Pinay helps build church in Japan in time for Christmas

Thanks to hard work put in by a former Filipina “rural bride," Filipino Catholics in a remote area in Northern Japan now have a church to call their own to celebrate Christmas in this year. Before the new Shinjo Church in Shinjo City was dedicated last October, Filipinos in the area had no place to worship, as the previous church there had to be closed down 57 years ago due to the lack of parishioners. “I think it was fate that brought me to Japan. God was telling me to build a church. I had thought it might be impossible, but many people offered their help," former Juliet Chonan said in an article posted on the Union of Catholic Asian News. At present, there are many Filipino women and their children who moved there and now form the bulk of the new church’s congregation. The Shinjo Church was dedicated last Oct. 28. It was established in a former private kindergarten in Shinjo City, a famous snow-covered city in Yamagata Prefecture, 350 km north of Tokyo. Rural bride, church builder Chonan arrived in Shinjo City from the Philippines 22 years ago. Becoming a local leader since then, she worked hard for the construction of the new church. The ninth of 10 children, she says she always prays that God grant her good health so that she can perform good works. Now, she interprets the events of her life as leading her to building the church. Chonan went to Japan in response to an advertisement by Shinjo City for “rural brides" moving to the Japanese countryside to marry local men. When she first arrived there, she met other Filipina “rural brides" and some elderly Japanese Catholics, but was dismayed to find no church in the area. Back then in 1987, the Shinjo City government had asked the Sakata Church, some 40 kilometers northwest of the city, to celebrate Mass for Filipina “rural brides." Some Filipinas have unfortunately been met with resistance in this traditional agricultural society, and are not allowed even to cook or care for children. But at present, Juliet teaches about 20 students at an English school she runs. She also has three children in junior high and high school. Moreover, Juliet’s husband and parents-in-law, all non-Christians, respect her way of life and choice of religion. “My husband even mows the church’s lawn!" she said. – With MRT/JV, GMANews.TV