Last Sunday, 11 April, was a lovely day in all respects. I concelebrated the 11 a.m., mass. Again, I was very impressed and taken with the celebration of the liturgy, particularly with the participation of the congregation. They really do sing so well; the hymns and the parts of the mass. This is full-blooded singing, and very much sung with emotion and feeling.
An example of how I am impressed with the dignity and gracefulness which the people seem to bring to the celebration of mass is how they participate in the singing of the Our Father: all arms in the entire congregation are raised in prayer. Very affecting.
On our side of the world, the idea of the joined hands at prayer is probably considered either very old-style and traditional, or even somewhat sanctimonious. Here the joined hands of most of the congregation when standing in prayer or singing, or approaching for holy communion, seems so natural and dignified, and graceful.
During the mass there was the commissioning of twelve new Parish Leaders. They are probably the equivalent of our pastoral councils, but there is a particular emphasis on the leaders here; each is entrusted with a ministry of leadership and care of a particular area in the parish.
In a very graceful gesture after the rite of commissioning, Paolo invited the new leaders to face the congregation and bow; the congregation returned the bow and applauded. I quite like the "Korean bow"!
After the mass, there was a good sense of community in the grounds of the church. I have included a picture of the church, a picture of the kind of area it's located in (most of the shops and houses/apartments nearby are derelict, pending massive redevelopment of this area), and a picture of new high-rise apartment buildings which tower within sight.
Myself, Paolo, Antonio, and the parish sisters joined the leaders for a lunch in one of their apartments (located in one of the towers in the picture). It was a 4 bedroomed apartment, very modern and comfortable. I don't know too much about apartments in Dublin, but I would think this apartment would be the equivalent of luxury standard.
We had a delightful lunch, beautifully prepared and colourful. Even with the language barrier, people are extremely hospitable and welcoming. Because of my limited tastes, as far as Korean food is concerned, I was very thoughtfully offered salad sandwiches to suit my diet. This is fairly typical here; people will want to help you in any way they can.
I thought the idea of the lunch itself for the new Parish Leaders was an excellent one; people getting to know each other, having a sociable time together. Conversation seems to run very easily and they seem very good-humoured.
Last Sunday in the parish in Incheon was for me a very enjoyable day, and somehow a very encouraging and hopeful day in terms of an experience of a Korean city parish.
