yet even now, declares the lord, return to me with all...
TRANSCRIPT
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DAEGU PRIORY NEWSLETTER
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DPN 383 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Daegu Priory, S. KOREA February 2015
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“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 –
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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 10th
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.
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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 8th
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
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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.
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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 16th
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 24th
to 28th
. However,
since the community has to go through the three sessions of the discernment process for the
nomination of the Prioress starting March 9th
to 18th
, 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.
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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 28th
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.
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Monday, February 16:
Graduation Ceremony of Haeseung Kindergarten
Haeseung Kindergarten celebrated at 10AM on Monday, February 16th
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 18th
to Friday, February
27th
. They will start their second Novice Year from March 1st 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.
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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 23rd
to Wednesday, March 4th
. 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 28th
. They
were appointed in February 10th
; 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
7th
to Tuesday, February 10th
at the Priory House. We sincerely
wish and pray for their vocation and hope to meet them in
March in the community.
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Vocation Ministry Programs in March
Wednesday, March 4: Ceremony for the Spring Entrants
Every Tuesday 7 PM: Youth Lectio Divina Assembly
(Starting in March) “Melete Practice” with New Testament
Place: Benedict Convent in Gongpyeongdong “Bene-In”
Saturday, March 14-15: Retreat for Seoul Area
Place: St. Joseph Monastery
Wednesday, February 11:
The 23rd 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 11th
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 5th
to 11th
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.
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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 26th
to Sunday, March 1st 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 17th
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 8th
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.
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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: [email protected]
Homepage: www.benedictine.or.kr