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On December 28, 2025, the closing Mass of the Holy Year was solemnly held at the Catholic Chofu Church. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Angel, the parish priest, and Father Rapp, the seminary director. It was a great joy for us, who have fulfilled our mission as a pilgrimage church, that the Chofu Church community and the seminary were able to celebrate this day together as one. ■ Messages from the two priests Two priests spoke at the Mass. In his homily, Father Angel used the image of the Holy Family in the Gospel of Matthew to talk about three things we should keep in mind as we go forward. Listen to the small voice in the silence . Accepting each other in a sense of security similar to "family life." Respect all roles, both public and private, behind-the-scenes "work (service)." "Even if new difficulties arise, as long as we unite our hearts, we will be fine." Father Lap's words gave us a powerful encouragement as we took our next step after the Jubilee Year. Father Lap delivered his sermon in Vietnamese. Even though I did not understand the details of the words, his powerful words conveyed the richness of Chofu Church, where people from various cultures come together, and the passion of universal faith. ■ Prayer of Thanksgiving by the Pilgrimage Committee Chairman At the end of the Mass, we shared a prayer of thanksgiving from Pilgrimage Committee Chairman Fujinaga, who has led the service for the past year. [Prayer of Thanksgiving on the Closing of the Holy Year (excerpt)] "...During the year that we have been designated a pilgrimage church, more than 4,000 people have visited Chofu Church, and these visitors have allowed us to discover new things about Chofu Church and meet unexpected people...which has allowed us to deepen our bonds with each other. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude once again for making it possible for us to safely close the Holy Year thanks to the cooperation of so many people, not only the work of our pilgrimage volunteers, but also the provision of hot meals, daily reception in the heat and cold, cleaning, record keeping, and supporting pilgrims behind the scenes. Building on the blessings of this past year, we would like to take another new step forward so that the church can be a beacon of hope." The full text is here. ↓ ■ Kamishibai "The Fir Trees": The seeds of synodality After the Mass, volunteers performed a picture-story show called "Fir Trees." It tells the story of a lone tree that tries to stand alone in a storm and falls, and the trees in the valley that are packed together but support each other and weather the storm. This story, which depicts the importance of living together while supporting each other, is the very theme of "walking together (synodality)" that the Chofu Church community will be cultivating from next year. We have renewed our determination to become such a strong community that can turn even storms into blessings from heaven. ■ Resonating prayers and singing: Shared emotions The afterglow of the closing Mass spread to the evening Rosary gathering via Zoom. A person from another church who attended the closing Mass at Chofu Church shared a moving story: "Everyone in the church came together as one, each singing and praying with gratitude for their own Jubilee. The beautiful reverberation of the song gave me a deep sense of unity." It was a moment when people were united in one prayer, transcending the walls of their churches. ■ Instead of concluding The Holy Year has come to an end, but our pilgrimage continues. May God's abundant blessings be upon Mr. Fujinaga, the Pilgrimage Committee Chair, all the volunteers who have supported us this past year, and all those who have visited Chofu Church. We will continue to walk together as "pilgrims of hope."

In celebration of the Nativity of the Lord, we will be holding Christmas and New Year's Masses as follows. Please join us. ◆ Wednesday, December 24th: Midnight Mass of the Nativity of the Lord 4:00 PM Mass with Children 7pm 8:30pm (mainly Vietnamese) 24 hours * There will be no 9:30 a.m. mass on this day. ◆ December 25th (Thursday) Nativity of the Lord 8:00 AM Early Morning Mass of the Nativity of the Lord 10:30 a.m. Nativity Day Mass * There will be no 8:00 PM mass on this day. ◆ Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, December 31st 10:30 ◆ January 1st (Thursday) Mass for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God 0 o'clock 8 o'clock 10:30 ◆ First Friday Mass on January 2nd (Friday) 10:30 * There will be no 9:30 a.m. mass on this day. If you have any questions, please contact the church. May we welcome the birth of our Lord and the new year together with you in gratitude and joy.

How do you spend your Saturday nights? At Chofu Catholic Church, we hold Eucharistic Adoration from 6:15 PM every Saturday prior to Mass at 7 PM. Our parish priest, Father Angel, has given us this opportunity because he wants us to not lose sight of the very presence of Jesus, who is present in our daily lives of faith, by placing too much importance on the prayers at Mass. He wants us to feel Jesus in our hearts and to be with him always. At 6:15pm, as dusk approached, the calming light of the cathedral filled the air. The time spent facing the Eucharist in this reversible space is truly a blissful time in which you can have a deep conversation with Jesus. By escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life and facing your own heart, you will surely be able to regain your true self before Jesus . During the Eucharistic Adoration , we will sing the prayer song "The Lord Lives Now" without organ accompaniment. We are sure that the warm singing of "The Lord Lives Now, He is in my Heart" will resonate in the clear air and touch your hearts. Welcoming Jesus into your heart during Eucharistic Adoration and feeling his presence deeply before attending Mass will surely enrich your faith. There are not many opportunities to feel this calm and centered in God in the heart of the city, and I hope to share this blessed time with as many people as possible. We look forward to seeing you at the Catholic Chofu Church Chapel every Saturday from 6:15 PM. Please come and experience this special, sacred moment .

巡礼の教会であり、チマッティ神父の記念館（お墓）や聖骸布の原寸大の公認レプリカがあるカトリック調布教会 ​​​ welcome To Chofu Church We are empowered by our unwavering trust in the Lord's teachings, and where we come together under the Holy Spirit, unity and harmony will come. Please join our community and experience the power of the Lord together in your daily life. The doors of Chofu Church are open to everyone. Please feel free to come to church even if it is your first time. We are empowered by our unwavering trust in the Lord's teachings, and where we come together under the Holy Spirit, unity and harmony will come. Please join our community and experience the power of the Lord together in your daily life. The doors of Chofu Church are open to everyone. Please feel free to come to church even if it is your first time. Chofu Church is a church entrusted to the Salesian Order by the Archdiocese of Tokyo, and we work together with all young people to help them maximize the talents they have been given by God and live happy lives. We are a youth pastoral church that supports the growth of each and every young person, taking Don Bosco's teaching of "loving young people and being with young people" to heart. Mass time Mass Time Anyone can attend either Mass. Please join us in praying. [Mass time announcement] Morning Mass on Wednesday, December 17th will be held at the Cathedral from 10:00. [Sunday Mass] Saturday: 19:00 Sunday: 7:30 9:00 10:30 [First Friday Mass] Every 1st Friday of the month: 10:30 [English Mass] English Mass Second Sunday: 14:00 [Mass for Everyone] International Mass 3rd Sunday: 10:30 　 *People from various countries attend Mass together, reading, praying, singing hymns and praising in their native language. [Mass in Vietnamese] Thánh Lễ tiếng Việt 4th Sunday: 14:00 The Sunday and weekday Mass hymns for August 2025 have been posted! Please click here to view them. Topics Topics A bond of hope formed with 4,000 pilgrims at the closing Mass of the Jubilee Year Jan 1 Information about Christmas and New Year's Masses Dec 10, 2025 A Moment of Quietness: An Invitation to Saturday Eucharistic Adoration Aug 9, 2025 Manthly Schedule Monthly Schedule If you would like to see the annual schedule, click here! → Schedule of The year For first-time visitors Anyone can enter the church. The chapel is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on days other than Sunday, so please feel free to come in and pray. The mass held there is an important ceremony held by the Catholic Church to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Anyone can participate. Please feel free to ask any of the guides wearing armbands for assistance. For first-time visitors We look forward to! If you are lost, tired, troubled, suffering, or searching for a way, please come knock on the door of Chofu Church. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. " Matthew 11:28 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me. "Revelation / Chapter 3, Verse 20 Chofu Church Page

News of the week This is a reprint of the "Notice" distributed during the mass. Event Information This is a guide to various events for church members to enjoy. Please come and join us! Volunteer Activities This is information about volunteer activities such as cleaning the church. Lectures and study sessions This is an announcement about various lectures and study sessions being held at Chofu Church. News of the week News of the week Lectures and study sessions Lectures and study sessions Hymns and Sheet Music for "Mass for All" 多言語曲楽譜 Lectures and study sessions Lectures and study sessions 02. Catholic introductory course Instructor: Sister Shimazaki Date and time: Every Wednesday 10:00-11:15 Location: Chofu Church, Joseph's Hall Target audience: People who are new to Christianity, People who want to deepen their faith and are considering baptism 02. Catholic introductory course Lecturer: Sister Shimazaki (member of the Notre Dame de Paris) Date and time: Every Monday 10:00-11:15 Location: Chofu Church, Joseph's Hall, Target: Baptism candidates and those who have been baptized Starts May 12, 2025 In addition, the monastery follows up on the newly baptized by reading the Gospel of Mark. For further details, please contact: Tel: 080-2213-7440 (Sr. Shimazaki) Event Information Event Information 第50回日本カトリック映画賞　授賞式・上映＆対談 Sun, Jul 05 暁星学園講堂 More info Details ’26 カトリック インド巡礼（10日間）　同行司祭：スダーカル神父（府中教会） Tue, Nov 10 インド各所 More info Details 第2回チマッティ神父様 列福運動のミサと黙想会のご案内 Sat, Jun 13 カトリック調布教会 More info Details オラトリオ聖母祭2026 Sun, May 24 カトリック調布教会　ドンボスコ・ホール／オラトリオ More info Details 聖母祭＆パティオ祭 Sun, May 24 カトリック調布教会 More info Details ミラグロス祭親睦会 / Convivencia del Señor de los Milagros (1) Sat, May 02 カトリック調布教会 More info Details DBVG35周年記念　ミニチャリティーコンサート Sun, Apr 26 カトリック調布教会（聖堂） More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Dec 13 Chofu City More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Nov 15 Chofu City More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Jul 12 Chofu City More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Jun 21 Chofu City More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Apr 05 Chofu City More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Mar 15 Chofu City More info Details The 2nd Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Feb 15 Chofu City More info Details Church Mini Concert Sun, Feb 09 Chofu City More info Details The 1st Chofu Church Pilgrimage (Limited to Chofu Church members) Sat, Jan 18 Chofu City More info Details Pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary of Fuji Sat, May 18 Our Lady of Fuji More info Details About volunteer activites About volunteer activities Year-end cleaning ■Church cleaning: Thanks to everyone, we were able to do the end-of-year cleaning of the church on Sunday, December 8th, Saturday, December 7th, and Saturday, December 14th. Thank you for your cooperation. others Adjusting...

Our Chofu Church Our Chofu Church We are empowered by our unwavering trust in the teachings of the Lord, and wherever we come together under the Holy Spirit, unity and harmony will come. Please join us at Chofu Church and experience the power of the Lord together in your daily life. Our church doors are open to everyone. Please feel free to come to church even if it is your first time. A church that inherits the spirit of the pioneer Father Cimatti The Salesian Sisters are a religious order of the Catholic Church. Its founder was Don Bosco, an Italian priest active in the 19th century, who devoted himself to educating poor young people in particular, based on his conviction that "all young people can be saved." The Salesian Order has inherited Don Bosco's educational philosophy and is engaged in educational activities that maximize the potential of each and every young person. The pastoral care of Chofu Church is entrusted to this Salesian Order. History of Chofu Church Chofu Church was founded in 1950 when the Salesian Seminary was opened at its current location. As the purpose of the Order is the education of young people, a youth center was also established at the same time, and some of the children who gathered there and their parents were baptized. At the time, this small community began as a branch church of Kitami Church. In 1967, the Salesian Order was entrusted by the Tokyo Diocese and separated from Kitami Church, and Chofu Church was born as a parish. Supporting Youth Education In addition to the church, the premises include the Don Bosco Hall, a baseball and soccer field, the Cimatti Memorial Church, and the Cimatti Museum. Due to the above objectives and history, Chofu Church is actively involved in supporting youth education. Together with Salesian priests and seminarians, we run a Sunday school, the largest event of which is a summer camp, and also support a bazaar run by the parishioners. We continue our activities, encouraged by the words of a Korean priest introduced by Sono Ayako: "The wonderful joy of helping others should not be kept to yourself. Let's ask for help, little by little, from many people." A church that inherits the spirit of the pioneer Father Cimatti Father Vincentio Cimatti, a pioneer of Salesian missionary activities in Japan, came to Japan in 1926 at the age of 46. He guided many Japanese people through his innate kindness, musical talent, publishing work, and training of Japanese priests. During World War II, he faced the trial of losing many young Japanese seminarians and monks whom he had trained for 10 years on the battlefield, and he shed tears for each and every one of them. Led by Father Cimatti, the Salesian mission after the war placed the salvation of children first, and established schools to accommodate war orphans, as well as junior and senior high schools, trained new Japanese priests, and revived the publishing work, putting its activities back on track. The current activities of the Salesian Congregation and the five churches in the Tokyo Diocese, including Chofu Church, are an extension of this. Father passed away in 1965 at the age of 86. He was called to God after a noble life. In 1991, his virtues were recognized and he was given the title of Venerable by the Holy See. His body is placed in the basement of the Cimatti Memorial Church and is open to the public. You can also visit the archives to remember his virtues. The members of Chofu Church are inspired by the joy of having such a role model on the same premises and continue to work hard in their faith and missionary work, following in their footsteps. Salesio 100th Anniversary Commemorative Page A church that inherits the spirit of the pioneer Father Cimatti Father Vincentio Cimatti, a pioneer of Salesian missionary activities in Japan, came to Japan in 1926 at the age of 46. He guided many Japanese people through his innate kindness, musical talent, publishing work, and training of Japanese priests. During World War II, he faced the trial of losing many young Japanese seminarians and monks whom he had trained for 10 years on the battlefield, and he shed tears for each and every one of them. Led by Father Cimatti, the Salesian mission after the war placed the salvation of children first, and established schools to accommodate war orphans, as well as junior and senior high schools, trained new Japanese priests, and revived the publishing work, putting its activities back on track. The current activities of the Salesian Congregation and the five churches in the Tokyo Diocese, including Chofu Church, are an extension of this. Father passed away in 1965 at the age of 86. He was called to God after a noble life. In 1991, his virtues were recognized and he was given the title of Venerable by the Holy See. His body is placed in the basement of the Cimatti Memorial Church and is open to the public. You can also visit the archives to remember his virtues. The members of Chofu Church are inspired by the joy of having such a role model on the same premises and continue to work hard in their faith and missionary work, following in their footsteps. Chimachi Museum In addition to the church, the premises include the Don Bosco Hall, a baseball and soccer field, the Cimatti Memorial Church, and the Cimatti Museum. Due to the above objectives and history, Chofu Church is actively involved in supporting youth education. Together with Salesian priests and seminarians, we run a Sunday school, the largest event of which is a summer camp, and also support a bazaar run by the parishioners. We continue our activities, encouraged by the words of a Korean priest introduced by Sono Ayako: "The wonderful joy of helping others should not be kept to yourself. Let's ask for help, little by little, from many people." Chimatchi Museum Our Father Our Father Chief Priest of Chofu Church Father Hitoshi Yamanouchi / Baptismal name: Angel メッセージ プロファイル Born in Japan, he moved to Argentina with his family when he was seven years old. He became a Salesian in Argentina, was ordained as a priest in 1987, and returned to Japan at the end of 1993. Since returning to Japan, he has served as pastor at Himonya Church, Saginuma Church (now Tsuzuki Church), Hamamatsu Church, Tatebayashi Church in the Saitama Diocese, and Honjo Church, and has been the parish priest of Chofu Church since April 1, 2024. Many things have changed dramatically, such as changing from a small community to a larger one, the language of mass and prayer, and changing from a pastoral ministry that mainly dealt with foreign parishioners to one that now deals with Japanese parishioners, especially young parishioners. Here in Chofu, we are beginning to feel the wind of the Holy Spirit through various charisms. I entrust myself to the project that God is trying to carry out here, and I ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary so that I may walk together with all of you who come to Chofu Church, especially the young people and the various foreign nationals. Motto: "Use me" Mother Teresa Favorite Scripture: "My peace I give to you" John 14:27 Ordained: December 19, 1987 Birthplace: Saiki City, Oita Prefecture (moved to Argentina at age 7) Rector of Salesian Seminary Father Haruyama Rapp / Baptismal name: Michael メッセージ プロファイル He came to Japan as a boat person from Vietnam in 1983. He was ordained as a Salesian priest and pastored at Tetela Church in the Solomon Islands. He returned to Japan and is currently working to develop young members. Motto: Freedom I am a happy person. Now I can interact with young people of foreign nationality and young members. I am also happy to have members to work with. It is fun to dream with the people I am involved with in my free time. (Maybe I am just imagining things! lol) Favorite scripture: "You give them something to eat" (Mark 6) FYI Ordained: 1996 Birthplace: Vietnam Director of the Cimatti Museum Father Giovanni Marsilio / Baptismal name: John the Apostle メッセージ プロファイル When I came to Japan, Father Cimatti welcomed me in Chofu. Four years later, I saw him off to heaven in Chofu. After that, I was assigned to places around the country, including Beppu, Miyazaki Hinata Gakuin, Shimoigusa, and Yotsuya, and I also spent three years at the Vatican. In 2019, I was appointed director of the Cimatti Museum, and since then I have felt even closer to Father Cimatti. I have taught catechesis wherever I have been assigned. I am still working hard to hold study sessions. Please come and join us. On the 6th of every month, we hold a mass in hopes of Father Cimatti's intercession, so please attend this too. We also ask for your prayers and campaigns for Father Cimatti's beatification. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.v-cimatti.com/ Motto: "Know yourself and conquer yourself" (Father Cimatti) Favorite Scripture: "Please, I want to see Jesus" John 12-21 Ordained in 1968 (born in 1941, came to Japan in 1961) Birthplace: Milan, Italy Vice Rector of Salesian Seminary Father Shoichiro Nakata / Baptismal name: Joseph メッセージ プロファイル ...In preparation... Ordination Year: 19xx Birthplace: xxxx Catholic missionaries and the Japanese authority on the study of the Holy Shroud Father Gaetano Compri / Baptismal name: Gaetano メッセージ プロファイル I've been living in Japan for 70 years now! I have been involved in the field of education for many years, including as the principal of Salesio Junior and Senior High School. I have compiled what I have learned there into books on human studies, as well as catechesis, a biography of Father Cimatti, and a book on the Shroud of Turin. Even now at the age of 95, he continues to hold various study sessions and also posts on YouTube. I don't know how long I can continue, but if it is God's will, I would like to respond. Please pray for me that I can do so. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@gaetanocompri7973 Ordained in March 1958 (born in 1930, arrived in Japan in 1955) Birthplace: Verona, Italy Salesian Seminary Father Antonio Takei / Baptismal name: Antonio of Padua メッセージ プロファイル ...In preparation... Ordination Year: 19xx Ordination Year: 19xx Birthplace: xxxx Salesian Polytechnic Chaplain (Religious Head) Father Daisuke Kitagawa / Baptismal name: Joseph メッセージ プロファイル ...In preparation... Ordination Year: 19xx Birthplace: xxxx Salesian Seminary Brother Monk Naokatsu Takeshita / Baptismal name: Joseph メッセージ プロファイル ...In preparation... Lifetime Vows: 19xx Birthplace: xxxx Birthplace: xxxx Chofu Church's sanctuary (bell) Chofu Church's sanctuary (bell) A modern church in Chofu, with a sophisticated form and texture The multi-layered roofs and spires stretching towards the sky are a symbol of religious faith. Natural light pours in through the windows, creating a tranquil space that soothes the minds of all visitors. Chofu Church Map / gallery want to know more··· If you are new to Chofu Church, please click here. Maybe you'll understand a little more. Read More