JUSTICE AND PEACE ACTIVITIES 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

* 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

* 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