VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald
Adaptation and learning are always a part of a missionary’s work. I love my work and the people here in Kauai. But I can see areas where discipleship and witnessing are needed. In terms of ministry, it is necessary to keep in mind, “What is really important in this ministry? What should be my main work?” And, in terms of forming a new religious community of two persons — it is essential to find the balance. It is not about work, but about cultivating the inner disposition which is important, which is my relationship with God.
In the parish I am in charge of the youth ministry. In my work, I take time to sit, discern and pray over whether plans are really good for the ministry without overburdening with activities. Thus this summer there were two trainings that I attended and one that I chaperoned the youth to in order to prepare our parish for a stronger youth program in the Fall. For those in high school we plan to implement the Life Teen program. For those in grades six-eight, there is the Edge program. There was also a training for Christian leadership for our youth.
In my parish work of publishing the parish bulletin, it took me five months of learning how to use the Microsoft Publisher program before I felt comfortable with it. However, by the time Monday comes around each week, my stress level still rises. The parish bulletin is due by Tuesday at noon and it is a struggle to put together the content. I know I need to be more creative with the bulletin as the diocesan e-news, our parish website and the Hawaii Catholic Herald are already available resources for parishioners.
In order to address this challenge, I thought about inviting parishioners to write short stories of their faith witness. I also asked some parishioners if I could use some pictures that I saw them engaged in, for example a family that was serving the homeless. This fits in with the area of respect for life, the promotion of life that I usually include in the bulletin.
Organization is important because my spiritual life is a priority. Finding the right balance between work and community helps me to work better in my ministry and community. Central to our Dominican lifestyle is community prayer, regular religious observances and the common life. Sometimes, Sister Gina and I miss the regular prayer life in a large community. But, we have adapted with common prayer, dialogue and sharing. Both of us had the same religious formator so we know how to deal with tensions and challenges. We make time for intentional time to share, practice music for Mass and share. Our evening meal together is important.
One of our 4-year old boys saw the crucifix in our office and asked, “How come Jesus has an owee?” I replied, “Because he loved us so much.” The little boy said, “I wish I could do the same.”
Perhaps that might be another column for the bulletin. Or, perhaps another challenge, for all of us in cultivating our inner disposition, our relationship with God that we may more live Christ and share Christ.
Sister Jennifer Ober is a Dominican Sister of Siena. She is 21 years professed. She is the director of Youth Ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish in Lihue, Kauai, and resides in community at Immaculate Conception convent.
