Korean Lunch & a busy week

Last week the Fathers and Brothers invited us to a Korean lunch. What we didn't know is that we would also get a Korean language lesson and alphabet history, and would be led in song by all the former missioners. Below are some singing a song they taught us. It was wonderful to see how full of energy and good humor they were!

The sisters also sang in Korean and a few of them were dressed in traditional Korean clothes.

This was my favorite outfit. The mask was often used by poorer lower class people to mock the wealthy and powerful in their community.

Below is pictured our delicious meal:

Now of course we don't spend all of our time enjoying delicious food, music and dance with the fathers and brothers but have had very provocative workshops on a number of topics. Last week we had a session on the history of Maryknoll, on Racism, and once a week we have scripture study with a franciscan brother. Today and for the next two days we will have workshops on non-violence. The three women running our retreat usually run their retreats in prisons or with teens who have had problems with violence- so it is even a new experience for them. In many of the workshops we have discussions and activities that give us the chance to internalize the bigger questions and really examine our own life experiences, choices, and challenges. It is difficult to communicate how meaningful (and at 

times exhausting) this can be. I am so thankful for the opportunity to delve deeper into my own identity, privileges, and presumptions even if it is challenging and at times emotional. I feel a deeper strength and empowered by this self awareness that the workshops help bring out.

Our scripture study class does not require a lot of reading, but last class we delve in to the details, history, and background of the culture of the two very short passages that we examined. One was from Jeremiah and one from Luke, and both are usually read during advent. I have never taken a scripture study class before- and in college while in one class we read a couple books from the bible it was from a completely secular perspective. I truly feel it is a privilege to share in this experience, and can't wait for the next class, which is not until mid October. We will be going to Washington DC next week and so I am excited for that adventure as well. Minh and I decided to stick with seeking cultural experiences and went to a Filipino mass at St. Annes this past Sunday. It was the first time I attended mass in a language I didn't understand. The priest sometimes switched in to english- and so I feel like the mass was about 3/5 filipino and 2/5 english. The music was beautiful. Two of the sisters in our class are filipina so I will have to ask them to teach me some songs!This is the sunset over the Hudson river not too far from where I am staying. God bless and I hope the sunsets are lovely wherever you are!