The Kkottongnae, Brothers and Sisters of Jesus, a Korean religious order which works with the outcasts of society, opened a new mission house in Yesu Auuouttaw, Htaukkyant Quarter, Mingaladon Township, Yangon Division, Myanmar, about 26 miles north of Yangon, on October 3.
The congregation of the Sisters of Kkottongnae presently stays in place near the Sacred Heart Parish Church of Hmawbi in the Yangon Archdiocese.
The newly built building for the mission is the second mission post, a few miles away from the parish church.
The plot of land on which the new building stands was purchased some decades ago by the late Archbishop Gabriel Mahn Gaby of the Yangon Archdiocese. He died in 2016.
Previously, a small chapel was built for the early small Catholic community for which the holy Mass was offered twice a month.
The Sisters of Kkottongnae from South Korea came to Myanmar three years ago in 2019 to start their mission of love and compassion.
Auxiliary Bishop John Saw Yaw Han of Yangon Archdiocese blessed the newly built house for the mission of Kkottongnae, Brothers and Sisters of Jesus, accompanied by Father Thomas Saw Htoo Htoo, the parish priest of Hmawbi.
A few priests and nuns from different congregations and about 100 Catholics from Hmawbi Parish in the Yangon Archdiocese witnessed the occasion.
It is hard to own land in this area to build a house at this time. Having built a new house is a blessing. This building is meant for the abandoned, the poor, the orphans, and the elderly.
Moreover, it is meant for the educational and vocational development of young people to a certain extent in the future.
"We can say that it is for all of us where we can have rest. It is through the grace of God that we can have this place and this new building. This house has come into existence because of the Kkottongnae Sisters, who leave their country behind and learn the local language (Burmese language) to serve the people of this land as far as they can," said Bishop Saw Yaw Han.
The building is not meant only for Catholics but also for all those of different ethnic groups and different faiths who need help and care.
"We are grateful to the local authorities, together with the parish priest, the parish elders, and the local people, who made it possible to build the house," said the prelate.
"Through prayer and other assistance from the local people, we hope to have a developing future to cooperate with the sisters of Kkottongnae on this mission," he added.
The missionaries of the Sisters of Kkottongnae arrived at this place, motivated by the love and compassion in their hearts.
"If we are all motivated by love and compassion alike, we will be able to be supportive of the community in different ways. Let us try to learn the motto of this congregation and imitate it as far as we can to stretch out our helping hands to those in need," added the prelate.
The building is meant for the helpless and also for the education of young people.
"We appreciate and welcome the Sisters of Kkottongnae from South Korea and are ready to give support in whatever way we can," said Father Thomas Saw Htoo Htoo, the parish priest of the area.
The center is an opportunity for young people to learn Korean and Japanese.
"We are grateful to the Bishops of the Archdiocese who welcomed and accepted us to carry out our mission. We are thankful to the parish priest and the local authorities who allowed us and helped us carry out our mission together with all our friends of goodwill in this area," said Sister Kim John, one of the members of Kkottongnae.
Father Oh Woong-jin, a charismatic Korean priest, founded the order in 1976. He was assigned as the head priest of Mugeuk Catholic Church in Geumwang-eup Eumseong-gun, South Korea, and met and was inspired by a beggar named Choi Gwi Dong, who, despite his disabilities, managed to care for 18 other sick beggars.
Later, Father Oh built a home called "House of Love" near the church to serve the beggars.
The Kkottongnae Home, located in the Diocese of Cheongju, about 120 miles outside of Seoul, serves thousands of homeless, disabled, orphans, and alcoholics.
The Kkottongnae congregation envisions a world where no one is forsaken. A world where everyone is respected just as God is, a world in which everyone loves their neighbor as they love themselves. - Saw Hubert
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