Music in the heart
Within every letter I write, and throughout the day, I repeat the following Scripture:
“Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly.” (Romans 12:12) As a sister of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, my primary ministry is of adoration. It is through my life’s practice of eucharistic adoration that, with my students, I have grown more in tune with the music in the heart.
The ministry of adoration is to make the Lord — the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit — a part of our lives. As we pray, we also make up for the sins of the world. Adoration is about knowing the life of Jesus and studying the Scriptures so that we can share him with others.
I have been a piano teacher the past two years at St. Patrick School. Before that, I was giving piano lessons at Sacred Hearts Academy for 25 years. Teaching piano has not always been my main thing. At one time, I had served as principal of the Academy; at another period I taught not only French, Spanish and religion, but other subjects in all the grades from K-12. I also travelled to South America and Europe doing work for the province before I was missioned in Japan. However, the day came when my territory was expanded and I went to Gonzaga University to take piano lessons. It was there that I got my certificate to teach piano.
Teaching piano keeps me busy in my last years. The children are wonderful. In general, they are very responsive to learn a lot. During the first year with new students from kindergarten to grade four, I take time molding them, being patient with them and getting them to learn and appreciate music. Some students are there because their parents put them in class, and they don’t really want to be there, or have the natural talent for music. However, they learn to read the notes and to respond. Other students have rhythm and a love for music. I can see they have music in their hearts.
Before and after each lesson, my students and I say a prayer. I have taught them the anthem to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and they love it. I hope that they keep up that love of prayer in the future. As my students learn from me, I have learned much from them on how to be good and patient, and to see the music unfold. This reminds me of one other prayer that I regularly say, the prayer of Jabez.
At the beginning of each day, I sit at the side of my bed and with my arms upstretched in surrender and my hands on my head, I bow as low as my arthritic body can bend as I pray: “Oh that you would bless me and expand my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from the evil one.” (I Chronicles 4:9-10)
I ask God to bless me in the way he wants to and to lead me according to the rhythm of whatever he desires me to do.
Sister Anne-Marie Tamanaha is a Sister of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. She celebrated her 60th anniversary of religious profession this year. Besides teaching piano at St. Patrick School, Kaimuki, she ministers at St. Anthony Retreat Center, Kalihi, where she lives.
