Columban Lay Missionary, Korea
“A
church that sees itself as missionary through and through – always going out,
reaching out to the margins [is a church that] lives and breathes a ”culture of
encounter“ in order to communicate the gospel. “ - Pope Francis
I
have been sincerely trying to live out those words of Pope Francis. I would say
my mission in Korea has been really inspiring, life-giving, self-transforming
and truly challenging. I always claim that I am an introverted person who becomes
an extrovert when I am on my mission. I cannot simply hide in my comfort zone
just because of the language; I need to encounter people of different
nationalities and lis-ten to their beautiful, sad or happy, life stories
whether in Korean, English, Tagalog or Cebuano. I am so humbled by the trust
they had given me and am forever grateful.
In
my previous ministry in Bongilchon Parish, I had been teaching catechism
classes to the youth group. My real challenge was how to journey with the group
whose primary concern was their studies and would consider attending the youth
mass as an option. I asked them what they do every day and what they consider
special about it. One answered “Well, we go from home to school, then to
another school, and then back home again. Nothing special” The rest nodded
their heads in agreement. I acknowledged their answer, and encouraged them that
by coming to church every Saturday, reading the Mass readings, serving at the
altar and singing in the choir for our youth mass is indeed doing something special.
I received smiles from their faces as we said our closing prayer thanking God
for all the special moments in our lives. I hope that God will increase and
strengthen their faith as they continue their service to God.
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| With Overseas Filipino Workers during Migrants Day celebration |
I
also facilitate an English Bible Sharing with a few parishioners in the parish.
We would read the gospel in English, and during the sharing, they can speak
their own language. On one occasion after the sharing, a woman came up to me
and said “Thank you Luda, you give me hope for my husband. I will never cease
praying that eventually, he too will worship God with me during the Eucharistic
celebration.” I was moved by her deep desire for her husband to know God and I
pray that God may strengthen her and for her to continue to be inspired by our
bible sharing to live out her faith.
Earlier
this year, I was assigned to St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon parish, Ui-jeungbu diocese.
With the support of our parish priest, Fr. Joseph Jang, and the parishioners I
am peacefully and joyfully serving God’s people. During weekends I spend my
time at Paju EXODUS Migrant Center relating to the migrants and our
multicultural families. It has always been a blessing for me to be with them.
Every person I meet inspires me, especially on how to live–out that “culture of
encounter” faithfully.
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| With youth from different Korean parishes attending the peace education |
One
day, I was asked to meet with a migrant couple who came to Korea for work. The
wife was pregnant with their second child and, due to their difficult family
circum-stances, was considering terminating her pregnancy. That situation
brought me back to my own, very personal, experience when my mother, due to
financial instability, had also considered aborting me. Thankfully she changed
her mind and was very happy when she delivered me. Sharing my very own
experience and faith in God with them, I was able to help them reflect very
carefully on their decision and other options available to them, and look
beyond their current difficulties and see Gods greater plan. Just 2 months ago,
they gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Praise God!
I'm mid-way through my second term, but it feels like I haven't accomplished all I had hoped to do. I feel like I always begin and never quite finish. It is a constant challenge. But God's words from Acts of the Apostles, "When he came and saw he grace of God, he rejoiece, and he exhorted tham all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." comforts me and empowers my zeal to communicate the gospel to God's people. My heart has felt how much God appreciates my simple acts of love and to Him, I am forever grateful. Amen.
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