Pictured above: Sister Nora Wiseman with one of the dedicated doctors (Mokpo, 1974)
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We continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our cherished association and connection with Korea with reflections of Sisters who spent time there over the decades. We have also found some wonderful old photos in the treasure trove of our Archives to share.
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The Korea I landed in – in 1973 was a very different Korea to the one we know today. The country was ruled by the dictator Park Chong Hee. Curfew was in force every night. Military checkpoints were in place especially at bus and train stations and monitoring of foreigners – especially their travels and activities were routine.
Despite all this I felt happy and excited when I was met by Sr. Cecily at Kimpo airport and when I arrived at the Seoul convent. The Sisters who were on Retreat there were given recreation to celebrate my Arrival.
My first nine months were spent learning Korean, and then it was off to Mokpo hospital where I would spend the next ten years working in the hospital mostly in the Maternity and Paediatric departments. Following a rotation of four years in Ireland – I was assigned to our clinic in Chunchon, where I began two ministries which were most enriching for me. One was accompanying our Korean Postulants in their formation journeys. The other was pioneering hospice Home Care in the Chunchon Area.
Through these ministries – I grew to love and understand Korean people their culture, religion and, through learning their proverbs, I came to understand the similarities in our two cultures. Sharing the life journeys of young Korean postulants and people coping with a terminal illness was a privilege and a challenge in my own faith journey. The kindness and generosity of the Korean people enabled me to do “so much more than I could ask for or imagine.” The staff and volunteers I worked with were my strength and encouragement and they, through word and deed, gave flesh to our commitment to love as we have Loved.
Their love and generosity enabled us to procure the site and build St Columban Home – a Centre that has helped and is helping many hospice and elderly patients to spend their final days in an atmosphere of love.
My mission in Korea ended in 2017. Four days ago, I got Christmas cards from Korea. One was written by a staff member whom I worked very closely with for almost thirty years. She wrote “thanks for being the support of my life, the the precious time we spent together was a grace for me.” The second was from a staff member of twenty years. She said “the love I learned through you I am trying to put into practice as I continue to work in St Columban’s home.”
My mission in Korea continues.
