2010年を迎えて

今年もよろしく!




2010年もはや2月に入りました。当会を支援してくださる皆さま、叱咤激励してくださる友人の皆様、お元気ですか。

私は、去る1月23日に日本からマニラへ戻ってきました。久しぶりにお正月を雪の中で過ごしました。ダイアモンド・ダストの雪は、「雪掻き」の妨げにもならず、むしろ、私を外へ外へと誘うのでした。12月31日は、北の小さな町を一周して歩き、その後熱い銭湯につかり、一年分の「アカ」を落としました。正月三が日の間に、友人から頂いた「利休をたずねて」を読み終え、プロ意識の厳しさを教えられました。



日本滞在中は、教会関係、修道会関係、ろう者と手話通訳者、そして友人の皆さまに大変お世話になりました。この度は、名古屋・関東・上越及び北海道の一部を駆け足で回りました。そのため、多くのろう者の方がたにはお会いできず大変失礼しましたことをお詫び申し上げます。



さて、2008年まで使用していた日本のプロバイダーとの交信がうまくいかず、2009年は当会のホームページを閉鎖していましたが、今年はフランシスコ会兄弟の指導をいただき、このように再開することが出来ました。本来のブログのように日々皆様と交信するというわけにはいきませんが、皆様に少しでも私どもの活動を知っていただければ幸いです。合わせて皆様のお祈りとご指導を本年もよろしくお願い申し上げます。

GRATITUDE

Happy New Year to each of you!


Unbelievable! Christmas had passed and we are speeding toward 2010! The past year had been countless blessing and wonderful year for us and we have been looking forward to the 2010 an exciting year ahead on PSFADC’s programs and activities. First, I wanted to say how deeply appreciative I am of all that you’ve done for our association. I am proud to serve with such talented and dedicated people. Despite the challenging circumstances, you have remained steadfast in your commitment to the mission even though we confront the financial challenges.

The PSFADC community can look forward to 2010 with optimism, while recognizing that we too will face challenges and this is a good time of year to look back and ahead. There is much to do to accommodate new changes. At the same time, we are reminded of the need to constantly engage with our Deaf community and to raise awareness.

In respond to our Deaf mission, we are grateful to raise the Literacy class for the Deaf purposely to all Deaf who have or no education at all in the provinces. Our hope will be impossible through your works and serve the Deaf who are unchurched and live in isolation from the fellowship as we give Catholic education in sign language. But of all the hardship, let’s go hand in hand to improve and develop more our missions, at the same time improving integration and understanding within the local community of the Deaf.



For the great help of our Interpreters who facilitate communication between Deaf people and people who can hear. The opportunities to meet people from all walks of life and experience a vast array of work environments by interpreting from schools, church and to any time in need. Thank you so much for your incredibly timely and efficient help. I am so thankful for the care that you take in every aspect of your work. It is so comforting to know that through your helping hands we have the best to offer our clients.



Through this year, I will continue to fight for PSFADC and for our shared goal that it remains a place of opportunity with your continual prayers.



I am overwhelmed by the generosity and outpouring of support from our supporters locally and internationally. While PSFADC is a service ministry, funding basically is needed to maintain and expand work. Today, by God’s grace and with your help, the ministry continues as we aim to achieve our mission by providing education within the community in order that the Deaf have equal opportunities and treated with respect and enable them to be independent choices and achieve their own aspirations.

In closing, let me say once again how grateful I am for your hard work, loyalty, and perseverance in the face of these challenging times. May this New Year 2010 bring many opportunities our way to explore every joy of life and may your resolutions for the days ahead stay firm, turning all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.

Wish that the New Year brings joy, beautiful moments and surprises to cherish forever.





Sincerely,





Fr. Hozo Sato, OFM

PSFADC, President