>>> Report of the Memorial Mass and Annual gathering - Sept. 23, 2005 by George Koyama (1969) As I sit back and relax with my favorite drink (coffee, that is), I think about the wonderful day, September 23, 2005, that is about to go by, but certainly another day that will be stored in my heart, now overflowing with fond St. Joe's memories galore. We couldn't have asked for a better day to pay homage to our respectful seniors and teachers who are in heaven and to offer our prayers at the Foreign Cemetery before the statue of Our Lady of Faith and Fortitude. It was hot, muggy and wet yesterday. Tomorrow seems to be worse with the forecast typhoon weather. I couldn't help but believe that we were blessed with the best weather by Our Lord for what we had planned on our agenda. Jimmy and I took the bus to Motomachi, just as we did everyday as a child, attending St. Joe's. Never was the ascent through the staircase beside Ferris to Sacred Heart Cathedral so grueling as it was today! It was before 09:00 when we arrived at the Cathedral, but sure enough, we were greeted by Cecil, who was already busying himself to ensure that the Memorial Mass would proceed as we had planned it for our deceased seniors and teachers. And indeed, it did. Fr. Iino led the 29 of us solemnly through our prayers for 40-minutes, at the end of which a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction filled my heart as it undoubtedly did the attendees'. And how nostalgic the walk was from Sacred Heart Cathedral to our former high school entrance, now converted to a small park bearing traces of our Alma Mater! I noticed that it was the first time for some of our participating schoolmates to view the memorial plaque, Bro. Gaschy's bronze plaque and the iron remains of the auditorium chair. I cannot forget to mention the SAKURA tree which still stands where it stood during our school days. The group continued its nostalgic walk to the Foreign Cemetery through a path, sights of which were once so mundane to us but which certainly brought us back to those good ol' days at St. Joe's. I'm sure Our Lady and the Brothers welcomed our prayers at the Foreign Cemetery while, at the same time, extending their open invitation to those who couldn't attend the event. President Boon was kind enough to pick up the food and beverages for all of us at Muteki-ro - sound familiar ? And he was a bit late because of the heavy traffic during the Motomachi Charming Sale - also familiar, isn't it ? While I take my last sip of coffee, I am most grateful to our beloved senpai and families for joining us in this event. Very special thanks goes to Luke Schneider for incepting the idea of a Memorial Mass which will be continued annually; to Cecil Baclay, Hans Enderle, Francis DeBritto and Henry Akashi for the prayers during the mass; to John Komor for the hospitality and arrangements at the Foreign Cemetery. Last, but certainly not the least, I'm indebted to my fellow officers and coops for the success of this event. I wish you could all come and join us in this annual event and spend some time with us to live in our pleasant past. On the Stairways to Sacred Heart Cathedral (from left to right but not in exact alignment) Front row (seated): Kazuo Larry Tanabe '57; Roy Hay Suzuki '57; Hideaki Sakurai '48; John M. Saito '52; Joji Ozawa (George Mayes) '64 2nd row (seated): Shigeyoshi Kimura '57; Tom Hay Suzuki '60; George Hay Suzuki '54; Mrs. Atsuko Ishigami '57; Yoshiro (Mats) Matsushima '55; Mrs. Suzuki (Roy); (bent over) Boon Oyama '66 3rd row: John Komor '54; Luke Schneider (Oyama) '54; Cecil Y. Baclay '52; Francis de Britto '51; Fr. Iino of Sacred Heart; Ms. Alice Wong Ohara '52; Utz Reiff '63; Frank K. Yip '58; Franz Metzger '58 Back row: Yutaka Nakayama '91, Mr. Arthur Stavrinaky; Henry Akashi '71; Shun Shindo '65; James Patterson '78; George Koyama '69; Ian Walker '66; Hans Enderle '58 Cameraman Yuzz Kanda '69 See more pictures in our photo gallery >>> Memorial Mass and Annual gathering - Sept. 23, 2005 Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends of St. Joe's, This serves as a reminder and an invitation to all of you who may not yet be aware of our annual event before Our Lady of Faith and Fortitude to be held on Sept. 23. Unlike in past years, we will be hosting this event slightly differently this year. Kindly note and be guided by the following schedule: 0930 - 1030: Meet at the Sacred Heart Cathedral to offer a Memorial Mass to our deceased senpai and teachers 1030 - 1100: Walk to the annes of Motomachi Park to observe our memorabilia 1110 - 1400: Offer our prayers before our Lady of Faith and Fortitude. Light meal and beverages to be served followed by a briefing on recent activities/developments We encourage all of you to assemble at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at 0920 on Sept. 23 to attend the Memorial Mass. At the same time, we ask for your kind contributions to support our worthwhile activities. A box will be prepared for your contributions and will be left at the entrance of the Cathedral. My team of officers and coops look forward to meeting as many of you as we possibly could. Kindly fill in the form below and submit by Sept. 16th of your attendance. With Faith and Fortitude, Boon Ohyama, President.