From the Priest

Catholic Seta Church is located in Setagaya Ward, in the western part of Tokyo's 23 wards. Kawasaki City is across the Tama River. It's a 15-minute walk from Futako-Tamagawa Station. When you reach the hills of Seta, you can see the church at the top. People from Setagaya Ward, as well as those from neighboring municipalities, come to the church.

The church has about 800 members. While many Catholic churches in Tokyo are large, Catholic Seta Church is a small church. There are two Masses every Sunday, and more than 200 people attend in total.

One of the distinguishing features of Catholic Seta Church is that it is a church that is welcoming to everyone. The gates and doors are always open during the day, and the spacious garden can be seen from the meeting hall where parishioners gather. Thanks to the efforts of the parishioners, the flowers are also well cared for. When I see children playing ball in the courtyard in front of the church, or when I meet people who come to pray every morning before going to work, even if they have not been baptized, I feel God's blessing and am grateful. I feel joy every day knowing that this church has become a place of comfort for the people in the neighborhood.

Another characteristic of Catholic Seta Church, expressed in modern terms, is that it is an "open" church. There are no particular roles or activities of the church. Many parishioners freely participate in Mass, drink tea, chat, and spend a relaxed Sunday morning together with those who pray devoutly or those who dedicate themselves to service activities.

This is the Catholic Seta Church, where anyone can come anytime. Please feel free to visit us if you'd like.

The history of Seta Church. Successive priests.

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.