I had no idea why
there so many of these handkerchiefs could be found. Then one day I was perusing eBay
and found the hanky with a brochure and letter for auction. I bought
it and discovered the amazing story behind this simple hanky.
In 1957 a priest was
assigned to Busan, Korea.
Father Al Schwartz was born in 1930 in Washington, D.C. during the Depression. His
family struggled to make ends meet but still actively helped their
neighbors who were worse off. He attended Catholic school and went to
Seminary and college, obtaining his Theology degree in 1957.
As a young man he
committed himself to the mission field where he could live
and work among the poor and disadvantaged. He arrived in Korea
with a deep commitment to help the poor.
The Korean War ended
in 1952, but refugees still flooded the streets. Unemployment in
Korea was about 40% and poverty abounded. Within a few months of
arriving in Korea Father Al came down with hepatitis and was
returned to the United States.
Back home he felt
conflicted by the wealth in America compared to the bitter poverty of
Pusan. He talked about Pusan and started collecting money for the
mission. He organized Korean Relief inc. and by the time he returned to
Korea had raised over $100,000.
Father Al had worked
for the Fuller Brush company as a youth. That experience contributed to his idea to offer a premium or gift with his letter of appeal in hope that it might garner a larger response. He started a cottage industry
in the slums of Pusan, employing up to 3,000 women. The women
distributed, collected, and embroidered handkerchiefs to be included
with the appeal mailings.
This is just part of
all that Father Al accomplished during his lifetime. He is in process
of beautification.
Now when I see one
of these handkerchiefs I want to take people aside and tell them the
story behind it. The priest who dedicated his life to helping orphans and the poor. The Korean woman who so carefully cut the fabric,
the woman who hemmed the edges and embroidered the children at play.
And how that little piece of cloth helped change the lives of
thousands. Thanks to Father Al.
http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/awardees/awardee/profile/256
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloysius_Schwartz
http://www.rmaf.org.ph/newrmaf/main/awardees/awardee/profile/256
http://www.facfi.org.ph/facfi_page.php?tag=ABOUT_US
http://holynameparishdc.org/community/father-aloysius-Schwartz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpOEdhUfsiA
