Father Kano

24Oct
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

-Luke 10:25-28


Today, the Episcopal Church celebrates the “Saint of Nebraska and Colorado” — The Reverend Hiram Hisanori Kano. Father Kano ministered to Japanese Americans in western Nebraska and Colorado. 


On December 7, 1941, Father Kano had just celebrated Eucharist in North Platte, Nebraska. As he drove the 180-mile journey back to his wife and children, he was arrested and sent to the district attorney in Omaha. The news of the Pearl Harbor attack played on the radio of the police car that transported him.


Due to his family ties in Japan and his ministry to Japanese Americans, Father Kano was given a “Class A” rating, labeling him as the “most potentially dangerous Japanese American.”


Despite his and his bishop’s pleas, Father Kano spent the next two years in a Japanese internment camp. During that time, he taught Agricultural Studies and English. He continued his ministry work as he served other Japanese Americans and American soldiers who had been imprisoned for being AWOL. 


After the war, Father Kano could not return to Nebraska, as many feared his reputation had been damaged. He went to Wisconsin, completed his Divinity studies, and returned to Nebraska in 1946.


He became a U.S. citizen in 1952, once the law permitted. He also helped 100% of Nebraska’s Japanese population become citizens. Forty years later, the U.S. government acknowledged the unjust treatment of Japanese Americans during the war and offered reparations. Father Kano refused the money, saying, “God was still using me at that time to preach the Gospel.”


Father Kano is one of a multitude that stand as examples of the Gospel and its sustaining power. I pray we can be inspired by his story and the stories like these that still exist in the world around us. 


Musical Reflection - The Blessing - Asian American Christian Collaborative


God of compassion, you have reconciled us in Jesus Christ who is our peace: Enable us to live as Jesus lived, breaking down walls of hostility and healing enmity. Give us grace to make peace with those from whom we are divided, that, forgiven and forgiving, we may ever be one in Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns for ever, one holy and undivided Trinity. Amen.

PeaceGospelHealing

Posted by The Reverend Robert B. Hadzor

Bobby has served as the chaplain of Trinity Episcopal School since 2012 and as an Assisting Priest of Trinity Episcopal Church since 2018. He grew up in Dallas, Pennsylvania before moving to Franklin, Tennessee as a teenager. He attended Belmont University in Nashville where he graduated (2007) with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Philosophy.

Bobby attended Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina where he graduated (2010) with a Masters of Divinity and an Anglican Studies Certificate from Duke Divinity’s Anglican House of Studies. During his time in seminary, he joined the Episcopal Church and was confirmed (2009) at St. Joseph's Episcopal in Durham, North Carolina by then Bishop of North Carolina, The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry.

Following his work in seminary, Bobby moved to Boston where he worked for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. He spent a year working with the interfaith communities throughout the greater Boston area and raised awareness on topics pertaining to social justice issues. He was a faithful member of Boston's "Common Cathedral", an outdoor church that met in the Boston Common and served those experiencing homelessness in the city.

In 2011, Bobby moved to New Orleans and undertook a year of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE Certification) at East Jefferson General Hospital. While serving at EJGH, he became a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. In 2012, he began his Discernment for Ordained Ministry in the Diocese of Louisiana. In 2014, Bobby joined St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Metairie where he continued his spiritual growth and discernment process under the mentorship of The Very Reverend A.J. Heine, Jr.

Bobby was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on May 17, 2017, at St. Augustine’s. Later that year, Bobby was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at Trinity Episcopal Church during a special school-day service that included the entire student body of Trinity Episcopal School.

Bobby married his wife Julie on January 6, 2018, at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans. Julie currently works for Tulane University’s Campus Planning Office. Bobby and Julie are avid travelers and are frequently planning, or preparing, for their next adventure in the world. They have made their home in New Orleans and enjoy participating in the numerous events of the city, including their favorite event of the year, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

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