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Fr. Jim McDonough, missionary to the Japanese, Returns to Damien Residence, Massachusetts

Fr. Jim McDonough, ss.cc. is moving back to Damien Residence in Fairhaven, MA.   Fr. Jim has been serving as chaplain to the Japan community in Hawaii for a few years and also celebrated mass at the SS.CC. sisters in Malia O Ka Malu Community in the Kaimuki neighborhood of Honolulu.
Last weekend, Aug. 8-9th, there were several farewells for Fr. Jim, as the Hawaiian brothers and many of the faithful showed their appreciation his aloha for God and the people, and big heart of service, and wished him well. 
I enjoyed breakfast at Malia with Fr. Jim the other day.   Fr. Jim told the story of how the Holy Spirit opened the doors to the founding of a home for seniors in Yamagata, Japan.  Fr. Jim presented the idea to the pastor Fr. John Yamada, ss.cc. who said no to the plan.  Fr. Jim explained that Fr. John probably thought that he would inherit the responsibility because Fr. Jim’s Japanese wasn’t strong enough.    “Well, the plan was dead at 12 noon, but alive at 3 pm!”
Just after Fr. Jim asked Fr. John about the senior home, a young man had come to talk with Fr. John, saying there was no place for him to rehab.  After this, Fr. John approached Fr. Jim, saying “We are going to do this.”   And then many pieces fell into place, from the men of the community agreeing to help, the women of church supporting, and a young woman who told Fr. Jim that she would take care of the paperwork.   I admire the humility, obedience, trust in the Lord, compassion and sense of humor that Fr. Jim revealed in this amazing story. 




Fr. Jim McDonough, ss.cc. sharing with Sr. Helene Woods, ss.cc. at Malia O Ka Malu Convent


Farewell for Fr. Jim by SS.CC. sisters at Malia O Ka Malu Convent, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI

I know many in Hawaii, Japan, Massachusetts and elsewhere are grateful for Fr. Jim’s service as Sacred Hearts religious and priest. 

 

Fr. Jim’s 60th Jubilee in 2022 celebrated in Honolulu

https://hawaiicatholicherald.com/2022/04/27/29081/

written by Bill Gural, ss.cc.

This message is sent from SS.CC. US Province Communications




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