ST. JOHN'S SOCIETY’ELDERLY WELFARE SECTOR PART 2

 
 At this time, the Superior of the Congregation and the Director of the Social Welfare Corporation was Sister Rinko Kawakubo. Father John Joseph Mooney was already engaged in missionary work as the first priest at Koganei Church. Although there were many difficulties in the new field of elderly welfare work, the decision was made to open a special nursing home, seeing it as a "sign of the times" to reach out to the elderly in need of assistance. The building was completed in 1986. On April 1, Father Mooney celebrated the opening Mass on the rooftop of the home on a green artificial lawn, in which he said, "The value of the home is not the building, but the way of life and practice based on love. Two months later, the facility reached its capacity of 100 people, and in October of the same year, Koganei City commissioned us to open a day home on the third floor of the home, using the meeting and recreation room. Four years later, a new building was erected and became the starting point for the development of home welfare for the elderly in the community. The short-stay service started two years later. At first, the care of the users was in a state of groping, but with repeated meetings, we went back and forth in our research on care based on "assistance for independence" and "supporting the dignity of the personality", and strived to respect the dignity of each elderly person's life and death, improve the quality of life, and practice living together in a relationship as true brothers and sisters. We are still striving to put into practice the concept of "living together" in a relationship as true brothers and sisters.

 The call for volunteers began with a call to the members of Catholic Koganei Church, and Fr. Mooney said, "It is important to have a heart that says, 'Let me help you,' rather than 'I will help you. Don't expect anything in return. At first, the volunteer activities were cleaning, folding laundry, washing dishes, and hairdressing, but gradually, people with various qualifications joined in, and through repeated discussions, the volunteer activities were enriched to include coffee shops, events, and circle activities. Schools and other organizations have also offered their services, and the support of a total of 4,000 volunteers per year has been a great help. With the cooperation of volunteers and part-time instructors, the number of circle activities has been increasing every year.

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MISSION STATEMENT

 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him.
John 15:5

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ENTERPRISES

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
John 9

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CONVENTS

A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another.
John 13:34

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BLOG

If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be.
John 12:26

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We express God's deep love through our service to:
"the sick,
the suffering, and
the marginalized"