Priest pursuing PhD in U.S. while helping fellow Koreans

What the transplant from the Diocese of Seoul, Korea, wants to learn about is ministry to the poor and persons with disabilities.

A priest for just four years, he received permission from his bishop to come to America to pursue a PhD in social welfare, something he has already studied in Korea. During his five or six years in the U.S., Father Jung will also serve as pastor to the Korean Apostolate of the Albany Diocese, a community of about 100 people. He is living at St. Mary's rectory in Albany.

Fitting in

Next year, the priest will enter an intensive English-language program at The University at Albany to prepare for entering the PhD program. In the meantime, he's taking private English lessons. He didn't let his struggling language skills deter him from talking enthusiastically about his work.

"We have every day one Mass," he said of the Korean Apostolate. "Last night, I visit[ed] a family to prepare [them for] Baptism: a father, a daughter in middle school, a son in elementary school. It's very interesting to explain God and the Church!"

Father Jung noted that since arriving in September, he's made many home visits to his Korean parishioners. Most, he says, have such busy work schedules that it's difficult for them to meet at a church for Baptism preparation or other needs -- although 50 or 60 come to the Korean-language Mass each Sunday.

Vocation

First, Father Jung finished college and did a stint in the military. He entered the seminary at 24 and pursued work with the disabled, even learning sign language to celebrate Mass for those with hearing impairments. (Since American Sign Language is very different, he hopes to learn that in his time here, as well.)

He told The Evangelist that he's always wanted to come to the U.S. "I want to know how to do for the poor and handicapped in the Albany Diocese, for old men who are living alone," he said. "There are many charities in the Albany Diocese."

In fact, Father Jung hopes to offer his services to Catholic Charities, as well. In Korea, he has the equivalent of a master's degree in social work.

Goals

Upstate New York in winter may make permanent residents groan, but Father Jung is enjoying the snow. He particularly likes the view of the Albany skyline as he crosses the Dunn Memorial Bridge from Rensselaer.

"The landscape is very good," he said. "Every time, I think, `I should take a picture.'"

He also aspires to see other parts of the northeast. "I want to know much more about America -- travel and music," he said. "Next year, I want to watch [a baseball game at] Yankee Stadium!"

(11-21-02) [[In-content Ad]]