Korean priest returns to school to care for the elderly
In short
- Father Carlo Yoon Haeng-do, 65, head of Wolyeong Catholic Church in the Diocese of Masan, enrolled in a master's in social welfare at Kyungnam University in March.
- He returned to study after nearly 30 years away from the classroom.
- He rises around 3 a.m. to pray for about two hours, then cleans the church and nearby alleyways.
Why the Good News Desk likes this one
Yoon says there is no retirement from serving one's neighbours, and he points to a growing elderly population that needs workers. His studies prepare him to work with older people directly after he steps back from active ministry at 70. The story is a personal example rather than a policy change.
From The Korea Times
A Catholic priest in his 60s who has spent his life serving others is embarking on a new educational journey after decades away from the classroom, hoping to continue his service to the elderly after retirement. Father Carlo Yoon Haeng-do, 65, is head of the Wolyeong Catholic Church in the Diocese of Masan. Yoon enrolled in a master's program in social welfare at Kyungnam University in South Gyeongsang Province in March. He returned to his studies after nearly 30 years to prepare for a new chapter of service to the elderly after retirement. Although priests step down from active ministry...
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For kids
A priest named Father Yoon is 65 years old. He went back to school to learn how to help older people. He wants to keep helping others for a long time. Talk about it: who is someone you could help this week?
