Dae Rim Dong community
Seoul, Korea, 28 October 2017 -- Dae Rim Dong Community in Seoul started in 1962 as a mission station of our parish of Guro 3 Dong, then welcome the first formation house (novitiate in 1963) and since 1979 became a home for the poor young people. First years it was about young workers (hostel connected with agriculture and carpentry, offering also JOC group experience), later on since 1988 it became a home for the youth at risk, who were sent by the Family Court or by the Social welfare support center.
What is most important, over past 40 years this Seoul Valdocco accomodates both vocation & initial formation experience and youth at risk living under one roof, meeting in their daily life (refectory, chapel, playground and class room, outings and other activities). In this way we can say that vocation of Korean Salesian was born and strengthen in this 'holy' place.
As every district in fast changing Korean society, also Dae Rim Dong district is now being re-developed and also our Salesian setting is under re-construction and re-modelling (2017-2019). For the moment the formation part of the community took a 'temporary shelter' in nearby DYBC community and the seven Salesian strong community (Rector Fr. Bonaventura Kim) of 4 priests, 1 Salesian brother and two practical trainees does journey with 25 lay mission partners to accompany 70+ boys (14-19 years old) on the probation period (compulsory 6 months) who are send by the Family court judge. Without 60 volunteers who are helping in the evening school and many education activies as well without the Salesian Cooperators (one Center with 4 teams) and 800+ benefactors this EPC would be not complete.
What makes the Valdocco spirit? The spirit of Don Bosco, his Preventive system is alive in numerous educative - pastoral activities that help our youth at risk to recover and make a new start in their life. Music, dance, carpentry and ceramics workshop, various kind of sports, excursions, volunteer services, music and dance academy, group dynamics and also education to the faith. EPC Eucharistic celebration in Dae Rim Dong is always striking for the vibrant songs with band and good participation of the boys. Each year few of them also recieve baptism before their exit period.
We give thanks to God for each Valdocco in our EAO province and for the gift of the poor young people, who are saving our vocation!
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