In less than five years, Sister Bo Hui Kang, ASC, converted to Catholicism, took her final vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ, moved more than 6,500 miles to Wichita and graduated with her master’s in social work from Newman University.
For Kang, this is only the beginning of her story.
From South Korea to Wichita’s ASC Center
Born into a Buddhist family, Kang wasn’t introduced to the Catholic faith until her junior year of college in South Korea.
“I started volunteering after school at a nonprofit daycare center for children,” Kang explained. “My director was a Catholic and introduced me to the faith.”
Kang read parables from the Bible, including that of the good Samaritan, which inspired her to contemplate her life’s calling. She converted to Catholicism followed closely by her mother’s own conversion in 2020. Kang took her final vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ (ASC) in April 2021.
That’s when her South Korean ASC community of just 15 sisters “gave me an opportunity to grow in a bigger community,” Kang said.
They connected her with the Wichita ASC Center in the U.S. — home to the world’s only ASC-sponsored university, Newman University — and Kang was given the chance to pursue a master’s in social work.
The sisters at the Wichita ASC Center welcomed Kang with open arms as she spent her first year in the U.S. taking English courses at Wichita State University. Then in 2022, Kang began taking classes as a Newman University student.
“This education is a part of my personal growth,” she said. “So I started this journey. Social work, I feel, is more fit in the ASC’s mission statement. Social work is a way for me to give help to people who need it.”
Social work is a way for me to give help to people who need it.
Sister Bo Hui Kang
A sisterly support system she ‘won’t soon forget’
With her fellow ASC sisters in attendance, Kang walked across the stage at the 2024 spring commencement ceremony May 10 and earned her diploma from Newman.
Later this month, Kang will return to her sisters and previous ministry at the House of Light in South Korea. There, she and a fellow ASC serve as house mothers for a group of children — from toddler age to high schoolers — who were abused or abandoned.
In addition to her diploma, Kang has several valuable takeaways she will return home with.
Her practicum experience with the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas introduced her more closely to the needs of the community.
“I comforted my clients (going through) some difficult situations in their community and society,” Kang said. “And in learning at Newman, I could learn more about the ASC mission through the Master of Social Work program.”
Kang was also surprised when she was honored with the Excellence in Mastery of Social Work during the Academic Awards Convocation in April.
“It means to me that I did my best,” Kang said. “And it encourages me to do more for other people.”
Kang believes her biggest support has come from her fellow ASC sisters — and she “won’t forget.”
“They helped me with my language, my studies and they’re really taking care of me so well,” Kang said. “I don’t think I would have studied social work in the U.S. if I was not an ASC sister, and it has been the biggest opportunity for me.”
A blessing to the ASC community
Sister Marsha Wilson, ASC, described Kang’s presence at the Wichita ASC Center as “a most precious gift to us.”
Wilson explained that while several Korean ASC sisters have visited and stayed over the years, none have stayed for three full years.
“During this time we have experienced our beloved Bo Hui’s gentleness, graciousness and her ability to laugh with us at our seemingly funny American ways,” Wilson said. “Remarkably, she has never complained about anything. She smiles all the time, has studied almost nonstop for these three years and yet found time to plant watermelon, cucumbers and flowers during the spring and summertimes.”
Wilson and the other Wichita ASC sisters will miss Kang’s presence, but will “rejoice with her in a long overdue homecoming,” Wilson said.
Kang added, “I will miss my ASC sisters here, but I have also missed my ASC sisters at home. It’s been a really good experience for me and I hope I can help lots of clients.”
Apply to Newman University
Newman University remains the only university sponsored by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in the world.
