From the Province of Korea– Communication of the Celebration of 50 years

Remember the WONDERS GOD has done!

On the 15th of October, 2006, on a clear, typical beautiful Korean autumn day, the RSCJs of Korea celebrated the 50th anniversary of their foundation. From early morning the RSCJs prepared joyfully for the occasion, placing the artistic display of our various apostolates in the garden, carrying flower pots, fixing the banners etc.

Many congratulatory cards from friends all over the world were displayed at the entrance. In front of the cards were the picture of Teresa Loh, one of the 7 foundresses of the Korean Province and the colorful little bags which she made for each one in the Province.

Every one participated in its preparation with great joy and excitement.  About an hour before the mass, the guests started to arrive. They were welcomed with smiles from the gate right up to the hall by the RSCJs old and young and all were so happy to meet each other. There was much laughter and warm embraces.

The celebration began with the solemn mass in the auditorium, with about 700 guests. There were around 37 priests including Cardinal Kim Su Hwan and two bishops, Kim Wun Hoe, the auxiliary bishop of Seoul and Lee Han Tak SJ, the bishop of Uijongbu diocese. Bishop Kim was the main celebrant. With warm greetings expressed how close he was to the Society by few episodes. He did study much who St. Madeleine Sophie was, how she started Sacred Heart education side by side with the school for the poor. Cardinal Kim gave a heartfelt speech at the end of mass, expressing wishes that RSCJs become loving persons whose hearts are closer to the Heart of Jesus. He was close enough to the Society to be able to say that from his heart.

The whole mass flowed smoothly, with a special family spirit. The liturgy was beautiful thanks to the music conducted by the students of the music department of the Catholic University. The men’s Polyphony Ensemble started with Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The second part of the Celebration started with a congratulatory chorus sang by the teachers. Then the audience enjoyed a wonderfully made power-point presentation showing the history of the past 50 years of our life and our apostolates.

At the end Kim Sook Hee, the provincial welcomed each of the guests to the 50th anniversary celebrations. Her long litany of detailed thanks gave rise to much laughter.  Sister Son In Sook from Rome read the congratulatory letter of Clare Pratt, the Superior General.  Teresa Chu, Bishop Lee Han Taek and Kim Jeong Taek, S.J. gave heartfelt congratulatory remarks.

Finally all the guests were invited to a banquet which was prepared at three different places. After all the guests departed, the RSCJs stayed for a special reunion. We thanked the Preparatory Committee and the History Writing Committee. Each overseas invited guest said a word of gratitude and congratulations. We enjoyed the lively songs and dance of the Novices and, of the Candidates, Korean and Chinese. At the end we all held hand in hand and sang ‘O Sacred Heart of Jesus’ in Korean and in English. After this celebration, we are energized to take steps forward to continue our Emmaus journey!

Teresa Chu in her remarks “50 years ago, the Society which came to be rooted in Korea was little like a mustard seed. Now the Society has grown into a big tree, and spreading its branches to educational, spiritual and social apostolates , and even to the disabled and to the laborers. As I look back it is the challenges that helped the tree to grow into a strong tree. I am convinced that the Society in Korea always be small as a mustard seed. Only smaller seeds can be  grown into a big tree and be fruitful… Korea is a small country on the map of the world, but it has a special mission in the international world. “

Kim Sook Hee ended her address with the following words. “ In preparing for the celebration, we recalled the history of the past fifty years and we tried to draw the zeal, deep faith and love from the lives of our Sisters who helped build the mission in Korea. We prayed that our hearts become more like the loving Heart of Jesus. Since now we are fifty, my wish is that it is time to share what we have received with the other countries in Asia and with the International Society as well as the Church in Korea. We count on your prayers. “

 The 50th Anniversary means for me…

For me, the 50th anniversary calls to my mind the feeling of gratitude. My gratitude goes to God who worked very actively, to all the RSCJ who lived ahead, and to all the friends and benefactors who have accompanied our 50 years’ journey. As we celebrate 50 years, I hear the clear call from God  ”Love, and do not be afraid of being hurt to love.” I would like to set off a journey of love with open hearts, not being afraid of being vulnerable. “Love always seeks the ways.”
(Namkung Youngmi rscj)

In celebrating our 50th anniversary a word came to me, ‘this little Society’ which Madeleine Sophie mentioned. After 50 years, the number of the members is not yet 70. Numbers are not important, but we need to look at ourselves more deeply, thank the Lord humbly and live our charism that we are consecrated to glorifying the Heart of Jesus….
(Seung Mai Ja rscj)

A writer wrote that “each and every moment we lived has been history”. Truly the many events, many encounters with people, and the numerous stories seem to me as History. I give reverence to our Sisters who lived before us in Korea, in a land devastated after the Korean War. And our journey will continue…...
(Noh Eun Sook rscj)

Today we, the Korean Province, turned fifty. According to Confucious we have reached the age of "knowing the will of Heaven(知天命). I can say from my own experience that fifty is the time to become friends with self, others, and God more comfortably. I hope that we, as a province, become peaceful with ourselves and with one another through knowing and accepting not only our strengths but also our shadows. This will help us search for the will of God and help us share our life with the whole world which is full of brokenness and suffering. 
(Cho Hyun Sook rscj)

"Tashi han bun jinshimuro kamsahamnida!"  - "once again a thousand thanks"