Filipino migrants in Bucheon held a special Lenten retreat yesterday and said goodbye to a priest who has served the community over the past six years.

About 20 Filipino migrant workers expressed their gratitude to Father Pacifico Carloman Nohara for his service to the community in Bucheon near Seoul.

Fr. Nohara led the one-day retreat, in which some participants were bound and blindfolded, and then led around Ojung-dong Church in the city.

The Augustinian priest explained that everyone has different talents, as well as strong and weak points.

“When you serve others with your time and talent, the community will become stronger and friendlier,” he said.

In the same way Jesus sacrificed himself to save humanity everyone’s sacrifice is required for the good of the community.

He then gave the Sacrament of Penance before celebrating Mass.

During the Mass, the migrant workers gave him a photo album and a plaque.

Fr. Nohara arrived in Korea in March, 2005 after he was ordained a priest of the Order of Saint Augustine in the Philippines in July, 2003.

He has also served Koreans visiting convents, military camps and hospitals by saying Mass in Korean and giving Sacrament of Penance.

Fr. Nohara left for the Philippines today to start a master’s degree course in missiology at the San Agustin Center in Quezon City.