DAEGU PRIORY NEWSLETTER DPN 383 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, S. KOREA February 2015 Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents from over disaster. - Joel 2:12-13 1
Tuesday, February 10: Celebration of Final Profession Religious profession is the most significant act of the meeting between God and the Sister who offers herself to Him and His people. On the Feast of St. Scholastica the Eucharistic Celebration for the Final Profession of Sr. Macrina Oh, Sr. Marie Enoch Kim, Sr. Deborah Yu, and Sr. Marie Sohwa Yoon was held at 11 AM Tuesday, February 10 th in the chapel of Daegu Priory House. The Mass was officiated by the Reverend Abbot Blasio Park, OSB and 17 priests co-celebrated the Mass. The Sisters from all parts of the country and over 650 families, relatives, friends, and guests of four Sisters of Final Profession were present at the Mass. The participants were moved by a solemn and stirring moment to make their vows to follow Jesus their whole life. It was most joyful and memorable to see the affirmation and warmth radiating from the Final Professed Sisters as Abbot Blasio, the Concelebrants, Sisters, family members and friends congratulated them. 2
Monday, February 9: Celebration of First Profession The Eucharistic Celebration of the First Profession of Novice Juliana Ki was held at 7 AM Monday, February 9th in the chapel of Daegu Priory House. The Reverend Father Dionysius Park, OSB officiated at the Mass. After making her First Profession, Juliana was given the religious name as Sr. Jehoshua. Sunday, February 8: Initiation Ceremony to the Novitiate The ceremony for the initiation of the two-year novitiate for two postulants Sohwa Theresa (Hyejeong) Lee and Cecilia (Minkyung) Choi was held at 5:05 PM Sunday, February 8 th in the community room. In the happy mood of two new novices, the Sisters of the community stood to express our gratitude to God for the vocation of new novices and deep sense of gratitude to God for our own vocation. Monday, February 2: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord 3
Jesus is the Son of God who created the world and He was the Temple Himself and yet His parents brought Him to the temple to observe the rule of the time. We the Sisters all consecrated again to follow Jesus Christ the true Light in a radical way, in poverty, chastity and obedience and met Him through the Candlemas holding each sister the lighted candles. Wednesday, February 18: Ash Wednesday Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19 Ash Wednesday at the beginning of lent, ashes was blessed during the Holy Mass, after the homily, and the blessed ashes was then "imposed" on the forehead of the sisters. After the Eucharistic celebration the community assembled in the community room and each sister received a book with the paper written by each sister to do loving practices during the Lenten Season. This Ash Wednesday was a lot different than other years since 11 sisters from St. Scholastica Local House and the sisters who were in the annual retreat joined the Ash Wednesday ceremony. Thursday, February 19: Celebration of the Lunar New Year Seollal Seollal, the Lunar New Year (January 1 of the lunar calendar) is one of the most celebrated national holidays in Korea. This year, Seollal falls on February 19 of the Gregorian calendar right after the Ash Wednesday and in the beginning of the Lent. However, since the Seollal is more than just a holiday to mark the beginning of a new year, Seollal is truly a special occasion for Korean people. Not only is it a time for paying respect to ancestors, but it is also an opportunity to catch up with distant family members who travel home to get together for this special occasion. During Seollal, Koreans traditionally wear hanbok, the traditional clothes, perform ancestral rites, play folk games, eat traditional foods, listen to stories, and catch up with one another. 4
Thursday, February 19: Reverend Father Alois Seuferling, OSB was called to Heaven In February 19 th at 4:00 AM, Reverend Father Alois Seuferling, OSB (83 years old), a member of the St. Benedict Monastery in Waegwan was called to heaven. He was one of the confessors for many years at the Priory House. Father Alois was entered the Munsterschwarzach Abbey. After his final profession and ordination, he was sent for the Korean mission in 1958. In February 16 th he was discharged from the hospital. On the way to his monastery, he stopped at the Priory House and gave confession to the sisters. He loved to come to the Priory House every month to give confession to the sisters; and he always gave penance to pray for priests. After confession we served him two pieces of cheese cakes with hot tea and he loved them. He used say that it is the only occasion he could enjoy the cheese cakes every month. We will miss him very much! May he rest in the arms of our Lord! Tuesday-Saturday, February 24-28: Baking the Easter Cookies It was a bit early to bake the Easter Cookies starting from February 24 th to 28 th. However, since the community has to go through the three sessions of the discernment process for the nomination of the Prioress starting March 9 th to 18 th, we had to bake the cookies early. Sisters including Sisters of Scholastica Local House and the novitiate members helped each other and enjoyed in tasting the Easter beforehand. Wednesday, February 4: Visit of Daegu Fatima Hospital New Employees In Wednesday, February 4 th, new employees interns, nurses, and paramedical workers visited the Priory House. They were welcomed by Prioress Sr. Lumen Choi, OSB who gave a welcome address. Then, they watched the Priory History video followed by delicious snacks. 5
After snacks Sr. Madeleine Yu guided them to the chapel, surrounding old and new buildings and garden. We wish and pray that the healing mission of Jesus were engraved in the minds of new employees. They were really impressed by newly constructed buildings, especially the Haeseung Kindergarten and its interior designs and furnishings. Sunday, February 8: Visit of Kindergarten Teachers The 54 members of the preschool education committee of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing Daegu Priory were participated the Montessori Education Seminar held in the Haeseung Kindergarten. They attended the morning Eucharistic Mass at the chapel of the Priory House. Sunday, February 15: Visit of Chojeon Parish Catechumens The 7 catechumens of Chojeon Parish Church led by Sr. Marie Fiat Park visited the Priory House and joined the noon prayer. Since it was the first time they were visiting the monastery, they were impressed by the praying sisters. Thursday, February 26: Visit of Military Parish Priest The Daejeon Military Parish Priest Reverend Father Chunghyun Simeon Yu and Sr. Marie Jonah Kim stopped at the Priory House on the way back to Daejeon from the Naval Academy in Jinhae. They visited Prioress Sr. Lumen Choi and Sub-prioress Sr. Christina Moon. Saturday, February 28: Visit of Daegu Fatima Hospital New Nurses The 60 new nurses of Daegu Fatima Hospital held 1 day retreat in Saturday, February 28 th at the Benedict Spirituality Center. Most of them had no faith; however, after joining the noon prayer, they started to think about the meaning of faith. Comings & Goings Sunday, February 15: Sr. Cecil Jo departed for the Casa, Rome after one month of retreat. Sunday, February 15: Postulant Caritas Park returned from 8 months of sick leave. Friday, February 20: Sr. Lumina Kim, Junior Sister departed for Manila Priory to have the Mission Experience. 6
Monday, February 16: Graduation Ceremony of Haeseung Kindergarten Haeseung Kindergarten celebrated at 10AM on Monday, February 16 th in the new hall of Haeseung Kindergarten building. The principal of the Kindergarten Sr. Editha Lee presented each with a certificate. The program was followed with cake and punch being served in the hall. Parents, relatives, teachers, and sisters were so proud of the graduates. Wednesday-Friday, February 18-27: Group B Novices 8-Day Bible Retreat As ending the Canonical Novice Year for Group B Novices Agnes Ahn and Julia Lee, they had the Lectio Divina 8-Day Bible Retreat from Wednesday, February 18 th to Friday, February 27 th. They will start their second Novice Year from March 1 st and they will start to learn the theology at the Catholic Theological Institute. February: Installation Ceremony for New Superiors The blessing and installation of seven Sisters were held as local superiors in seven different communities during the month of February. They are as follow: Date of Installation Name of Superior Name of Local House Sunday, February 22 Sr. Laeta Bae Changwon Fatima Monday, February 23 Sr. Marcella Ha Benedict Spirituality Center Sr. Im-I Theresa Cheong Weolpyeongdong Tuesday, February 24 Sr. Timothea Jeong Heungdeok Wednesday, February 25 Sr. Marie Ephrem Kim Beommuldong Thursday, February 26 Sr. Aquinata Lee Sinpyeongdong Sr. Amica Kim Hyeonggokdong Many Sisters accompanied Prioress Sr. Lumen Choi for the installation ceremonies in seven different communities and witnessed the official promise to foster community spirit and promote the sisters well-being and missionary service. 7
Monday-Wednesday, February 23-March 4: Postulant Group B New Testament Through Reading Retreat The Postulant Group B, Catherina Choi and Vincentia Kim had the Through Reading New Testament Retreat from Monday, February 23 rd to Wednesday, March 4 th. After their retreat they said they had deeper insight in the New Testament! Saturday, February 28: Moving Into the Scholastica Building (New Elderly House) The newly constructed buildings are beautifully located behind the Priory House and right front of the mountains. Our 12 starting member Sisters were moved into the Scholastica Local House (New Elderly House) on Saturday, February 28 th. They were appointed in February 10 th ; however, they had to stay at the Benedict Spirituality Center to prepare to move in. The Sisters are assigned for various missions. Among the 12, 2 for Kindergarten, 5 for Nursing Home, 1 for Education Center, 1 for Oblates Office, 1 for Liturgy and garden, 1 for Bible School of the Episcopal Vicariate-4 of Daegu Archdiocese, and Superior. All of them are very busy to furnish necessary furniture, equipment, and office materials, etc. for the Nursing Home called Fatima Home and the Elderly Sisters House called Scholastica Home. Fatima Home is expected to accept the residence in May as well as the elderly Sisters in Scholastica Home. Saturday-Tuesday, February 7-10: The Retreat for the Spring Entrants The retreat for the Spring Entrants Maria Hwang, Rosaria Seung, and Stephania Kim were held from Saturday, February 7 th to Tuesday, February 10 th at the Priory House. We sincerely wish and pray for their vocation and hope to meet them in March in the community. 8
Vocation Ministry Programs in March Wednesday, March 4: Every Tuesday 7 PM: (Starting in March) Saturday, March 14-15: Ceremony for the Spring Entrants Youth Lectio Divina Assembly Melete Practice with New Testament Place: Benedict Convent in Gongpyeongdong Bene-In Retreat for Seoul Area Place: St. Joseph Monastery Wednesday, February 11: The 23 rd World Day of the Sick With the theme of this year taken by the Pope Francis from Job 29:15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, Daegu Fatima Hospital celebrated the twenty-third World Day of the Sick on Wednesday, February 11 th with various events for inpatients as well as outpatients. Dakjongie doll (Korean paper crafts) exhibition, wild flower and scenery photo exhibition by Dr. Sangyun Kim, Department of Surgery, a classic concert, and the CEO and the Director of Medicine delivered a souvenir engraved hospital logo to each patient and prayed for their quick recovery. Thursday-Wednesday, February 5-11: The PR Briefing for Korean Medical Tourism Daegu Fatima Hospital held the PR Briefing of the Medical Tourism from Thursday-Wednesday, February 5 th to 11 th in the areas of new capital Astana and old capital Almaty of Kazakhstan. Dr. Youngho Jo, OS and Dr. Haechang Jo, GS held a brilliant Masterclass in which they demonstrated the excellent medical skills. The hospitals in Astana and Almaty and Daegu Fatima Hospital agreed to construct the telemedicine in order to provide clinical health care at remote and distance areas. 9
Thursday, February 26 Sunday, March 1: The Joint PR Briefing for Korean Medical Tourism Daegu Fatima Hospital held the Joint PR Briefing of the Medical Tourism with the City of Daegu from Thursday, February 26 th to Sunday, March 1 st in the areas of the Vladivostok, Russia. The PR Briefing Team went through the field marketing and had B2B meeting with the local agent. At the local hospital (NEVRON) Dr. Naeyun Park, GYN proceeded medical care and gave consulting to patients. Tuesday, February 17: The First Graduation of Fatima Children s House The Fatima Children s House was opened in March 2012. The First Graduation Ceremony for Kiryel Im and Sungwon Shin was held on Tuesday, February 17 th at the Hospital Chapel. They marched in holding lighted candle and in the touching and happy mood the First Graduation Ceremony was started with the Liturgy of Word by the Chaplain of the Pastoral Care Service, Reverend Father Haewon Im. After the Liturgy of Word, the principal of the Children s House Sr. Candida Kim presented each with the graduation and honor certificates. The program was followed with Graduation Song by the children; and parents, relatives, teachers, and sisters gave big and warm applause in praying and blessing for their new start. Sunday, February 8: The Assembly of Third Group of Oblates The Third Group of Oblates assembled on 1:30 PM Sunday, February 8 th at the auditorium of Priory House to prepare their First Oblation Profession in March 21-22. The Assistant Director of Oblates Sr. Anna Maria Cheong gave lectures on the Meaning of Oblation and taught how to use the Daily Prayer Book. 10
Sunday, February 22: The Assembly of First and Second Group of Oblates The Second Group of Oblates assembled on 1:30 PM Sunday, February 22nd at the auditorium of Priory House for the monthly lecture given by the Director of Oblates Sr. Agatha Kim. The title of lecture was the Consecrated Life and the Psalm 132. Sr. Agatha brought attention that the Benedictine Oblates seek God in association with a monastic community and grow in love of God, neighbor, and self. that in all things God may be glorified (Pt 4:11) Newsletter: osb_news@hanmail.net Homepage: www.benedictine.or.kr 11