St. Andrew Kim Taegon (Feast Day September 20)

August 21, 1821 – September 16, 1846

Andrew Kim Taegon was the son of Christian converts. Following his baptism at age 15, Andrew traveled 1,300 miles to a seminary in Macao, China. After six years, he managed to return to his country and, that same year, crossed the Yellow Sea to Shanghai to be ordained a priest. St. Andrew Kim was the first Korean-born priest. The Christians of Korea were heavily persecuted in his lifetime, and many were forced to practice their faith underground. St. Andrew Kim and over 100 other Christian witnesses were martyred for their faith. He is the patron saint of Korea.

·      How does today’s Gospel remind you of the Our Father prayer?

·      Why do you think the servant went after his debtor, even after he was forgiven?

·      What did you learn about forgiveness in this story?

·      What would it be like to be persecuted for your faith?

Family Photo

Mild weather and the changing colors of the leaves create a great backdrop for photography. Find a friend with a great digital camera, a scenic park area, and take a family photo. Use the photo for your Christmas card or framed gifts.

Korean Bulgogi

Enjoy this recipe in honor of St. Andrew Kim Taegon!

2 pounds of boneless rib eye steak (sirloin is also good)

½ pear or apple, peeled and grated

½ cup soy sauce

3 Tbsp sesame seed oil

4 cloves of garlic, finely minced

2 Tbsp of sugar (white, brown, or honey will do)

1 Tbsp of grated ginger, or 2 tsp of dried ginger

1-2 Tbsp of gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)

2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

1-2 tsp of sesame seeds

Wrap the steak in plastic wrap or a freezer bag, and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Be careful not to freeze it! In a large bowl, combine fruit, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, garlic, sugar, ginger, gochujang, and one of the sliced green onions. Whisk it all together until well combined. NOTE: You can use more or less gochujang to adjust the level of spice. Slice the steak into small, thin strips. Be sure to slice across the grain and keep the pieces about ¼ inch thick. Combine the steak and marinade in a freezer bag or a large bowl, cover, and marinate for at least 2 hours, although overnight is preferred. Heat a grill pan, wok, or a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of sesame oil. Add the steak in small batches. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side until charred and cooked through and remove from pan. Repeat with another tablespoon of sesame oil until all the meat is cooked. Garnish with remaining green onion and sesame seeds. Enjoy with steamed rice. You may also want to make lettuce wraps with rice, bulgogi, and a little extra gochujang.

Optional:

·      Replace fruit with apple juice in a pinch.

·      Visit your local Korean grocery store to pick up some roasted seaweed and kimchee (spicy pickled cabbage) to complete an authentic Korean meal.

Collect from Memorial Mass of St. Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions

O God, you have created all nations, and you are their salvation. In the land of Korea, your call to Catholic faith formed a people of adoption, whose growth you nurtured by the blood of Andrew, Paul, and their companions. Through their martyrdom and their intercession, grant us strength that we too may remain faithful to your commandments even until death. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Kneeling is a gesture of reverence. How many times do we kneel at Mass? When does this happen?

Take today’s Gospel to heart and forgive a debt that someone owes you.

Besides St. Andrew Kim, Pope John Paul II canonized 99 Koreans and three French missionaries who had been martyred between 1839 and 1867 when he visited Korea in 1984. Among them were bishops and priests, but, for the most part, they were lay persons: 47 women and 45 men.