Perseverance
One asks, “Sister, my electricity is going to be cut. Can you help me?” While another pleads, “Sister, I need food.” And yet another inquires, “Sister, can you open the door to the gym?” This is my work here at St. Joseph’s Church (Makawao, Maui). Aside from being the director of religious education, my ministry also encompasses parish outreach through the food pantry, social and financial ministry. I keep forefront in my mind the words of St. Paul (to the Corinthians): “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.”
Some days are more of a marathon than others. The office phone rings every 10 minutes. And sometimes, when I am outside unlocking a door or taking care of other business, by the time I return there are 10 more messages left on the phone waiting to be addressed.
If it is an electric bill that needs to be paid, I write to Maui Electric and ask them to hold off cutting the electricity for a week while we get a check from St. Joseph’s Church sent in. Sometimes our help is needed to pay for rent in the face of eviction. Other times, we even pay for cremations. Our pastor and parishioners are very good in stewardship. Everyone tries to help those in greater need than themselves. The parish even supplements the food bank which helps with our monthly food distributions.
In the midst of all this busyness however, I find that there are moments when I feel like Mary of Nazareth. When I am working in the quiet of the convent, for example repacking rice and flour and other amenities for the food pantry, I take my time while doing the tasks at hand and consciously reflect more on the Lord. Mary was always thinking of Jesus, even as she worked. When I think of whom I am working for, the day becomes grace-filled.
My other role models are St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope. I like to reflect on how they gave their lives for others without counting the cost. Their lives were for the people, and that’s what I am here for. I find my fulfillment in touching the lives of others. Actually, it is a mutual benefit as I am also touched by them. When, for example, the homeless come into the office with heavy faces and hearts, I give them a chance to talk. They usually leave in peace which gives me great joy. Through their challenges I am strengthened as I am reminded that I am not the only one having issues in life. So, as St. Paul said, “persevere.” And, as I tell the youth, “Put God first in your life and everything else will be taken care of.”
Sister Georgina Delgado is a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. She is 38 years professed and is in her 19th year of ministry at St. Joseph Church, Makawao. She lives at St. Joseph Convent on Dominican Lane in Makawao.
