Korean community celebrates Lunar New Year

Parishioners sing during Mass. Parishioners gathered to celebrate a Korean Lunar New Year Mass for the Departed at Korean Martyrs Mission, 4115 N. Kedvale Ave., on Jan. 29, 2025. The liturgy was in Korean. Following Mass, attendees participated in “eumbok,” a ritual where everyone gathers to eat traditional food prepared and gain the blessings of the ancestors for the year ahead. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Paul Kim Dujin, pastor, greets parishioners at the start of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Photos of ancestors line the steps of the sanctuary for this special Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners bow 2 1/2 times during “Cham Shin” where they greet the pictures of their ancestors represented in “Shin Joo.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Kwam Lee assists Julia Yoo with “Kwang Shin” where during a ritual to honor ancestors, they give them incense and wine three times. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Lee and Dujin pray during “Kwang Shin.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners pray during Mass as they gathered to celebrate a Korean Lunar New Year Mass for the Departed at Korean Martyrs Mission on Jan. 29, 2025. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

An altar server prays during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Paul Kim Dujin, pastor, accepts the gifts from Julia Yoo. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Dujin celebrates the Eucharistic Prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners pray the Our Father during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners share the sign of peace during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Estelle Jaesoon Choi distributes Communion during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)