Paul Kim Tae-won, from Boohwal, a famous Korean rock band, and his wife, Pauline Lee Hyun-joo make and sell rosaries to raise money for people with development disabilities. (Photo by The Catholic Times of Korea)
Published Feb. 27, 2017
Paul Kim Tae-won, from Boohwal, a famous Korean rock band, and his wife, Pauline Lee Hyun-joo, have found a special way to share with others. Just buying a rosary can help raise money for people with developmental disabilities like autism.
Pauline Lee makes the "Happiness Sharing Rosaries" by herself, at a rate of 15 a day. They are all limited edition and she started 10 years ago. Husband, Paul Kim purchases the materials, including pearls imported from the Philippines.
"I'm making the rosaries with a heart wishing God's grace to be granted to the new owners because God's grace is endless," said Lee, who has a son with autism.
Lee said that, by making the rosaries, she began healing the scars she received when other people poured judgement upon her disabled son. Then she began sharing her rosaries with neighbors.
"I began feeling happiness by making and presenting the rosaries to neighbors. I pray while making them and feel even happier when I present them to others," Lee said.
As her skills improved, more people wanted her rosaries. She began donating them to Korean shrines and parishes to sell and raise money.
Gaining confidence, Lee started to sell them to fund welfare centers for people with developmental disabilities.
"Lots of people don't know what a developmental disability is," she said.
Paul Kim said, "I hope society can care for children with developmental disabilities like my son even after we parents pass away. At least, I wish our children would not receive strange looks. Our rosaries, I hope, will be a small step toward treating disabled people better."
Lee also sought help from the Catholic Publishing House of Seoul Archdiocese which has a distribution network to sell her rosaries. Now, they are sold in the Catholic Center in Seoul and Myeongdong Cathedral.
Father Augustine Hong Seong-hak, from the publishing house, said due to Lee's loving attitude he could not help but accept her proposal to sell the rosaries in their stores.
"I hope lots of the faithful buy them and donate to their cause," said Father Hong.