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Request
for Prayers and Donations
To all the
Faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo,
I am ever grateful for your constant prayers, goodwill and support.
As I informed you last year, we decided to have a large scale repair of
Tokyo St.Mary’s Cathedral and I am asking for cooperation and support
from all in the Archdiocese.
For this project, I would like to ask for your prayers, and donations as
well.
I pray that God may give you His abundant blessings.
September, 2006
Peter Takeo
Okada,
Archbishop of Tokyo |
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Outline
Tokyo
St. Mary’s Cathedral, located at Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, is the
Episcopal See, and the central church of the Catholic Archdiocese of
Tokyo.
On this site there was previously the Catholic Sekiguchi Church, which
was burnt down during World War II, and this new Cathedral has been
built thanks to the support of the German Diocese of Cologne, and the
cooperation of many people, both Catholics and non Catholics.
It was designed by the architect Kenzo Tange; the construction started
in 1963 and the building was completed and dedicated on December 8,
1964.
The structure consists of eight panels of curved concrete walls,
joined and erected almost vertically. The ceiling with sky-light
windows is in the form of a great cross. The exterior shine of the
stainless-steel covered roofs reminds us of the Light of Christ that
shines in the darkness of the world and in human hearts.
In the course of forty-two years, this Cathedral has played an
important role for Catholic liturgies, diocesan events, ceremonial
occasions, concerts and many other gatherings. However, because of the
deterioration of the external metal cover, extensive renovations have
to be made at this time. The repair work will consist of the entire
replacement of the outer-wall metal coverings and the top lights.
Reasons
for Renovation
On
account of the gap between the advanced modern design of this building
and the construction techniques of the time, even from the early
stages there were problems of rain leaking and the stainless steel
covering taking in water. The ceiling was made of steel lattice and
glass, but in order to avoid rain leaking in, another roof was added
later to cover that one.
The outer walls were covered with stainless steel sheets supported by
iron frames. Because of the manner of joining the exterior sheets, it
has been impossible to avoid rain-water permeating through, and in the
course of months and years, the inside iron frames and fastening bolts
got rusted, and parts of the stainless steel sheets sometimes were
blown off by the strong wind of typhoons. This is happening more often
recently, with greater risk of causing serious accidents. Therefore we
cannot leave the building as it is.
The photos show
an aerial view of the Cathedral, the stainless steel sheets being put
up together at the time of construction, and a metal sheet almost
blown off by strong wind. |
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Investigations prior to
Renovation
On December 8,
2004, on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the Dedication of the
Cathedral, investigations about its outer wall renovation started.
Together with Taisei Construction Co. and the support of Tange
Associates, the diocesan curia decided to renovate the building to a
sturdy rainproof one. The Diocese of Cologne also sent a specialist in
architecture, who gave us good advice.
In January 2006, a Construction Committee was formed, and four
qualified Catholic architects and two diocesan priests are cooperating
with the diocesan curia’s building project.
These photos show the metal
sheet tearing apart at the top, and the gigantic crane truck for the
repair work.
Construction Plan
January, 2007.
Scaffoldings and an enormous crane will be built up around the
cathedral.
February-July : renovation work of the outer wall coverings.
First the present stainless steel coverings and the rusted steel
frames will be all taken off and discarded. Then the concrete walls
will be cleaned up, and water-proofed again. New zinc-plated steel
frames will be set, and water-proof 25 mm thick cement panels will be
placed all over. Then over the water-proof panels, stainless steel
sheets will be jointed together with a special technique that will not
allow any water infiltration. Moreover, air will flow between the
concrete layer and the stainless cover, and this will dry the moisture
inside. The exterior stainless steel will retain almost completely the
same design as that of the present one.
The top-light ceiling will be made of aluminum frames and tempered
glass, so that the bright original sky-light will come back, and the
interior of the Cathedral will be much brighter (refer to the picture
of the model at right). The renovated structure will be so designed
that engineers will be able to get onto the roof space more easily for
inspections.
August will be the time for taking down scaffoldings, and final
inspections. In September at the latest, all the renovation work will
be over.
During the construction months, the inside of the Cathedral can be
used almost as usual, apart from some limitations due to the noise of
the work. Since most of the premises will become a construction site,
there will be a limit to the parking spaces for visitor’s cars.
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Prayer for the Tokyo Cathedral and the
Archdiocese
Merciful Father,
We pray for the repair work of
St.Mary’s Cathedral in Tokyo.
You have gathered us Catholics of the
Archdiocese of Tokyo
as the people of God around the
diocesan Bishop.
In order to maintain this visible
symbol of our community
we are carrying out these repair
works.
May this enterprise be pleasing to
you,
and may we continue to support each
other with one heart.
May this Cathedral and the liturgy of
the People of God celebrated there
be a sign of your love and light, and
become a place where
your healing power and encouragement
are transmitted to many people.
We ask this through Jesus Christ Our
Lord.
Amen.
(Tokyo Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of the
Immaculate Conception,
so in addition to this prayer please say also the “Prayer to the
Holy Mother Mary”)
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On
Donations for the Renovation Work of the Cathedral of Tokyo
The funds needed
for the extensive repair work at St. Mary’s Tokyo Cathedral are
approximately 800 million yen.
Out of this, 500 million yen will be taken from the funds that the
diocese has been laying aside for construction purposes, but for the
remainder we have to ask for your contribution.
The target for the donations is 300 million yen.
If we divide this sum by the number of faithful that usually
participate on Sunday Masses, the share for one person is 10,000
yen. This is a big sum, but smaller donations will also be greatly
appreciated.
We regret having to request this large sum of money, but rely on the
generosity of all.
We have set up a fund-raising committee, and plan to ask for your
cooperation in various ways. You can participate in collections in
parishes, or send your contributions directly.
The following is the Bank Account where donations can be sent:
Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank, Edogawabashi Branch
Futsuu Yokin Account Number 1179068
Account Name:
Shukyohojin Katorikku Tokyo Daishikyoku Katedoraru Daikaishu
Kenkinguchi
If you have any questions please contact: Mr. Masashi Tsukamoto
(Tokyo Diocesan Office of General Administration)
TEL.03-3943-3645 FAX..03-3944-6677
E-mail m.tsukamoto@tokyo.catholic.jp
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