I ll go back and say: It was beautiful!

DAEGU PRIORY NEWSLETTER DPN 397 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, South, KOREA April 2016 I ll go back and say: It was beautiful! Back to Heaven I ll go back to heaven again. Hand in hand with the dew That melts at a touch of the dawning day. I ll go back to heaven again. With the dusk, together, just we two, At a sign from a cloud after playing on the slopes. I ll go back to heaven again. At the end of my outing to this beautiful world I ll go back and say: It was beautiful! - By: Sangbyeong Cheon - 1

Tuesday, April 15: The Pray Card for 31 Days of Prayer We know that through our prayer, our prayer for one another, we open space for the Holy Spirit to at and to create this harmony. Somehow we experienced it during our 130 th Jubilee Year of our Congregation through the daily intercession for one of our Priories/ Communities. The Generalate wishes that we continue this prayer for one another. Therefore, each Sister will receive a PRAYER CARD that reminds you of our commitment to open space for the Holy Spirit to create harmony in our Congregation which according to Pope Francis bears the fruit of SHARING and WITNESS. The card serves as a gift from the Generalate to each Sister. Yet, it was the Priory of Daegu who helped us with the design and had it printed in Korea, free of charge. They deserve a special prayer. By: Mother Angela Strobel, OSB Common Letter N.57 Sunday, April 17: Vocations Sunday Vocations Sunday 2016 was celebrated on Sunday 17 April on the theme The Church, Mother of Vocations. Pope Francis has issued a pastoral message under the theme The Church, Mother of Vocations with subtitle Vocations are born within the Church, Vocations grow within the Church, and Vocations are sustained by the Church. 2

With the theme of the Church we had our own title Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing! (Psalm 100:2) Expecting the youths and children to enjoy the day to their hearts, young sisters with junior sisters and the novitiate members prepared a various program for over 450 youths and Sunday School Children from 7 different parishes. The youths and children promoted friendly relations with each other. At 3 PM all attendance assembled in priory chapel and had the Eucharistic celebration with enthusiasm. It was the day to begin to grow the vocation in the hearts of youths and children. 3

Monday-Friday, April25-30: The 11 th BEAO Meeting 2016 (The 11 th Meeting of the Benedictines of East Asia and Oceania) The 11 th Meeting of the Benedictines of East Asia and Oceania was held from April 25-30, 2016 at the Waegwan Benedictine Abbey, Waegwan, Republic of Korea. The title of the meeting was A Benedictine Response to the Encyclical of the Pope Francis LAUDATO SI. The 38 participants were from 5 different countries: China and Taiwan, Japan, Korea (South), the Philippines and Vietnam. From our priory, Prioress Sr. Maoro Sye, Sr. Mary Daniel Park, Sr. Philippa Kwak and Sr. Johann Kang participated the meeting. The first session was the monasteries and priories introduced and reported the life and mission of their communities by 5-7 minutes PowerPoint. The second and third sessions were lectures given by two speakers. The first speaker was Sr. Eli Youngmi Kim on the topic The Ecological Response of the Korean Catholic Church Regarding Modern Society, and the second speaker was Reverend Jiyul, Buddhist Nun on the topic The Ecological Response of Buddhism Regarding Modern Society. In April 27 at 4 PM the participants visited our priory house. They looked around the Benedict Spirituality Center and had snack with Lotus Tea. They visited the Fatima Nursing Home, Scholastica Elderly House, Benedict Education Center and Haesung Kindergarten. They joined the Vespers and were invited to the community dining hall. After dinner they were welcomed by singing of the novitiate members and junior sisters. In return the Filipino Sisters sang for the community. They returned to Waegwan at 8:30 PM. On Thursday after the evaluation and business meeting the participants departed at 10:30 AM for Seoul by bus. They visited the Unification Observation Post in Paju and the Cathedral of Penance and Atonement. On Friday they visited Danggogae, a place of pilgrimage and Myeongdong Cathedral. After lunch they toured the Changdeok-gung palace and had dinner at the Korea House followed by the Folk Performance: the diverseness and richness of Korean music and art performance. 4

On Saturday, April 30 th all the participants returned to their community. But Sr. Ana Maria from Divine Word Hospital, Tacloban of Manila Priory remained to visit Daegu Priory again to visit 2 hospitals: Daegu Fatima Hospital and Changwon Fatima Hospital. Before returning to Daegu again, she wished to visit Seoul Priory to meet sisters who studied in Manila. Since the flight schedule for 6 delegates of BEAO Meeting from the Philippines was at 8 PM, Reverend Father Rafaelito Alaras, Dom Clement Ma. Roque, Brother Reinhard Janeo and 3 Sisters asked to join to visit Seoul Priory. We went to attend the 7 o clock Eucharistic Mass at Seoul Priory House, and had breakfast in the community dining hall. The Prioress Sr. Rose Marie Hwang and the sisters heartily welcomed the visitors. After breakfast sisters guided us to visit the beautiful and well organized Kindergarten, sand play therapy, and other mission activities. Sunday, April 10: Official Visitation of Prioress Prioress Sr. Maoro Sye started Sunday, April 10, to make her official visitation in all 34 houses of Daegu Priory. The official visitation will last for a year; and the oversea houses: Los Angeles and Sao Paulo will have the visitation in the year 2017. Saturday, April 2: Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation Meeting The JPIC Committee Members Sr. Philippa Kwak, Sr. Johann Kang, Sr. Beata Maria Kwak, Sr. Marie Johann Heo, and Sr. Angela Shin had meeting in Darakbang, Priory House; and they shared information and materials. Monday, April 11: Monday Lecture Sr. Hyoseong Chang gave lecture on the topic The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd that she learned when she was in Chicago. The unique approach and inspirational model for catechesis was founded and developed in the 1950s by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti her colleague Gianna Gobbi. Today Catechesis of the Good Shepherd continues to grow rapidly in popularity. Many parishes have adopted the program for their pre-school and primary age children. It is 5

said to be based on the Montessori model of education which has a strong focus on intrinsic learning. The lessons from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are focuses on the Student not the Teacher, the learning must include play and leisure is a requirement for all learning, the model focus on the Eucharist in Catechesis, and it use Physical Objects (Manipulatives). Tuesday, April 12: Joint National Reconciliation Committee of Daegu-Seoul Priory The annual meeting for the Joint National Reconciliation Committee of Daegu-Seoul Priory was held at Seoul Priory. From Daegu Priory, Sr. Hannah Park and Sr. Elisa Hwang attended the meeting and fostered reconciliation discussion and activities. Saturday, April 16: Social Welfare Committee Meeting The Social Welfare Committee Meeting was held in the afternoon at the Priory House. Sisters try to cope with ever changing social welfare policies, the acts, laws and rules that help to improve the lives of people under the care. Monday-Tuesday, April 25-26: Mission Committee Seminar The Mission Committee members prepared 2 sessions of lectures for annual seminar. The 1 st session was held at the Benedict Spirituality Center and 58 members attended the seminar. The lecture was given by Youngsun Kwon and Bokyung Kim on the topic of Nonviolent Communication. The lecture was helpful to understand people and express and receive communication by compassionately connecting with one another through Nonviolent Communication that will transform the relationships and significantly reduce conflicts. Thursday, April 7: National Reconciliation Committee Members of Seoul Archdiocese The Seven Members of the National Reconciliation Committee of Seoul Archdiocese visited the Priory House to search the North Korea History Materials that we keep in our archives. 6

Saturday, April 30: Sr. Ana Maria Raca from Tacloban, the Philippines Sr. Ana Maria Raca, the hospital administrator of the Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban, the Philippines visited the Priory House to stay for few days after the BEAO Meeting in the Waegwan Benedictine Abbey. During her stay she visited our 2 hospital: Daegu Fatima Hospital and Changwon Fatima Hospital. She departed for the Philippines on the 4 th of May. Comings & Goings April 4-May 17: To attend the International Weeks of Encounter 2016 (Rome and Tutzing) the following 7 sisters departed for Rome: Sr. Lea Yu, Sr. Anna Pia Lee, Sr. Julietta Chang, Sr. Anna Yu, Sr. Mary Angel Park, Sr. Liberata Han and Sr. Helena Kim. April: Spring Group Picnics Each group of sisters and the novitiate members went picnic in all different places: The 1 st group went to Palgong mountain on the 18 th, the 2 nd group to Naedo island of Geojedo on the 8th, the 3 rd group to Bogyong temple on the 20 th, the 4 th group to Gangcheon mountain, Sunchang on the 22 nd, the 5 th group to Gyeongbok Palace and Jeoldusan, the pilgrimage place on the 25 th, and the novitiate members went to Kyeongju and Gampo on the 25 th. 7

Wednesday, April 6: Blessing of the Echo Children s House To support the employees who can do their work and care for children and home, Daegu Fatima Hospital had the opening and blessing ceremony for the Echo Children s House. Echo Children s House will provide the developments of children s physical, intellectual and social aspects as well as balanced diet, regular health care, keeping daily cleanliness, safety, security, warm and welcoming environment for children of employees of the hospital. Now the employees are able to come and go to work and home with their children; and they can visit and see their children during lunch time. Tuesday-Friday, April 19-22: Accreditation Survey: The Accreditation Survey of Daegu Fatima Hospital was held from April 19 th to 22 nd by the Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (KOIHA). The Accreditation Survey is done every 4 years when the hospital receives an excellent mark of evaluation; and Daegu Fatima Hospital received an excellent mark of evaluation 4 years ago. The mission of the KOIHA is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organization. The Accreditation Survey is an evaluation of an organization to assess its level of compliance with application KOIHA standards and to make determinations regarding its accreditation status. The survey includes evaluation of documentation of compliance provided by organization staff; verbal information concerning the implementation of standards or examples of their implementation that will enable a determination of compliance to be made; on-site observations by 5 surveyors; and an opportunity for education and consultation regarding standards compliance and performance improvement. The Hospital started to pray 100 days before the Accreditation Survey and offered the Eucharistic Mass; and all the employees got together in one mind to prepare every aspect of KOIHA standards. At total evaluation session, the 5 surveyors commented that We were happy during the survey days for the Excellent Hospital prepared all the KOIHA standards excellently! 8

Tuesday-Friday, April 26-29: Accreditation Survey The Accreditation Survey of Changwon Fatima Hospital was held from April 26 th to 29 nd by the Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (KOIHA). The Accreditation Survey policy is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organization. The 5 surveyors surveyed thoroughly and the employees had to go through hardships, however, it was the time to learn and the employees became one mind to improve and grow themselves as well as the hospital. Saturday, April 30: Sr. Hildegard Lee Received Award Sr. Hildegard Lee, the Director of the Department of Laboratory Medicine was recommended by the Korean Association of Medical Technologists and awarded from Junpyo Hong, the Governor of South Province of Gyeongsang. She has thoroughgoing sense of fulfilment of the mission statements of the Korean Association of Medical Technologists and service, and faithful in her work as well as effort to service improvement. May 14-15, 2016: June 18-19, 2016: The Feast of the Holy Spirit Liturgy Retreat for Youths at Priory House. The First Half of the Year Vocation Discernment Retreat. 9

Thursday, April 14: God Has Called Sr. Benedicta Hong Home Sr. Benedicta (Bum Sook) Hong, OSB was called back to heaven Thursday, April 14, 2016, at Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea. The funeral Mass and liturgy was held at 10 AM, April 16, 2016 in the priory chapel followed by the burial service in the priory cemetery. She was born in Doekwon, South Province of Hamgyeong, North Korea on October 4, 1932 to Euirok and Anna Hong, the youngest child of three boys and three girls. She entered the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory on March 7, 1955, the first candidate in South Korea. She professed first vows on December 8, 1958, and final vows on December 14, 1965. Sister Benedicta was a catechist in parishes. She served as Novice Directress, superior of local houses, and sub-prioress. She was always quiet and gentle and faithful. She was destined to be a nun for she was a beautiful sister! We praise and thank God for the blessing of Sr. Benedicta to whom, with belief in the Resurrection, we say, See you later.! Thursday, April 28: God Has Called Sr. Elisabeth Lee Home Sr. Elisabeth (Hwa Ryun) Lee was called Home at 2:23 AM, Thursday, April 28, 2016 in Infirmary of the Priory House. Her funeral Mass and liturgy was held at 10 AM, April 30, 2016 in the priory chapel followed by the burial service in the priory cemetery. She was born in South Province of Pyeongan, North Korea, on October 1, 1921, to Juntaek and Maria Lee, third child of two boys and three girls. She entered the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, Wonsan Priory on May 9, 1942. She professed first vows on June 18, 1946, and final vows on February 10, 1954 after the Korean War in Daegu, South Korea. After closing of 10

the convent by communist government in North Korea, she had to go through severe painful times and crossed the 38 th parallel and fled to Busan where she met Korean sisters. Sister Elisabeth was a licensed nurse and served in dispensaries, North Korea and later at Daegu Fatima Hospital as a director of the Department of Nursing. After retirement from nursing, she served various ministries until she had cerebral apoplexy. Sr. Elisabeth had a beautiful smile and had a big heart and an abundance of friendship and loves to share. She was faithful and grateful, gracious and encouraging. She never complained as her health deteriorated. Sr. Elisabeth shared her religious life for 70 years with us. Finally, like Mary Magdalene on that first Easter morn, Sr. Elisabeth heard Jesus call her name. May she, like Mary Magdalene, proclaim, I have seen the Lord! A Letter from Heaven When tomorrow starts without me, And I m not here to see, If the sun should rise and find your Eyes, filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn t cry, The way you did today. While thinking of the many things, We didn t get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time you think of me, I know you ll miss me too. When tomorrow starts without me, Don t think we re far apart, For every time you think of me, I m right there in your heart. 11

that in all things God may be glorified (Pt 4:11) Newsletter: daegupriorynews@daum.net Homepage: www.benedictine.or.kr 12