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Makiko Fujiwara, SNJM

My parents, Makiko Takahashi and John Fujiwara, met at the Minidoka internment camp in Idaho, in 1942. After their release, they moved to Spokane, Washington, where they were married and where I was born. Several years later, our family—now including my sister Diane, our grandparents and uncles—was allowed to return to our hometown of Seattle, Washington.

We lived in South Seattle, where my youngest sister, Theresa, was born. We all attended St. Edward School and Holy Names Academy.

At Holy Names Academy, I greatly admired the Sisters for their sense of service, kindness and joy. Although I resisted at first, I entered the novitiate at Marylhurst, Oregon, in 1963. There, I met some of my lifelong friends. I believe that community life and sharing common goals with other Holy Names Sisters brings me hope and strength each day.

It was during the time of Vatican II that I began classes in theology and spirituality. I am deeply grateful that we were educated with the vision of Vatican II from the beginning. We learned and lived the values of inclusiveness, justice and equal participation for all of God’s people.

After graduating from Fort Wright College in Spokane, I taught primary grades at St. Aloysius in Spokane and at St. Mary’s in Seattle. I then moved into parish ministry, spending seven years at St. James Cathedral in Seattle as Minister for Families and Children. My interest in working with the Spanish-speaking community led me to enroll in a master’s program in pastoral ministry through Boston College, which included one year in San Antonio, Texas. After completing the program, I served as Religious Education Coordinator in Sunnyside, Washington. That time was cut short when I accepted an invitation to serve on the Washington Province leadership team for the Sisters.

Coming full circle, I taught kindergarten and second grade at St. Edward School for 13 years before retiring from full-time teaching.

In response to our Corporate Stand in Support of Migrants and Refugees, I have had the privilege of sharing our home with a refugee woman from Rwanda and, more recently, with a family of three seeking asylum from Russia.

I am most grateful to my family, especially my parents, who inspired me with the values I try to live each day. I feel so blessed by the many people who have touched my life over these 60 years. With a grateful heart, I say thank you.