A Korean woman follows God’s calling to a parish in Ireland.
By Soonju Maria Lee

As a teen-ager growing up in Seoul, Korea, I had no idea what I wanted to do.

After graduating from school, I went to work in a company’s auditing department, and that’s where I met a man who claimed his life became so much more beautiful when he began following the Christian way.

I had my doubts. I had never experienced such beauty, and my family, like so many in South Korea, was Buddhist.

But one year later, I found the Christian faith myself. I happily was baptized in 1993 after a six-month preparation.

Unfortunately, my family did not experience my joy. Because of our culture, they thought I should have been following their religion.

After my baptism, I began volunteer work, helping the elderly, handicapped and homeless. This, I came to know, was what I wanted in my life.

While attending a Catholic catechism academy, I learned about lay missionary work. I became excited about the thought of becoming a lay missionary after hearing about their work from a Columban priest. I soon chose to join the Columbans as a lay missionary.

That is how I came to live and serve God’s kingdom in Ireland.

Lay missionary Soonju Maria Lee (far left) accompanied Newbridge parishioners on a pilgrimage to the scared Crough Patrick mountain in Ireland.

Through my work I believe people are all one big family, brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. Our different customs, cultures and languages make no difference.

It took me a long time to get used to living in Ireland. I have made plenty of mistakes, but people are very kind and understanding, for which I am most grateful. With their help, I became happily settled in Newbridge.

In my time here, I have made many trips with parishioners to Christian pilgrimage sites in Ireland: Knock, Croagh Patrick and Lough Derg. We also have been to Lourdes and Medjugorje.

When I was in Medjugorje, I felt God’s love. He was so close, so real; I could hear His consoling voice deep in my heart, as if He was my human father.

I had a tremendous healing experience in Medjugorje, and I began to picture my entire life.

I learned that God is looking at us, waiting for us to grow close to Him.

Two weeks later, I was at a retreat in Waterford. That’s when God gave me grace to look at my life and realize how He has powerfully led me from my past to the present.

But suddenly, I felt afraid and overwhelmed; something too strong was upon me. I felt sorry and upset about God controlling my life.

I shouted, “Who are you. Why did you choose me?”

A voice came from my heart saying, “Because I love you so much.”

I asked, “What do you want me to do?”

My answer did not come until I came home from my retreat. I asked God to forgive my sins, and He helped me forgive someone who had seriously hurt me as well. This forgiveness was different, totally unlike the forgiveness I had tried to achieve several times on my own. I feel free now.

I remember the retreat guide in Waterford saying, “I think Jesus is real.”