The Dominicans of Siena on Kauai, from left, Sister Ana Celestial, Sister Gina Senapilo and Sister Jennifer Ober. (Photo courtesy of Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP)
By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Like the delicious tang of lilikoi in Hamura Saimin’s lilikoi pie that lingers after the eating, Dominican Sister of St. Catherine of Siena Ana Celestial could not forget her rich experience of ministry on Kauai. Nor could Aileen Farias of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lihue let go of the dream of having the sisters back. Twenty-six years later at the east Kauai parish, memories are being relived and dreams coming true with the return of the Dominican Sisters.
Last year, as Sister Ana was making her way back to the Philippines after six years of work in North Carolina, she stopped by Kauai “to visit the living and the dead.”
Sister Ana had taught at Immaculate Conception School from 1974 to 1979, returning in 1985 as principal until 1989. She had expected to return as principal after serving a year at St. Michael School in Waialua, Oahu. But Immaculate Conception School closed in 1990.
On her recent visit to Kauai, Sister Ana met Farias, the wife of Deacon Bill Farias, who threw out a suggestion.
“Sister, we need help. We need a director of religious education.”
Knowing the work and that she could help the parish, a formal request was made to the general administration of her order to send Sister Ana to Immaculate Conception Parish.
Not one, but three
Last Jan. 15, Sister Ana arrived in Lihue to begin her parish assignment and to prepare for the arrival of two more Dominican Sisters of Siena. Sister Gina Senapilo arrived in mid-September and Sister Jennifer Ober a few days later.
Sister Gina, 20 years professed, was ministering in Cebu in the Philippines when she received her letter of assignment to be director of religious education at Immaculate Conception. Sister Jennifer, 21 years professed, was serving in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan, Philippines, when she got her letter. She would be the director of youth ministry.
For the two new sisters, Sister Ana was like St. John the Baptist, preparing the way.
Of the Lihue mission, Sister Ana said, “I love the people here. They are very kind and so good, warm and supportive, responsive. I wanted the sisters to experience the same kindness and goodness of the people that I did when I was here.”
She continued, “I did not know how to go about it. But, every so often when I would remember Kauai, I prayed, ‘God, if you want the sisters back, then make the way.’”
Sister Gina did not know her congregation would be going back to Hawaii. She was actually being prepared to return to mission in Vietnam. But in her response to her general superior about the change of plans, she said, “If God wants it, he cannot be resisted.”
She found the assignment itself is hard to resist.
“The aloha and welcoming parties have not ceased since I arrived,” Sister Gina said. “With the warmth and the positivity of the parishioners, I am not afraid to do what is asked of us.”
“I know there is a lot I need to learn of the culture here and how best to work with and guide the youth of today,” Sister Gina said, “I hope they can see Jesus through me and my community. And that they won’t be afraid to do right in life especially when faced with challenging situations.”
Feeling at home
Sister Jennifer feels right at home on Kauai.
“I feel that I have not left the Philippines,” she said. “The only difference is that we are not surrounded by many more sisters.”
“As the congregation has entrusted me here, I hope that more children will come to our religious education classes and, along with their parents and volunteers, fill up the church!”
“I have found the church here very inspiring and expressive,” she said. “It is a great beginning. I look forward to working in this diocese and leading people closer to God.”
About 130 students fill the pre-kindergarten through 12th grade religious education program, with enrollment ongoing. Classes are Sunday mornings in the school with the children bused to church, a short distance away.
On being back on campus, Sister Ana said, “One thing that makes me really happy is to see my old students. We have their children and grandchildren in our religious education classes. One of the catechists, Be-Val Tani, was my second grade student. When she saw me in the office, she exclaimed, ‘Oh my! Sister is still here?’”
Sister Ana will return to the Philippines in January for her next mission assignment in Cebu. But she hopes the islands will need more sisters, and that more will be sent to work in this vineyard.
