By Colleen Kammer, JPIC director, AMSSND & Shalom North America Branch Representative
I was fortunate to spend four days with our sisters in Kyoto, Japan, en route to the Shalom International Meeting in Guam, July 22-27. There are 47 Sisters and 15 Associates in the country.
Generously, the Sisters introduced me to the Japanese culture and to their delicious food. We visited some Japanese heritage sites and participated in a green tea ceremony. One of the highlights was the Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto, an ancient Shinto festival whose original purpose was to purify the city from disease and to appease the gods who brought illnesses upon the people.
What struck me about the Japanese people is the politeness and respect that they have for one another, even in crowded transportation and cultural venues. It was a pleasure to experience this peacefulness.
I stayed with the Imakaido-cho Community. Many of the Sisters were teachers at Kyoto Notre Dame University or elsewhere. Learning about their lifelong service, one realizes the great influence the Sisters have had in Japan and continue to have.
Now mostly retired, our Sisters' present ministries include leading Bible study, teaching music, doing Shalom work with Guam in the Asia/Oceania branch, visiting the sick, caring for the elderly, and accompanying immigrants.
This was my first visit to Asia. It was not only an enriching experience but important to informing my SSND Shalom work.
My message to the SSNDs of Japan, "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much)!
Pictured seated (l to r): Colleen Kammer, Sister Judith Kamada, Father Tsuyama, S. Cecilia Kawamura, S. Beatrice Tanaka.
Picture standing (l to r): Sisters Maureen Wada, Bernard Iwai, Gloria Hirai, Celine Matsumoto, Ruth Mori, Maria Saito, Christine Hata.
Photo by S. Johanne Maria Kokubun
