From the Priest

1952: The monastery and chapel were completed and blessed by Archbishop Doi on September 12th. Fr. Abel Moorman was appointed as the first parish priest.

1953: Father Gerard Piotrowski becomes the second parish priest. Mr. Shigeru Yasui and five others are baptized.

1954: The Antonio Seminary building was completed. The first confirmation ceremony was held.

1957: The new cathedral (former parish hall) is completed and blessed by Archbishop Doi.

1960: The current church was completed and blessed by Bishop Nagae. Fr. Damas Gora was appointed as the third parish priest.

1962: The fourth chief priest, Rev. Noboru Maekawa, was appointed.

1964: Fr. Eugenio Pinci becomes the fifth parish priest.

1968: Girl Scouts are founded.

1970: The sixth chief priest, Reverend Tota Nakata, was appointed.

1972: Fr. Tarcisius Roa becomes the seventh parish priest.

1974: The Antonio Hall was completed, and the Missionaries of Mary Monastery was established on the adjacent land. Reverend Masatoshi Kodaira was ordained.

1975: Father Callisto Suney becomes the eighth chaplain.

1977: Rev. Haruo Akimoto was appointed as the ninth chaplain. Celebration of the 25th anniversary ceremony.

1984: The 10th chief priest, Reverend Masaru Kikuchi, was appointed.

1987: Rev. Tsuyoshi Carollo Yamabe was appointed the 11th chaplain.

1990: Rev. Masaharu Nagumo becomes the 12th chief priest.

1996: The 13th chief priest, Rev. Takeshi Kodaka, was appointed.

1999: Ritsu Tanizawa was appointed as the 14th chief priest.

2002: Fr. Urban Sawabie becomes the 15th parish priest.

2005: The 16th chief priest, Rev. Takeshi Odaka, was appointed.

2008: Rev. Tamio Yuzawa was appointed the 17th chief priest.

2017: Rev. Hiroshi Konishi was appointed the 18th chief priest.