VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Here in these two containers, I have just prepared our traditional foods of okro stew and gari. Okro is our name for okra. For the base of the reddish okro stew, I used some moko shito. Shito is a black pepper sauce with fish and shrimp that one can purchase already prepared. For the gari, I used Ghana gari which comes in a package. Gari is cassava flour made from fresh cassava that has been soaked before grating, dried, and then fried without oil. It makes nice grits.
There are two priests from the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana, on loan to the Diocese of Honolulu for five years. Father Joseph Ayinpuusa is ministering at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Parish in Mililani, and myself. I have just concluded my service as the administrator of St. John the Baptist Parish in Kalihi and am now moving into hospital chaplaincy. Next year, I look forward to going home to Navrongo-Bolgatanga.
Being a missionary in Hawaii has had its challenges and joys, and yet, I do miss home. I am grateful to Bishop Larry for the experience of working with different cultures. In the parishes I have been assigned to — Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City, St. Catherine in Kapaa and here at St. John the Baptist in Kalihi — I have noticed the majority of the parishioners have not been of the Hawaiian culture, per say. For example, here at St. John’s, the largest groups are the Spanish, Chuukese, Filipino and Samoan people, along with a few other ethnic groups.
In my home diocese, various parishes also serve about six different languages, groups and cultures at once, as well.
The time spent in parish ministry has been most enriching. I cannot say that I am not called to be a missionary, however; leaving the familiar is not easy. It takes time to get to know and grow with the people.
Back home there were priests from Canada and Ireland along with the Sacred Hearts priests that instilled in us the love of Mary. They taught us how important Mary’s role in life really is. Hers is a mother’s role, and when people run into trouble, the mother is always there.
Every morning, I do pray to our blessed Mother Mary asking her to help me fulfill my mission wherever I am. Mary was filled missionary zeal when she said, “Thy will be done.” Not knowing what the future holds, but through her intercession, I ask for the strength to serve well, as that is what I want to do, to serve the Lord well. Along with praying the rosary, I know she gives me strength to continue in any mission.
Father Moses Akebule is a diocesan priest from the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Ghana. He is 29 years ordained. He resides at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.