Seoul, South Korea, 26 May 2021 -- On the liturgical feast of Mary Help of Christians, May 24, during the Eucharist at which Fr. Marcello Baek, Vice-provincial of Korea, presided, 7 new members of ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians) were welcomed in Seoul, capital of South Korea. During the Eucharist in the FMA provincial house chapel (Seoul, Shin-gil-dong) a good number of FMA Sisters were present, represented by their provincial, Sr. Cecilia Kim (5 communities are located in the same compound) and young people who are accompanied by the Salesian Sisters.
The first promised members of Seoul's ADMA group are Ms Maria Yoo, Miriam Kim, Monica Ryoo, Gracia Na, Justina Baek, Teresa Park and Bernard Yoo. They have been prepared by their Spiritual Animator, Sr. Susanna Lee over the past 3 years in weekly formation sessions held in the FMA provincial house, Seoul.
We asked each of the first Seoul ADMA group: What changed in your life after you joined the ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians)?
# During the last 3 years of formation I have studied the ADMA regulations, the Introduction to the Devout Life (St Francis de Sales) and ADMA Online. In this way I have begun to model my life according Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians. My own family is surprised and rejoiced: Our mother changed! Like Mary I'm trying to deal with everything as a 'gentle woman'.
# Since 2018 also my involvement in our parish community has changed a lot: in these challenging pandemic times I am close to the parents of the Sunday school children, reminding them with patience never give up sending their children to the catechism meetings. Without even realizing it, I became not only stronger in faith, but also a consistent 'missionary' among the drifting faithful of our parish.
# Following the spirituality of Don Bosco in daily life, for the past 12 months I have started to make a daily lunch box and share it with some people in need around us. When I witness the joy of those who get this simple lunch box, I feel really very happy and full of joy.
# Yes, after embarking on the ADMA spirituality and formation journey, I see my changing life attitude - especially dedicated more to our family sanctification, started to pray together with my husband and also my recently married daughter with her husband use to follow daily Mass on the Catholic TV (NB lockdown situation)
# 'Mum, you have changed a lot!' - for two years now, after an invitation from my parish friend, I have started to attend the Saturday ADMA formation with the Salesian Sisters. Already during the first formation meeting I listened to an 'Educate like Don Bosco' talk. And it was a cultural shock - a great change in my way of looking at education. It was not about 'competition' or 'who is the best' but it was 'make the children and youth feel that they are loved'. Now, after two years, I realize I have not got all the 'right' answers to my children and my children have realised that their mother has changed with the loving kindness of Don Bosco. When I tell my son or daughter: 'Wow, you have changed! - They reply: "Mum, you have changed!'
With the 7 new ADMA promised members in Seoul, after the first group in Gwangju (2016), there are now two ADMA groups in South Korea, 80 ADMA groups in the EAO region and more than 800 ADMA groups around the world.
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