose felt that his mission in Tokyo had been completed, and he decided to return to his province. At his request, there were no notices or farewells. He misses FCC and sends his warm regards. Thank you for everything, Fr. Jose!

Fr. Russell Becker: In order to direct two retreats for Franciscan friars, he left for the United States on Jan. 11, due to return to Tokyo on Feb. 13. Fr. Russell has spent several periods with us over the past three years, using his talents to improve our liturgy and other areas of the parish. He hopes to join us permanently as pastor, and we hope the same, but a few obstacles need to be overcome first. Please keep that intention in your prayers.

FCC Religious Education Calendar 2009-2010