Jesuits open hearts to help Korean youth overcome stress

On the cold evening of January 6, two Jesuit priests — Fr Giovanni Park Jong-in and Fr Andrew Lee Sung-gyoon — waited for visitors in front of Dream Tree Village, a four-story red-brick building in the Eunpyeong-gu neighbourhood of the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Jan 21, 2022

A young man (right) enjoys dinner with two Jesuit priests at Babjip Allo restaurant in Seoul on Jan. 6. (Photo: Catholic Times of Korea)


SOUTH KOREA: On the cold evening of January 6, two Jesuit priests — Fr Giovanni Park Jong-in and Fr Andrew Lee Sung-gyoon — waited for visitors in front of Dream Tree Village, a four-story red-brick building in the Eunpyeong-gu neighbourhood of the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Soon, one young man approached the entrance and the priests greeted him gleefully. They talked for some time over a range of issues regarding his personal life and the various challenges he faces, in their counseling room.

The priests and their guest then headed to Babjip Allo restaurant, a small soup kitchen on the third floor of the building. They talked, made fun and laughed as they enjoyed traditional kimchi stew, egg rolls, stirfried anchovies, sesame leaves and pickled garlic — all prepared by the priests in advance.

“If you want to eat any other food, let me know. I’ll make it next time,” Fr Lee said with a smile, in the warmth of the restaurant.

The happy young man took his leave after thanking the Jesuits for their hours of wonderful company. He promised to revisit the centre soon.

This has been a common scene at Dream Tree Village since the centre opened its doors to young people from Seoul and other areas of the country. Most visitors are poor, or orphans who are former and current inmates of state and church-run children’s and youth welfare facilities.

Above all, it is a comfortable and enjoyable place, like home, where you can meet and interact with friends Supported by the Joy Sharing Foundation, the Jesuits initiated the service last November and started welcoming young visitors from the end of December. It is open every day, except Monday.

The priests offer valuable life lessons to young visitors who are in desperate need of help due to financial or emotional problems, as well as loneliness. They also receive guidance on how they can become self-reliant and independent one day in a friendly environment.

Andrew Ahn Won-sik, 21, has visited the centre several times already. He says he loves the place, the priests and the food.

“On the first day of the new year, we made rice cakes and soup together and learned life skills such as cooking from the priests. The soup was delicious. Above all, it is a comfortable and enjoyable place, like home, where you can meet and interact with friends,” he said.

Fr Park says it provides great satisfaction when young people gather and eat together.

“It gives them the feeling that they are not alone and that the Church is with them. They gain the courage and energy to become independent by overcoming difficult situations in life,” the priest said.

Fr Lee says he is happy to play a small role for young people by cooking food and befriending them.

“The feeling that ‘I have a friend’ can give strength to them to live in difficult situations,” the priest explained.

At Dream Tree Village, the Jesuits continue to pray to God and St Aloysius Gonzaga, a 16th century Jesuit who is the patron saint of young people, for the well-being of all young people in the country. -- ucanews.com

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