The Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies asked Father John Joseph Puthenkalam and Father Masayuki Semoto to offer a mass in commemoration of the 8th anniversary of its founding and the 100th anniversary of Sophia University. The Mass was held in the chapel of Kultur-Heim on March 21 and attended by 22 people including faculty and staff members, students, Dean of the Graduate School of Philosophy and Dean of the Graduate School of Theology. The organ played by Professor Masaharu Yagishita provided a beautiful sound of background music to the ceremony.
Professor Toyoaki Washida, Dean of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies gave his opening speech as follows: “Our Graduate School was established in 2005 in observation of Catholic faith and the educational principle of the Society of Jesus. We are determined to foster talented students who can meet the challenges of global environmental issues. And this April we have grown into a solid graduate program in which 120 students are engaged in their studies. I would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who has supported us in every step of the way. We are praying for our further development.”
In the Mass, Father Puthenkalam and Father Semoto paid tribute to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and also prayed for the success in the newly established International Graduate Course in Global Environmental Studies. They have also created an occasion in which prayers were offered to the staff and their family members for their well-being.
