John Jang to be ordained a Catholic priest in Archdiocese of Sydney
Former medical intern John Jang will be one of seven men to be ordained a priest on Saturday.
NOT so long ago, Deacon John Jang was being called Dr Jang but it was in the wards of Westmead Hospital where the medical intern was called to priesthood.
“I didn’t think about the priesthood at all but wanted to do something faith-based because I was a catechist with the Korean Catholic Church at Silverwater while I was studying,’’ he said.
“I was in the cancer ward at Westmead and saw a lot of people dying.
“A lot of my patients died and made me think what I could do.
“I chose medicine because of the gift I had at the time which was a scientific mind and … while I was working I realised maybe the faith is something greater as a gift.”
On Saturday, the former Baulkham Hills and Normanhurst Boys’ high school student will be one of seven seminarians to be ordained as a priest in the Archdiocese of Sydney at St Mary’s Cathedral.
Despite being at university and a year as an intern, the 33 year old University of NSW graduate admits life experience has eluded him.
“I’ve been in uni for 13 years,’’ he said.
“Relatively speaking, it’s (studying as a priest is) a different life experience because you delve into philosophy and theology and it’s a life experience you live vicariously through others.
“I’m only starting out. I look good on paper but I have to prove it by helping others out and living a fruitful life.”
The South Korean-born has not had a conventional start to Catholicism.
His Epping parents converted the family to Catholicism from Protestants when he was about 10, a denomination for which Deacon Jang distinguishes a difference.
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“Many Protestants take their faith seriously and Catholics, we’re a big institution and a big Church and many Catholics grow up Catholic all their life and take it for granted.
“The Protestants take it as a personal commitment.”
He admits he is one of few from his generation with a commitment to faith.
“Most of my friends don’t go to church,’’ he said.
“I guess there are so many things interesting in the world so I guess it’s on the backburner for many people.
“For me the faith is it makes sense to give thanks to God for our life and this wonderful world.”
Deacon Jang, who has served at Cronulla parish Saint Aloysius, will be one of seven seminarians at the weekend’s ordination.
“A lot of things are happening in my family,’’ he said.
“My brother’s wife just gave birth and my sister is also expecting her first child and my parents are quite excited at this period.”
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