A Report: 32nd JASH Day （2018）

The annual JASH Day held every year in March, took place this year (2018) on Friday, March 16.  It was held in Miyashiro Hall at the University of the Sacred Heart, and was attended by 170 JASH members including 10 RSCJs.

The program this year was twofold, with a detailed firsthand Report of the XVI AMASC World Congress held at the end of February in Merida, Mexico, and a Presentation by the members of JASH Study Group who had spent two and a half years studying the Theme of the Mandate “Sophie’s Legacy, a Gift for the World”. The young members of AMASC Tokyo Congress Commemorative Fund Committee also made a short presentation on the Theme as heirs to the committee whose chief aim for thirty years had been to awaken the future generation of JASH members to the internationality of the Sacred Heart world.

Lastly, the Officers who had served their term and the incoming new Officers were introduced, and change of leadership was announced. The afternoon ended as the new President addressed the gathered JASH members.

 

Opening Prayer

JASH Board Member
Sr. Reiko Tanaka rscj 

 

Opening Address

JASH Honorary President  &  Provincial of Japan Province
Sr. Mieko Shinjo rscj 

［Excerpt］
   This year 2018, we hope to turn our thoughts to the second Saint of the Society, Saint Philippine Duchesne. Saint Philippine is one of the first members who together with the Foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie laid the foundation of the Society, but she had a fervent desire to go on a mission to the New World. At every occasion she asked to be sent, and in 1818 she was finally rewarded. As a result of this decision, the Society of the Sacred Heart extended its borders, and spread from Europe to the whole world.～～200 years have passed since, and many celebrations are been planned all over the world.
   Last November, Sr. Barbara Dawson, Superior General wrote a letter and called on the Sacred Heart Family with two suggestions。One, to make this year a Year of Prayer、and two, to deepen our commitment to JPIC(Justice, Peace ,Integrity of Creation). Let us respond to this call from the Superior General, and spend this year, our hearts united with the members of the Sacred Heart Family.

 

President’s Report

Yoko Nakayama

［Excerpt］
   There were two AMASC Congresses during my term as JASH President. Already in 2014, the decrease in membership was felt to be a big factor in weakening the fabric of many of the Associations. In 2018, it became the reason for the European group’s inability to present the necessary number of candidates to form the presidential team. The European group asked for a temporary derogation of the statutes, and after deliberation, it was approved unanimously by the national presidents. A new General Assembly (National Presidents Meeting) will be convened later in the year, and the Board including the Presidency will be voted in.
   Within JASH, two major changes took place.  1) Decision was reached by AMASC Tokyo Congress Commemorative Fund Committee formed in 1986, to close and make way for the younger generation. The young members of the Committee have pledged to follow in their footsteps, inherit the spirit of internationalism, and foster among the new generation an interest in the activities of JASH and AMASC.  2) Following the final decision by the Sacred Heart Professional Training College with a history of 70 years in courses in English and Childcare, the Alumnae Association Sanko–kai suddenly found itself without an alma mater. But Sanko-kai Alumnae numbering over 4000 members will remain active within the framework of JASH, which unifies all the alumnae associations in Japan.
   The most wonderful news for JASH was the kind offer from Sister Yoshiko Okazaki, President of the University of the Sacred Heart, to use a very large room in the main building as JASH Office, as well as three small rooms for the Archives Committee to store their treasures. This wonderful opportunity freed JASH from years of insecurity. and has given us the  possibility to work more closely with the Board and the Committees.
   As my term of JASH President draws to its end, I am happy to be able to introduce to you my successor Naoko Murakami (Sacred Heart S. Tokyo ‘74, Sacred Heart U. ‘78).who has long been an active member of the local Alumnae Associations. Together with the rejuvenated group of officers, I am convinced that she will be able to reach out to the new generation of Alumnae. May I ask all JASH members gathered here today, for their continued support and interest in the activities of JASH.

 

Report of the XVI AMASC World Congress

JASH Vice-President
Setsuko Harashina
Shizuko Ozawa

For Report of AMASC Merida Congress, please click here.

 

Report of JASH Study Group (2015-2018)

Study Group Head　
Kyoko Arai

   JASH study for Merida AMASC congress was launched in October, 2015, to pursue the theme: ‘Sophie’s legacy—Gift to the world.’ It was indeed a privilege for us to be given the opportunity of retracing the wisdom and footsteps of our foundress, St. Madeleine Sophie. In February, 2017, AMASC asked us to discuss in depth the calls from the General Chapter. The four calls are as follows:

Live more humanely
Reach new frontiers
Create spaces for silence
Be and act as one body

   The three study sub-groups in Tokyo, and one in Kansai area, had previously chosen a sub-theme and could immediately relate to the call. The group translating Sophie’s wisdom into Japanese and making a calendar chose ‘Create spaces for silence’. “Create a desert and silence in your soul. The Lord is near; listen to God’s voice”. The group exploring Sophie’s travels in the turmoil of 19th century France was inspired by the call ‘to reach new frontiers’. This year marks the 200th year of St. Philippine Duchesne crossing the Atlantic. We are invited to follow her footsteps by leaving our comfort zone and making transformation. The group conducting a research of the graduates embodying the spirit of Sophie learned from their examples what it meant ‘to live more humanely’. The fourth group in Kansai area, away from Tokyo, valued the importance of unity by ’acting as one body’, bearing the motto “In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, One Heart, One Mind” as the basis of their activities.

   The alumnae of the Sacred Heart schools should continue to bear in mind and practice the four calls in our daily lives. Thus we can bear witness to the legacy of St. Madeleine Sophie and pass it on to the future generation.

 

①Study-subgroup 1
“Sophie’s Words”
Group Leader -Kumiko Mitomi

The decision was reached to translate into Japanese, the “Day at a glance Calendar – The Wisdom of Madeleine Sophie Barat” edited by two RSCJs and published by the US/Canada Province. Aiming for a Correct, Clear, easy to Comprehend  translation, fourteen members worked tirelessly for a whole year, spending several months on proofreading. In January 2018, a limited edition of 500 copies became available, just in time for the 32^nd JASH Day.

 

 

②Study-subgroup 3
“Sacred Heart Education and 0urselves ～ Inheritors of the Spirit～”
Group Leader – Reiko Abe

Looking into the activities of graduates of Sacred Heart Schools, we were able to introduce several of them using the PP. From among them we decided to organize a Documentary Film Screening Event on the activities of Tomoko Shoho. We were also able to ask her to come and give us a talk following the Film Screening, and were strongly impressed by her ability to empathize with and to act for the “other person”, which is the Spirit that answers the Call to live more humanely.

 

 

③Study-Kansai branch
Vice President (Obayashi Mikokoro-kai) – Kikuko Ikeuchi

The Study Group in Kansai had been inactive for a few years, but was able to resume its activities two years ago. We have had 2 lectures on “Sophie’s Legacy “and 11 discussion sessions. We hope to make our Study Group Meetings, a place for all Sacred Heart Alumnae residing in Kansai Area to gather, to share our common heritage and to act in a positive way to contribute to the world.

 

④Study-subgroup 2
Group Leader －Akiko Karasawa

Using the PP, we traced on the map the many travels made by Mother Barat in her lifetime. Due to the social turmoil in post- revolutionary France, she encountered many difficulties, but through this research we realized that it was her unwavering trust in God, and her ability to put into action her beliefs, that made possible the incredible expansion of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

 

 

Young Members of AMASC Tokyo Congress Commemorative Fund Committee

Committee Member – Kumiko Shimizu

［Excerpt］
   The young members of the AMASC Tokyo Congress Commemorative Fund Committee, held study sessions based on the readings from a book published by JASH in 2010 – KIZUNA (The Forty-five years of the History of JASH). Ever since the arrival of the religious in Japan a century ago, and thanks to those who inherited their spiritual and educational aspirations, the Sacred Heart Society’s education has come down to us. There are many cases where we sense our bond with our foundress, Madeleine Sophie. Thus at this session we resolved that it is now our duty to pass on this spirit to the next generation. Two centuries ago, Madeleine Sophie opened her doors from which light were sent forth to spread the spirit of the Sacred Heart. The light having stood the test of times, still continue to shine on us. Indeed, we believe that we ourselves are in fact Madeleine Sophie’s “living” legacy. In order to carry out our duty of passing on this spirit of the Sacred Heart to the next generation, we must be the leaders to keep the Sacred Heart spirit alive.

 

Report of “Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne 200years in America” Committee

Sr. Hiroko Okui

［Excerpt］
   This year 2018 is 200 years since the second Saint of the Society of the Sacred Heart Rose Philippine Duchesne left France to go to the New World. All over the world, in the houses of the Sacred Heart, preparations are being made for the Members and Family to celebrate together.
Japan Province has called on the Alumnae and the Sacred Heart Schools to join forces in the preparations, and to this end last September, Sister Provincial Shinjo named four members (Yasuko Ito from Mikokoro- kai, Tomoko Hoji from Miyashiro-kai, Sister Hiroko Okui and Sister Chigusa Hayashi) to form a Preparatory Committee.
   In order to have more people know about Philippine, we are taking every opportunity to talk about her and introduce her. On November 18th of this year, we are hoping to celebrate with Mass in Commemoration of the Bicentennial, a Lecture and a Tea Party. Already JASH has been posting on the Website the reflections sent by the Bicentennial Committee of the US/Canada Province. Some of them have been translated into Japanese by volunteers. Please take an occasional look when you have a little time.
   September 15th of this year has been designated as the “Global Day of Service.” All the Associations will be called upon to offer their activities to the intention of Philippine on that day.
   During her whole life, rooted in persistent prayer and courageous action, Philippine searched for the will of God. Because she left France and boarded the Rebecca to go to the frontiers of the New World overcoming many difficulties, the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart opened up to the world. Wanting to learn from her spirit. we have chosen as our motto:
“Let us overcome　　with passion and courage”

 

 

Introduction of the Officers who have served their term
Introduction of the Officers 2018

 

 

Greetings from the new JASH President

Naoko Murakami

［Excerpt］
   It is indeed a great honor to be asked to take over the duties which such illustrious past presidents have undertaken. My lack of ability and experience tells me that I shall be out of my depth. However having been brought up with the teachings of the Foundress which said “The children of the Sacred Heart are one family” if by fulfilling this role of President of JASH, I am able to be a link between the Society of the Sacred Heart, the local alumnae associations, and JASH which is directly linked to the World Alumnae Association, I may be able to repay a little of what I owe to my alma mater. For this reason I have decided to accept this offer.
   Though my ability is limited, with the help of the Officers who will be working with me, I would like to do my utmost for four years, to reach out to the younger members, and be the bridge between generations.

 

Tea Party   Mini Bazaar

As a new trial, the tea was served after the General Meeting in the Miyashiro Hall Lobby. Tables were beautifully set in the center of the lobby, and while there was lively conversation among participants of JASH Day around the tea-tables, business thrived at the one table shops of the Mini bazaar. 

 

   With JASH Day, all JASH activities for the year 2018 came to an end. From April, a new year will start with President Naoko Murakami at the helm.  Your continued support and cooperation will be much appreciated.

Thank you!