This is to inform the public about 2021 Christmas Masses at Catholic churches in the Niigata, Yamagata and Akita prefectures.
Once again, this year, we are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to various restrictions that have been in place for a long time, many have been placed in a difficult situation, both materially and spiritually.
Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. On a dark night during her travels, Mary, an expectant mother in her last month of pregnancy, gives birth to her son Jesus in a manger because no one offered her a room to stay in. This scene shows us the hope that shines in the darkness of despair, the dignity of life no matter how small and weak a child is, and an overflowing love no matter how inferior the circumstances are. Christmas is a time that conveys the message of love and hope to us in the midst of difficulties, and makes us think about the importance of life.
I would like to see as many people as possible attend Christmas Mass, but many Catholic churches limit the participation to Christmas Mass in order to avoid over-crowding. If you would like to attend the Christmas Mass, please check the following information and contact the church you wish to go to.
We pray that this Christmas may be filled with the light of hope and God’s love for you.
Paul Daisuke Narui, SVD
Bishop of Niigata
Catholic Niigata Diocese Christmas Masses 2021
| Church | ２４ | ２５ | After 25th | Note | |
| N i i g a t a |
Aoyama | 19:00 | 10:00 | ||
| Kameda | – | – | 15:00 on 26th | Participation is limited to the parishioners | |
| Shirone | – | – | |||
| Terao | 19:00 | 6:45 9:30 |
Participation is limited to the parishioners As a rule, the elderly participate on the 25th |
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| Niigata | 20:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the parishioners of Niigata parish | ||
| 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 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Murakami | – | – | 10:30 on 26th | Participation is limited to the parishioners | |
| Tochio | – | 11:00 | Face mask is required for those who attend | ||
| Niitsu | 19:00 | 9:30 | Face mask is required for those who attend | ||
| Mitsuke | 19:00 | – | Face mask is required for those who attend |
| N a g a o k a |
Itoigawa | 18:00 | 11:30 | Face mask is required for those who attend | |
| Kashiwazaki | 20:00 | 9:00 | |||
| Takada | 18:00 19:30 21:00 |
10:30 | Face mask is required for those who attend Participation is limited to the parishioners. (participation is not allowed for those who come from outside the prefecture) |
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| Myoko | – | 14:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners | ||
| Tokamachi | – | 10:00 | |||
| Naoetsu | 20:00 | 9:00 | Participation is limited to the Naoetsu parishioners | ||
| Nagaoka | 19:00 | 9:30 | Participation is limited to the parishioners |
| Y a m a g a t a |
Sakata | – | – | 18:45 on 23rd | |
| Tsuruoka | 19:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the Tsuruoka parishioners On the 25th, people who have stayed in Shonai for one month can participate |
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| Yamagata | 18:30 | 10:00 | 13:00 on 26th | All masses are limited to 60 people. The mass at 13:00 on the 26th is for the Vietnamese |
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| Shinjo | 19:15 | – | Limited to 30 people | ||
| Yonezawa | 19:00 | 10:00 | |||
| Nagai | – | – | 14:00 on 26th |
| A k i t a |
Akita | 16:30 19:00 |
10:00 | Pre-registration is required. Participation is limited to the parishioners | |
| Odate | 19:00 | 10:00 | Participation is limited to the Ohdate parishioners | ||
| Kazuno | 18:00 | 10:30 | Participation is limited to the Kazuno parishioners | ||
| Tsuchizaki | 19:00 | 9:30 | Participation is limited to the Tsuchizaki parishioners. Pre-registration is required |
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| Noshiro | 19:00 | 10:00 | Ordinary restrictions apply | ||
| Honjo | 19:00 | 9:30 | |||
| Yokote | 19:00 | 10:00 | As a rule, participation is limited to the Yokote parishioners Those who come from other parishes need to leave their contact number |
We have been implementing precautionary measures against COVID-19. Please contact your nearest church for more information.