(Seoul, S. Korea) Filipino missionaries based in Seoul and neighboring provinces hosted lunch for Card. Gaudencio Rosales on August 20. The Cardinal is in the capital of Korea to attend an inter-religious gathering for peace and unification of North and South Korea.
The simple agape was organized by Fr. Jun Perez svd, servant leader of the Filipino Missionary Group in Korea. There are only a handful of Filipino missionaries in Korea, most of them are engaged in the pastoral care of the overseas Filipino workers. Some have been here for as long as 52 years, while the youngest arrival is Fr. Joe Ezpeleta rcj who joined the Rogationist community in Seoul on August 9. The Philippine Ambassador to Korea, Mr. Luis Cruz also attended the said celebration.
The latest statistics show that there are 43,000 OFWs in this country mostly working in factories or as domestic help in expatriate families.
At present, the Rogationist Mission Station in Korea is based in Sadang-dong in the Archdiocese of Seoul It is composed of two members: Fr. Daniel Kim, responsible; and Fr. Joe Ezpeleta, collaborator. On September 26, Fr. Ezpeleta starts engaging in pastoral care for the migrant Filipinos on Sundays by celebrating Masses in various Centers for Migrants in the dioceses of Korean as well at at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.
(L-R) Seated: Sr. Michaela fma,Card. Gaudencio Rosales, Fr. Cedric msp, Ambassador Luiz Cruz. Standing: Fr. Alvin msp, Sr. Genevieve cm, Sr. Sue sjbp, Fr. Arvin msp, Mr. Mac, Fr. Joe Ezpeleta rcj, Maira San Juan, Fr. Jun svd, Fr. Willy cssr.
