Top: Province of Korea anniversary logo Bottom: Celebrating the 50th anniversary

The Province of Korea will celebrate its 50th anniversary on October 15, 2006. The year long celebration began with the announcement of the Spiritual Journey on October 16, 2005. During this year of celebration, the members walked the journey together and were involved in writing the History of the Province.

• To make the 50th celebration  an occasion for inner renewal.
• To participate in the Spiritual Journey wholeheartedly.
• To reduce our needs continuing our efforts to be in solidarity with the poor.
• To respond generously to the call of the International Society

Preparation of the 50th Anniversary 
A ‘50th Celebration Committee’ was formed in March of 2005. The first few months were spent gathering the thoughts and ideas about how the Province wanted to celebrate the 50 years anniversary. As usual there were many diverse ideas, hopes and desires. However one of the convergences was that it should be a time for spiritual renewal and deepening of our charism. (Because the 50th anniversary of the Sacred Heart schools will be 2007, special programs related to the schools are planned for next year.)

The goal for the first year (2005) was Gratitude. The members were invited to recognize how joyfully and generously the first missionary Sisters lived in the midst of severe poverty and difficulties, and to give thanks to God for their lives and for all the graces we have been granted all along. The elements of the second year (2006) include:

• The Spiritual Journey
• The History Writing Project
• Celebration of Eucharist and Meal
• A Workshop and a retreat at the Jesumaum Retreat House commemorating the 50 years.

 
Prayer Journey
As the majority of the members wanted the 50th celebration to be an occasion for spiritual renewal and deepening of our charism, the committee planned a spiritual journey for a year. The committee sent out 4 sheets for prayer material each month. Kim Hyo Seung rscj  developed prayer sheets using passages from Luke, Spiritual Journey at the time of Bicentenary, Society Documents, and other Church materials. The prayer sheet was designed for the participants to use for both personal and community prayer. Lay collaborators, associates and friends were invited to walk the spiritual journey together with us and people appreciated it very much. Two series of lectures on the Gospel of Luke were prepared to help the participants deepen their spiritual journey and around 300 people participated in the lectures.

History Writing Project
Kim Jae Sook and Kim Jae Soon are the first two Korean RSCJ members and they represent the living history of the Korean Province. Koh Do Yim, the former Provincial had asked them to write the history of the Province in time for the celebration of the 50 years. The work began 5 years ago, but the real writing started in 2006. After each chapter was written, it was sent to each community. All the members in the community read it together, prayed over it, shared their feedback and sent it to the writing committee. Truly, this common work was a happy process, a time for sharing, learning and becoming one. It was an occasion for remembering the past with gratitude, appreciating the graces of the present, and listening to the calls for the future.

Some comments on the book. “As we were reading the history together, I learned much about the Society and the Province.“ “I was very grateful and amazed at Kim Jae Sook and Kim Jae Soon for their dedication and perseverance.“ I felt very grateful to those who had lived ahead of us with enthusiasm, generosity, love and faith.”,  “ I felt responsible for those who will come after me.” “As we walked prayer journey and history reading together, it seems we already celebrated our 50 years.” , “It seems to me that we need to respond to the calls from Asia and from the International Society.”…

An excerpt from the History:
The community life was not easy from the beginning. At that time water and electricity were not enough. People dug the spot seven times expecting to find water and make a well. Often there was a basin of water with seven members waiting to wash their hands. Those whose hands were less dirty washed their hands first. Electricity was more often off than on. There was no heating and the water in the basin was often frozen.” [Early days of the History of Korea Province]

Celebration of Eucharist
The actual celebration will be on October 15th, 2006. The celebration is composed of a Eucharist, followed by a memorial ceremony and a meal. We hope it will be an occasion to express our gratitude, share our history and express our charism. Around 700 people are expected to come including overseas invited guests, our collaborators, families, friends, church people and those people we encountered on our journey. Among the overseas guests are Son In Sook, General Council, Theresa Chu one of the foundation members, Virginia Rodee, and representatives from the former Far East Province: Keiko Iwai (Japan), Chihwei Sun (Taiwan) and Amelia Vasquez (Philippines). Another foundation member is Sister Loh of the Japan Province, but unfortunately she can not make the trip.

After the memorable celebration the Korea Province will set out a journey for the future with renewed spirit.

Retreat and Workshop
As a way of sharing our charism in this year of celebration, the Jesumaum retreat house prepared a special retreat for the Youth, and also a workshop on “Middle age Crisis and Spiritual Awakening“ given by Columba Kim, a Korean RSCJ belonging to the US Province.

The province of Korea, December 2005

Letter from Clare Pratt rscj to the Province of Korea:

Very dear Sisters,

I am so happy to be able to send you a word of greeting and union as you celebrate the province’s 50th anniversary. Somehow I feel a part of your history since I shared the Kenwood noviceship with two of your “elder sisters”, Kim Jae Soon and Kim Jae Sook. Since both of them were already novices when I entered, Korea has been part of my experience from the first days of my life in the Society!
    
This anniversary offers you the opportunity:

• to remember the past and its lessons, valuing all that has brought you to this moment
• to be grateful for every person who has contributed to the life of the Society in Korea
• to open your doors and your hearts to those who are sharing your journey-your families, alumnae,associates, friends
• to look at the future and all that it holds with confidence and hope
• and finally, to celebrate the Love of the Heart of Jesus who continues to pour out His Spirit on the Province

    I am delighted that Son In Sook is able to participate in this celebration. In her heart she brings the General Council and the whole Motherhouse. Mariado and I shall be celebrating with you from the Province of Congo, Marisa and Jane from the Province of Poland. We shall be on three continents but we shall be ONE-Cor Unum et Anima Una in Corde Jesu! In fact, the whole Society is with you in a spirit of union and gratitude.

Prayer for the 50th Anniversary

Loving Lord,
We give our thanks to you for your steadfast love and care
which you have granted to the Province of Korea during the last 50 years.

We have learned how to love from the open Heart of Jesus.
Through your death on the cross, we have learned the meaning of new life.
Now we join in your joy of Resurrection,
as we celebrate 50 years in Korea.
And we pray that our life and hearts may become ever closer to yours.

May we render praise and glory to You
By living the mission of making known the love of Your Heart
Through all our lives and activities.            

Amen

News of the actual celebration will be sent after October 15th.