Multicultural Gathering and Claretian Assembly Highlight Mass at Hirakata Parish

(L-R) Altar server, Fr. Arturo (Chilean based in Taiwan), Fr. Alberto (Argentinian based in Hong Kong), Fr. Julio (Mexican based in Japan), Fr. Ian (Macau), Fr. John, and Deacon Joseph

HIRAKATA, JAPAN — August 3, 2026 — Hirakata Parish hosted a diverse congregation for its 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, welcoming concelebrants from across East Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan) alongside local Japanese, Latin American, Filipino, and Chinese parishioners.

The liturgy also brought together Claretian missionaries arriving from a retreat in Fukuoka ahead of their provincial economy meeting. In his homily on discipleship, Fr. Rossa, CMF, highlighted three core themes:

• Compassion: Cultivating Christ’s empathetic heart.

• Total Offering: Surrendering all resources completely to God.

• Abundance: Trusting in God’s overflowing providence.

Before the final blessing, Fr. Julio, the coordinator for Japan, invited visiting priests to address the assembly in Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino, translating their messages into Japanese. The celebration showcased the parish's rich diversity and the Claretians' shared mission.