Dongbaek St. Maria Catholic Church

Overview

Dongbaek St. Mary Church is a church in Dongbaek-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, belonging to the Giheung District of the 1 Vicariate of the Suwon Diocese. It was established on March 17, 2006, and its patron saint is St. Mary Assumed into Heaven. The parish feast day is August 15.

History

[Establishment] The parish introduction on the Dongbaek St. Mary Church website states that this church belongs to the 1 Vicariate of the Suwon Diocese and is located in Dongbaek-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si. The parish was established on March 17, 2006, and its jurisdiction covers Hosumaeul, Baekhyeonmaeul, Pyeongchonmaeul, and Hyanglindongsan in Dongbaek-dong. The directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea likewise lists its date of establishment as March 17, 2006 and its affiliation as the Giheung District of the 1 Vicariate of the Suwon Diocese.

[Patron Saint and Parish Feast Day] The website states that it honors St. Mary Assumed into Heaven as its patron saint and that the parish feast day is August 15. The directory's patron saint entry is also recorded as "St. Mary Assumed into Heaven."

[10th Anniversary of Establishment] On August 15, 2016, the parish celebrated a Mass commemorating the 10th year of its establishment, presided over by Bishop Matthias Lee Yong-hun, Bishop of the Suwon Diocese. According to the website, the parish also held a "More Love" concert and a photo exhibition expressing gratitude for 10 years. The website states that the priests and all the faithful are uniting their hearts and devoting themselves to prayer and efforts for the dedication of the church building.

[Former Pastors] According to the "Our Priests" section of the website, the former pastors are as follows. First pastor Fr. Antonio Jung Young-cheol (March 17, 2006–August 31, 2009), 2 pastor Fr. Gerald An Bin (September 1, 2009–June 16, 2014), 3 pastor Fr. Peter Lee Jung-jae (June 17, 2014–June 26, 2018), 4 pastor Fr. Matthias Choi Jung-hyeok (June 27, 2018–June 13, 2022), 5 pastor Fr. Alberto Mun Sang-un (June 14, 2022–June 16, 2025). The current pastor is listed as Fr. John the Baptist Kim Young-bin, in office since June 17, 2025.

Religious Significance and Visiting Context

The website introduces the parish symbol as composed of a shape representing the Latin Cross, a shape representing a praying posture, and ΙΧθΥΣ (fish).

Related Places and Persons

• Giheung District of the 1 Vicariate of the Suwon Diocese: the district listed as this church's affiliation in the directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.
• Bishop Matthias Lee Yong-hun: the person who attended the Mass commemorating the 10th year of establishment on August 15, 2016 as Bishop of the Suwon Diocese (Dongbaek St. Mary Church website).

References and Sources

1. Dongbaek St. Mary Church website, Parish Introduction. Affiliation with the 1 Vicariate of the Suwon Diocese, establishment on March 17, 2006, jurisdiction, patron saint and parish feast day (August 15), Mass commemorating the 10th year in the 2016th year since establishment, parish symbol.
   http://db.casuwon.or.kr/sub01/sub01.php
2. Dongbaek St. Mary Church website, Our Priests. Names and terms of office of the 1th–5th former pastors and the current pastor.
   http://db.casuwon.or.kr/bbs/board.php?tbl=priest
3. Directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, Dongbaek St. Mary. Affiliated diocese, vicariate, and district, date of establishment 2006.3.17, patron saint.
   http://directory.cbck.or.kr/m/catholicInfo.asp?code=201000479&gubun=4