Unlikely Papists

In addition to challenging our ideas about acceptable food condiments (mayonnaise on pizza) and cold medication (Chinese herbs instead of NyQuil), living in Japan has forced us to rethink the North American notion of church shopping. A couple weeks ago, Kellyn and I decided to resume our search for a church home. Previous Sunday mornings spent trying to bumble our way through sermons and praise choruses in Japanese caused us to opt for the only English language church service in Sapporo: 12:30 mass at the downtown Roman Catholic cathedral.

Despite our attempt at an inconspicuous entrance, a 6’6’’ African acolyte approached us less than 45 seconds after we sat down in a pew near the back. After a warm hello, he asked if we would lead the Old Testament and Epistle readings for the day. Our perplexed stares caused him to open our service bulletins for us, point to the passages in Isaiah and Thessalonians, and repeat his question. We sheepishly consented and moments later found ourselves processing toward the altar in the company of the priest and said acolyte. Kellyn and I now made up two of the four people leading the mass. Wondering how we ended up here, I remembered someone once saying that we don’t find Jesus, he finds us. It must be roughly the same with Catholicism.
We stood altarside awaiting our cue. I glanced out at the pews and tried to guess how many of the 40 or so congregants knew that Kellyn and I had no idea what we were doing. Following the opening lines of the liturgy, Kellyn read from Isaiah and led the repository psalm as if she’d been a papist since birth. I then voiced my best rendition of Pauline prose into the microphone, after which we scurried back to our distant pew and spent the remainder of the service comfortably out of sight.

At the conclusion of the service, we were called to the front, asked to introduce ourselves to the congregation, and invited to practice Christmas carols with the international choir for Christmas Eve mass. Our acceptance of this invitation led to a meal and a three-hour practice during which I learned that I don’t know how to sing any other part but the melody, which isn’t helpful because I’m a baritone. We left the cathedral not sure if we were fully prepared to sing in the Christmas Eve mass, but, then again, we weren’t prepared to help lead the mass on our first visit either.

I’ve often heard that churches outside North America function more like families than country clubs, but, until two weeks ago, I didn’t understand that this might make church shopping a little more difficult. Our friends at the cathedral viewed us more as participants than onlookers, and I don’t think it would make much sense to them for us not to come back. This is perhaps a much-needed challenge to our conception of church hunting.

Thanksgiving and Christmas

We had a great Thanksgiving and Christmas! The season wasn't quite the same without our friends and family, but all in all we had a wonderful holiday season. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to send us various holiday items that helped make our celebrations so special. In addition, we are truly blessed every time we are able to talk with or receive an email from anyone back home.

Our non-turkey dinner turned out to be rather delicious. We weren't able to find all the necessary ingredients to make a complete traditional dinner, but we came pretty darn close. We had a chicken (thank you Costco), mashed potatoes, German potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and rolls. We also started with an appetizer of cheese, olives, and crackers and finished off the meal with pumpkin pie and yukimi daifuku (You might know yukimi daifuku as mochi. Mochi is actually just the rice that covers the ice cream.).


Christmas was just as memerable. For those of you who aren't aware, Joe was born on Christmas. We decided to celebrate his birthday a couple days before. Kellyn took Joe out to dinner then they returned to their house for birthday cake and presents. Christmas Eve was spent Christmas caroling (see next blog for more info). On Christmas day we made french toast for breakfast, read the Christmas story, opened our presents, went to the fish market to pick out our crab, then prepared dinner. Cooking and cleaning the crab was a new experience for both of us, but it went better than we thought. The crab was scrumptious as was the garlic mashed potatoes, salad, and chocolate pie (until the pie fell on the floor).

We had a wonderful holiday and we hope all of you did as well. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!