Don Bosco Mission Tonj commemorated the seventh death anniversary of our beloved Fr. John Lee Taeseok

By Fr. Sebastian Koladiyil, SDB

Tonj, South Sudan, 14 January 2017 -- John Lee was a Salesian from South Korea who was born in October 17, 1962, Busan, South Korea. He was a medical doctor by profession. He left his work to become a priest and he joined Salesian congregation. He went as a missionary to South Sudan at the end of his theological studies and he spent the rest of his life there. He was ordained priest in 2000, his priestly life was very short yet intense which he dedicated it for the people of Tonj, South Sudan.

In 2008 he left Tonj for normal home holidays expecting to come back; unfortunately, he was diagnosed with colon cancer that did not give him any other possibility to reach back Tonj.

The Lord gives and Takes:

On 14th Jan 2010 he passed away in Korea leaving his loved ones behind in South Sudan. He shared his love to the people of Tonj through his skills as a doctor, a teacher and Musician. He has changed the face of Tonj with his contagious joy and optimism for that; his legacy will be remembered by all.

On 14th Jan 2017 in Tonj, the memorial day was something different from other events. The parishioners of sacred heart parish in Tonj including youth, mothers, Don Bosco Brass band group and street children came together to commemorate the day.

We began with the procession from Don Bosco clinic to the main church where Eucharistic celebration followed at 8: 00am. After mass, Don Bosco Brass Band marched alongthe street of Tonj in his honor, carrying the picture of their beloved friend Fr. John Lee.

Give joy to the young, the spirit of Fr. John Lee.

Since Don Bosco (the father and friend of youth) worked for the street children, at 1: 00 pm the street kids in Tonj were brought together in to the Mission campus where we had some party games for them just to keep them happy in the honor of Fr. Lee. At 4: 00 pm, there were delicious snacks prepared and served for them. We organized football match among the street kids. They enjoyed very much because they lacked love and care from the community who normally believed street children always smoke, fight, steal and so forth. Our experience with them on that day made us to rethink about our attitude towards them. It is possible to change them if you accept them the way they are with love and respect. We were very much impressed when they narrated their situations in our sharing with them. Some time our condemnation towards them worsens their situation. Fr. John Lee who came from a developed nation was able to accept us them as they were. He was able to fit in with any situation. We thank God for his short and valuable presence in our country.

The occasion was also celebrated by the young people of Tonj, by organizing a football match between Brass band and Tonj Union of Journalist. the Don Bosco Brass Band was awarded as winner of this memorial game. After games at 7:00 pm the eventful day was concluded with a word of prayer.

---

---