By Rita McInerney

The joy of Luke (Yong) Tjo at his ordination last Saturday was heightened by the presence of his parents, Young Tai, 87, and Marianna Tjo, 82; his brother David, and his sister, Sister Emanuel, whose motherhouse is in Seoul, Korea. They came from New Jersey to share his happiness and celebrate his achievement.

Mr. Tjo, who will be 47 in July, came to the United States from Korea in 1965. He is a lay leader of the Korean Apostolate which worships at St. Thomas More in Decatur. He is head of religious education and is "preparing and praying for" the success of a Bible study class to be started sometime in July. "In our community we don't close in summer," he commented.

"The point of change in my life, so powerful," came in 1981 when he made an English-speaking Cursillo weekend. After this he organized a weekend for the Korean community. This led to his friendship with Sister Margaret McAnoy, IHM, who leads the Cursillo movement in the archdiocese. The two met regularly to discuss his classes (he taped each one) and the books he was required to read. "He really is a spirit-filled man, vary attuned to following in the footsteps of Jesus," Sister McAnoy said of her friend.

Mr. Tjo is grateful to his family and the Korean community for all their support and prayers during the difficult three years. For his own part, he is "very thankful and ready" to use his abilities as deacon to help his community. He expects to prepare the First Communion class and serve the Ultreya of the community which numbers about 70 Cursillistas.

He and his wife, Stella, are the parents of Dan, 13, and Maryanne, 14. Mrs. Tjo attended classes with him until she obtained a fulltime job with the post office. He is a systems analyst.