Sister Mary John       

Sister Mary John                                   ND 7305                                PDF Download

Anna CHUN-I-SHIN

Immaculate Conception Province, USA

Date of Birth:              May 31, 1946                Daegu, South Korea
First Profession:        August 24, 2008          Thousand Oaks, CA
Final Vows:                 August 17, 2013            Thousand Oaks, CA
Date of Death:            April 22, 2025               Thousand Oaks, CA

Sister Mary John Shin was the daughter of Mr. Jae Suk Shin and Mrs. Sae Nam Yoo.  She grew up in a devout Catholic family with five siblings – 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

As a young person she attended Catholic elementary school but also assisted her parents in providing for refugees after the Korean war.  Her parents allowed refugees to live on their property sharing food, shelter and clothing with them.

Sister Mary John earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trading from Daegu University.  As a young adult she studied theology and sociology in France for 4 years as a member of a Catholic lay movement.  Upon her return to South Korea she continued to be active in this movement which provided assistance to the poor and destitute.

Sister Mary John’s financial background gave her the skills to work in a bank for some years and also to eventually work in the finance office in a diocese in South Korea.

In 1990 Sister came to the United States along with Sister Angela Lee and opened a pre-school for Korean children in Los Angeles.  At this time they were members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Mirinae.  Complications within their congregation led them to leave and find fulfillment of their vocation within the Sisters of Notre Dame in Los Angeles.  After initial formation they made their first vows in 2008.

Sister Mary John served for many years in ministry as a hospital chaplain at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital.  Sister was much loved by patients and staff.  Her smile and cheerful disposition shared God’s goodness and provident care with all those she met.

Sister Mary John was known for her very deep faith, her humility, her kindness and generosity.  She was very hard working and focused on God’s will and bringing Gospel values into whatever situation she found herself in. Love of scripture permeated her life.

Sister Mary John’s positive attitude made her accept her final health challenges due to cancer with grace and patience.  Sister had a very peaceful death as she slipped into the loving embrace of the God she so faithfully served shortly after midnight on April 22 at Notre Dame Center, Thousand Oaks, California.