By Bro. Hilario Seo, SDB
Kwangju, Korea, October 30, 2015 - The old Korean Salesians known as the ‘Senior Club’ held its regular gathering in the Sinandong community in Kwangju last October 30. This gathering started in 1999 targeting the old Salesians ageing 70 and above. At present there are 9 members of the club and all of them participated. They were Fr. Jesus Molero, Fr. Jose Maria Blanco, Fr. Taddeo Park, Fr. Falk Robert, Fr. Paul Kim, Fr. Francis Kim, Fr. Bernard Lee, Bro. Peter No, Bro. Bois Marino and the provincial, Fr. Stefano Yang as observer.
It was begun with the Holy Mass presided by the Provincial, Fr. Stefano Yang at 11:30 am. The Chairman of the club, Fr. Blanco reminisced the confreres who passed away and the good deeds they had done through his homily. He also encouraged the Senior Club members to pray for the sake of the young confreres and be a senior willing to help in their community.
After the Mass, lunch was shared through the utmost preparation of Sinandong Community followed by the sharing of gifts specially prepared by the club Chairman. With autumn, reaching its height, the senior members made a tour around the outskirts of Kwangju after lunch, then returned back to each one's community after.
Since the beginning, the Senior Club has their rules as follows:
- Give praise and thanks to God and devote own remaining years to help the confreres by prayer and possible activity.
- Be a good example and inspire each other to be a saint.
- Show good examples to young confreres.
- Forgive each other's wrongdoings and try to be a good brother.
- Exchange beneficial ideas and information related to religious virtues and health.
- Pray for each other, especially for the new vocation and frequently do the Eucharistic Adoration.
- Have a yearly gathering every autumn to share fraternity.
