Are we willing to be sent forth at any time or place to witness to our faith in God the merciful Father, to proclaim the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, to share the divine life of the Holy Spirit by building up the Church? Are we, like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, ready to be completely at the service of God’s will (cf. Lk 1:38)? This interior openness is essential if we are to say to God: “Here am I, Lord, send me” (cf. Is 6:8).”
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Mission Day
The CFC Migrants Program mission team led by MP Program Head Jess Ferrer and spouse Mercy, arrived in Tokyo on Oct 11, 2019 just before the Japanese gov’t. grounded all train services in anticipation of the landfall of typhoon Hagibis. Mon & Gitte Pagdagdagan, Frankie & Cielo Naranjilla, along with CFC MP Spiritual Adviser and Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant Peoples (CBCP ECMI), Rev. Fr. Resty Ogsimer, completed the mission team. The mission plan was to conduct a Retooling and Updating Session for CFC members on Oct 12 and the Financial Growth, Abundance & Stewardship (FGAS) for the members of CFC and GFGC or Gathering of Filipino Groups and Communities under the Catholic Tokyo International Center (CTIC) on Oct. 19.
The team had to postpone the Retooling and Updating Session until train services return to its normal operations. On Oct. 12 while the fierce and howling wind was blowing and rains started pouring, the team convened at 3pm in one of their hotel room, prayed the Holy Rosary and proceeded to a Household Prayer Meeting with personal reflection and sharing. The hotel room started to shake because of a magnitude 5.5 earthquake. By 6pm the team celebrated the Lord’s Day during which they felt the very strong wind that hit the hotel room’s window. The mission team remained steadfast and were all inspired by the teaching of Fr. Resty. By the time they concluded the prayer session at 11:00, it was all quiet. Truly, fear has no place if one focuses on Godly matters!
The MP Retooling and Updating session was rescheduled for Oct. 14, Monday, which was the National Sports Day of Japan, a public holiday. The session was attended by CFC members from Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba and other neighboring areas. Fr. Resty explained the current Migration landscape and expounded on the prized partnership between CFC MP and the CBCP ECMI. The mission team took turns in conducting the Facilitators Training. After the session, Mon & Gitte had to cut short their mission trip after news of the demise of Gitte’s mother was received.
It is expected that Japan will open its doors to 350,000 foreign workers to address their labor shortage. In anticipation of the influx of the foreign workers, CFC Japan, in partnership with the MP Program is preparing to serve the needs of the Migrants regardless of nationality.
The team remained steadfast. On Oct 19, Saturday, the FGAS module was conducted for the members of GFGC. CFC members from Tokyo and neighboring areas also attended the session. The FGAS is a scripture based Financial Literacy Program that teaches savings, budgeting, control of indiscriminate spending, among others. The FGAS was well received, with the participants’ commitment to change their spending habits and elaborate lifestyles. Many clamored for more learning sessions.
It is expected that Japan will open its doors to 350,000 foreign workers to address their labor shortage. In anticipation of the influx of the foreign workers, CFC Japan, in partnership with the MP Program is preparing to serve the needs of the Migrants regardless of nationality.
