PETER KIM, SVD

29th August (Friday) - PETER KIM was already far advanced in his theological studies when he decided to leave for good the diocesan seminary in Korea. He said he wanted to explore the world outside. So he went to the Philippines to start his new life.

However, in the Philippines he continued to attend Mass everyday. Then one day, by chance he found a brochure about the SVDs of Christ the King seminary (Manila). The brochure attracted him. He also met a Korean religious sister who was very good to him. The Sister advised Peter to consider returning to the seminary. She informed him that he could continue his theology studies in Korea for there’s also an SVD seminary there. (Photo above, Peter & Dom F).

So in 1996 Peter returned to Korea to enter the SVD. Upon his return home, however, he met a serious car accident. He suffered a dislocation of his neck, pelvis, and internal organs. He was hospitalized for nine months. But he was allowed to make his postulancy program in the hospital. The following year, 1997, he made his novitiate in the SVD house followed by his first vows in 1998. Later he was assigned to continue his theology at DMC, Melbourne. Then he made his OTP in PNG in 2000-2001, after which he came back to YTU to earn a diploma on pastoral ministry.

His first missionary assignment (2002) was to PNG. He’s still there, now on his 6th year at the parish of Pumakos, Wabag Diocese. Though deprived of many luxuries and conveniences of life, he’s very happy in his ministry and never regretted it.

In his spare time, he reads spiritual books. During his short stay with us at DMC, he bought a stack of books worth $230, e.g. various homily books and other spiritual books. He says he faithfully does his daily meditation and also does spiritual reading everyday. (Photo above right, Peter with the books he purchased).

Peter's WORDS OF ADVICE to those in formation:

1. Be what you are: a good student, missionary brother or priest.
2. Remember that you are a spiritual leader, not a politician or social worker. People are hungry for spiritual food; so prepare good homilies or sermons.
3. Observe internal discipline, i.e. live an orderly life. People assume that a priest or religious is another Christ. So be like Him! ~

Bosco & Peter

DMC UPDATE

23rd-31st (Sat-Mon)
Wim Valckx is presently at Ballarat (Vic) to substitute for the chaplain of Nazareth House, Kevin Condon, OP, who went on home-leave.

23rd-24th (Sat-Sun)
Henry A. went to Brisbane to visit Alexi Tupun in his pastoral work there.

26th August (Mon)
Bob Mendoza, member of the live-in community of JSC goes to visit his family in Sydney, NSW.

Henry A went to Sydney, NSW, for important matters on formation.

Dom F celebrated Mass at DMC at 10am for some residents of the Retirement village. The weekly Masses (Tuesdays) which Wim Valckx initiated.

28-29 August (Thurs-Fri)
Tim N, our province leader, was at DMC for some YTU and some other matters.

30th August (Sat)
The DMC community will hold its regular monthly meeting at 9:30am.

John Prior returns from Balaton, Hungary, where he attended a conference of the IAMS (International Assoc for Mission Studies).

31st August (Sunday) – The monthly gathering of ‘Returned Missionaries’ is held at 6-9pm. C/o Larry N.

REFLECTION

St. Augustine, whose feast is on the 29th August, is the most significant personality in the history of the Western Christian tradition. He wrote 113 books, 800 sermons, and 250 letters. We could summarize his voluminous writings in the short verse he wrote:

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in you (God)!”

Without God in our life, we can never be truly happy inside!

MICHAEL KNIGHT and DMC RECOLLECTION

15th-16th August 2008 - Our quarterly recollection started with a short reflection on the night before followed by a silent adoration of the Eucharist. After that, all retired for the night in solitude.

In the morning we had two talks: one on St. Arnold and another on St. Joseph (Freinademetz).

Talk 1 - St. Arnold was considered a very ordinary person. Many thought him to be “incapable of founding a society.” Others even said that he was a “wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time.” But contrary to what people thought, he was the founder the Society of the Divine Word for religious priests and brothers; co-founder of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit (the active and the contemplative). Paramount to him was his complete trust in God and his will, not what people thought or said of him.

Talk 2 - St. Joseph, on the contrary, soon had the reputation of a saint with a smile on his face. At first, Joseph didn’t like the Chinese people, but then eventually learned to like them. At the end, he ate their food, spoke their language, dressed like them, and wanted to be a Chinese even in heaven.

Michael spiced his presentation with his personal experiences, e.g. when he had to face his own weakness and limitation, like Arnold and Joseph.

We ended at 4pm on Saturday with the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Mike Knight himself. Thus we ended our recollection happily combined with the Centennial celebration Arnold and Joseph death anniversaries! ~