In a room filled with joyful faces celebrating 50 years of ministry at Kkottongnae of Jesus in South Korea, Fr John Oh raised his voice in song: “The message is simple… it is to love… to love… to love.” Visitors and religious brothers and sisters erupted in laughter before joyfully singing the words back to Fr Oh, Kkottongnae’s founder. This joyful moment captured the spirit of our four-day Love in Action School experience.
In September, I travelled with Virginia Fortunat, Lead Mission Partner at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, to Eumseong-gun to witness the Korean Church in action, progress planning for World Youth Day 2027 and reflect on what it means to put faith into action.
Fr Thaddeus Sang Yup Kim, standing, and Br James Shin Sang Hyun, at Kkottonggnae, South Korea. Image: Supplied
Part of our trip included a visit to Kkottongnae, whose mission is to serve people who are poor, marginalised or abandoned, offering not only practical care but also dignity, belonging and a place to call home. We arrived ready to learn about this mission but soon discovered that its greatest lesson was the power of love expressed through everyday encounters.
One encounter has stayed with me. On our first morning, we attended Mass at the House of Charity, alongside people living with disabilities and those who had been widowed. As I entered, a woman who used a wheelchair welcomed me with a warm embrace and joyful smile, taking a moment to comment on the colour of my toenail polish.
Her simple gesture moved me. She radiated joy and genuine affection, reminding me of Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Through her warmth and joy, I was reminded that God’s love is present in the simplest encounters, and that we all have something to learn from the generosity and joy of others.
Eleanor at a soup kitchen in Seoul. Image: Supplied
Later, at a soup kitchen in Seoul, more than 300 people gathered to receive food and necessities. Amid the practical work of serving, we encountered heartfelt expressions of gratitude and heard many people say “Saranghae” or “I love you”. Fr John’s message became tangible: love is more than words. It is shown through presence, compassion and the willingness to see and care for one another.
Meeting pilgrims from Uganda, Brazil, Honduras, the United States, Canada and Indonesia also offered a glimpse of the universal Church. Despite our different languages and cultures, we shared a common faith and a desire to grow closer to Christ through service.
Pilgrims travelled from all over the world to South Korea in preparation for WYD 2027. Image: Supplied
This mission continues in Western Sydney through Br James Yu, whose outreach, feeding and care programs in St Marys are supported by dedicated volunteers. Kkottongnae reminded us that we do not need to travel far to encounter Christ; opportunities to love our neighbours are all around us.
As we look towards World Youth Day 2027 in Korea, its theme, “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), invites us to step forward in faith. We encourage young people to embrace the unfamiliar, serve those on the margins, build friendships across cultures and deepen their relationship with Jesus. We may travel expecting something extraordinary but return home changed by a simple message: have the courage to love as Christ loves.
Pilgrims getting into the pre-WYD spirit in Seoul. Image: Supplied
Join us for World Youth Day 2027!
Applications are now open for our 17-day World Youth Day pilgrimage to Korea. Take the next step in your faith journey, encounter Christ in new ways, serve others and build friendships with young Catholics from around the world. Be part of this extraordinary experience and discover what it means to have the courage to love as Christ loves.
Apply before 31 October at www.parrawyd.org.
Eleanor Bonwick is Manager of Catholic Youth Parramatta.
Her trip to South Korea is an example of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Mission, Formation, and Listening, Dialogue & Discernment. Visit Synodality to find out more.
