JUSTICE AND PEACE ACTIVITIES JAPAN PROVINCE. Introduction “ Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd is the true model whom we must endeavor to imitate, in order.

JUSTICE AND PEACEACTIVITIES

JAPAN PROVINCE

Introduction

“ Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd is the true model whom we must endeavor to imitate, in order to acquire perfection of our holy state…”

- St. Mary Euphrasia, Conference 6

Introduction

We, the Good Shepherd Sisters in Japan Province strive to do our best in “feeding the sheep”

individually and as a community in the midst of a difficult national situation.

Confronted by our own inability and anxieties, we

move on…

Introduction

Believing deep in our hearts that our Shepherd God is with us, together

with the “flock”, we endure the “rocks

and sand” as we struggle to reach the “green

meadows”…

Conditions Affecting the Flock

Conditions Affecting the Flock

* The economic crisis has affected many people in Japan,

especially the foreigners. Many Filipinos have more

than one job, sometimes working day and night to

make both ends meet. Those who have permanent jobs were

given shorter working hours and heavier workload…

Conditions Affecting the Flock

* Unemployment is a cause of conflict in many families

* Japanese nationals are given priority when there is job opening

* A requirement for the extension of residence visa of foreigners is a stable job.

Conditions Affecting the Flock

* Difficulty in finding work has forced many

undocumented foreigners to voluntarily surrender to the immigration authorities and

were deported

* Fake marriage as a way of getting visa is common for

foreigners

Conditions Affecting the Flock

* Children of Filipinas in their previous relationships who are now in Japan become victims of abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, economic and emotional) from their adopting Japanese fathers

Conditions Affecting the Flock

* Case of domestic violence, especially

among bicultural families are slowly

coming out in the open

Conditions Affecting the Flock

* Many wives, especially foreign wives suffer from stress due to family problems and some of them were clinical cases

* Many Japanese-Filipino children are in vulnerable and disadvantaged situations

Shepherding Activities

Shepherding Activities

* Contextualized Lenten/Advent recollecions

and reflections------------------

* During Prayer meetings done in the houses and even in workplaces like bars, the

situation and problem of foreigners are shared to the

group and discussed

Shepherding Activities

* Leadership trainings and counseling seminars are

being given to foreigners to empower them to handle

cases and make referrals if necessary

---------------------------* International Migrants’ Day was integrated in the

masses last December

Shepherding Activities

* International Women’s Day was held last March to make both women and men aware of the situation all over the world, and to make a commitment to uphold the women…

Shepherding Activities

* The Filipino Community in one parish, with the

help of the Sisters, sponsored a consular

service which invited the staff of the Philippine

Embassy, and was able to serve 250 Filipinos

including the undocumented ones…

Shepherding Activities

* The Filipino Community in two parishes, with the

help of the Sisters, sponsored a fund-raising

activity for the abandoned Japanese-Filipino children in the Philippines, and to make both Japanese and Filipinos aware of the

situation of these children

Shepherding Activities

* Information-relay on job opening

Shepherding Activities* Both Japanese and Filipino parishioners of the different

parishes in Nagano prefecture, and the students of a Catholic

school (Handmaids of the Sacred Heart – ACI) donated big boxes of used clothes and were sent to the victims of the violent conflicts in Mindanao, and victims of natural calamities in some parts of the

Philippines

Shepherding Activities

* Women orientation and justice issues were integrated

in the Bible sharing of different groups

* Counseling and rescue are being done with a team – both

Japanese and Filipinas, and it’s always a learning and

faith experience for all of us

Exploring “Green Pastures”

Exploring Green Pastures

* More meaningful activities for Japanese-Filipino children

* Income generating projects for the foreign mothers

* Update on current issues affecting their situation

Exploring Green Pastures

* On-going information to be more effective “shepherds”

and “shepherdesses”

* Building compassionate and caring communities centered on Jesus, the Good Shepherd