This is to inform the public about Christmas Masses at Catholic churches in Niigata, Yamagata and Akita prefectures.
Christmas – the Church around the world celebrates the birth of our Savior Jesus on this day. Christmas is one of the most important Christian celebrations, an event that shows us in a simple way what God is like.
God’s only Son was born as a small and vulnerable baby. His mother, Mary, in her last month, had to travel with her husband Joseph to Bethlehem for a population census. It’s not the most appropriate birth for the only Son of God, the Savior, but it’s a very good news especially for poor immigrants, homeless people, working women in their pregnancy, marginalized people, and for those of us who are walking in darkness because of the Covid-19 disaster. Jesus was born in the midst of such circumstances and showed people the hope of salvation that shines in the midst of darkness.
Every year, the Catholic churches in Niigata, Yamagata, and Akita have been inviting non-parishioners to join them in celebrating Christmas Masses in their churches. However, due to the restrictions related to Covid-19, we might not be able to do so this year for most of the churches. You can find the information of the Christmas Masses of the churches below.
If you are unable to attend, please watch the Christmas Mass at Niigata Church on December 24 at 8:00 p.m., which will be broadcast on YouTube. Then, after December 25, please visit your nearest church. There is a statue of Jesus sleeping in a manger in the sanctuary. May the infant Jesus bless you abundantly.
Link to the Christmas Mass live video on YouTube: https://bit.ly/33qJtg0
Christmas Masses 2020
| Church | 24 | 25 | After 25 | Note | |
| N i i g a t a |
Aoyama | 19:30 | 10:00 | Keep social distance, use a hall if necessary | |
| Kameda | – | – | 15:00 on 27 |
Basically, participation is limited to the parishioners | |
| Shirone | – | – | |||
| Terao | 19:00 | 6:45 9:30 |
Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Niigata | 20:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners The mass on the 24th will be live broadcasted |
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| Hanazono | 19:00 | 9:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Toyano | 19:00 | – | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Sado | 20:00 | 9:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners |
| S h i b a t a |
Kamo | 18:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Sanjo | 9:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | |||
| Shibata | 19:00 | 9:30 | Basically, participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Murakami | – | – | 10:30 on 27 |
Participation is limited to the parishioners | |
| Tochio | – | 11:00 | |||
| Niitsu | 19:00 | 9:30 | |||
| Mitsuke | 16:00 19:00 |
| N a g a o k a |
Itoigawa | 18:00 | 11:30 | Use a hall if necessary | |
| Kashiwazaki | 20:00 | 9:00 | Limited to 50 people on 24. The mass on 25 will be for those who could not participate on 24 | ||
| Takada | 17:00 18:30 20:00 21:30 |
8:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners. Pre-registration is required | ||
| Myoko | – | 14:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Tokamachi | – | 10:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Naoetsu | – | – | |||
| Nagaoka | 19:00 | 10:00 | Basically, participation is limited to the parishioners |
| Y a m a g a t a |
Sakata | – | – | 18:15 on 23 |
Precautionary measures against COVID-19 will be taken |
| Tsuruoka | 19:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Yamagata | 18:30 20:00 |
10:00 | Pre-registration is required for 24. Temperature check and registration will be done at the entrance for non-parishioners | ||
| Shinjo | – | – | 14:00 on 27 |
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| Yonezawa | 19:00 | 10:00 | |||
| Nagai | – | – | 14:00 on 27 |
| A k i t a |
Akita | 17:00 19:00 |
10:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners. Temperature check and registration will be done at the entrance | |
| Odate | 19:00 | 10:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Kazuno | 18:00 | 10:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Tsuchizaki | 19:00 | 9:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners. Pre-registration is required | ||
| Noshiro | 19:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Honjo | 19:00 | 9:30 | |||
| Yokote | 19:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners. Pre-registration is required |
We are sorry, but due to precautionary measures against COVID-19, basically participation to the Christmas Masses are limited to the parishioners this year. Please contact your nearest church for more information.