Catholics' Evangelization Drive Draws Hundreds Of Newcomers
Seoul (AsiaNews/Ucan) - A parish in South Korea has welcomed more than 600 catechumens thanks to parishioners' evangelizing efforts and the parish priest's mission program.
Parishioners of Taechon-dong Church in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul, welcomed the 607 potential future parishioners during the last Sunday Mass. The catechumens, who have expressed a desire to join the Catholic Church, are expected to be baptized next Easter, but first they must complete catechism classes.
A parishioner credited the "surprisingly" large number of catechumens to the parish's mission campaign, "New Family for God," which started in May.
Theresa Kim Suk-kyong, president of the parish's Committee of Small Christian Communities (SCCs), told that the campaign not only achieved this surprising success but also boosted morale and strengthened parishioners' faith. "Although 600 catechumens came to join the welcoming ceremony on Sunday, as of today, the number has grown to more than 700. I expect some more to come," said Kim.
About 1,200 people interested in becoming Catholics signed up during the three-month campaign, for which parishioners canvassed their neighborhoods and distributed application forms, Kim said. "The enormous success was due to the systematic mission plan and parishioners' active participation," she added. She said the plan also included home visits and "street mission" projects by members of devotional groups. The parish also set up a mission committee and held a seminar on finding "new families" in June. In July an "invitation day for neighbors" attracted about 700 people to the parish church. The program included an introduction to Catholicism, musical performances and dinner.
Father Matthias Kang Jeong-keun, parish priest of Taechon-dong Church, told that the concern of the mission campaign is not only "future" parishioners but also "present" Catholics who need to be convinced that mission is important. "Several hundred 'newcomers' resulted from the strong conviction of Catholics," he noted.
The priest said "70 special teachers" have been appointed to accompany catechumens from before their Baptism until they receive Confirmation. They will teach them to pray, to reflect on the Bible and to attend Mass.
Cecilia Yoo Ok-hee, president of the mission committee, told that since most people involved in the campaign were married women and mothers, they had to care for their families as well as work on the campaign. "Some had to spend 2-3 days a week for the campaign from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. I felt sorry at that time for my husband and children, but they supported me because we are a Christian family," she explained.
Some people rebuffed the campaigners, who visited homes and approached people on the street, with indifference or sarcasm.
According to a parish official, the parish has 4,865 parishioners registered, but only 1,400 people regularly attend Sunday Mass.
South Korea population is 46,818,000. Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea statistics put the number of Catholics at 4.4milion: regular Massgoers at 26.9 percent, while "non-practicing Catholics" numbered 35.7 percent.
The bishops' conference defines non-practicing Catholics as baptized Catholics who do not receive the Sacrament of Penance at Christmas or Easter for three consecutive years. This is monitored through "Confession cards" that Catholics are required to turn in on these occasions.
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12/02/2016 15:14
14/04/2005
