VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“Aunty, aunty! Let’s go outside and play now,” the children often call to me. Sometimes they grab my hand, tug at the scapular of my religious habit, or even my leg wanting me to go with them. “Aunty, I need my bottle (water bottle).” “Aunty, I need to go to the bathroom.” “Aunty, can I have some more snacks?” How do you be attentive to children when you might be busy with things that you need to finish?
My day starts with community prayers at 5:30 a.m. After the last Amen, I walk across the street to open the church and prepare things for Mass at 6:30 a.m. After Mass, I clean the ciborium and the chalice letting others finish up putting things away. By 7 a.m. I am at the preschool ready to help watch the early students before I begin prepping their snacks and lunch meal. Everyday holds something new. Jesus calls, and we need to respond.
I was not always patient with students. But, having taken courses in early childhood development, I know that when a child calls, I need to respond. Children only know what they want at a given time. They are too small to understand why you might not give them the attention they are asking for. So, I leave my work in the kitchen, and go with them. They need to be heard and feel that they are. Sometimes, I might feel inconvenienced, but children need understanding appropriate to their age level in order to grow.
So, I go with them, talk with them and ask them what they need. Sometimes, I too need to explain to them when they can’t understand why they can’t get what they want. One boy, for example after finishing his snack, came back to the kitchen a few more times asking for more. Each time, I gave him one or more extra pieces. Finally, I asked him, “Do you know how many times you have asked for more snack?” With a big smile, he raised up all the fingers on one hand and two on the other to show me seven fingers, meaning seven times. His response was absolutely precious. Smiling, I said: “Look at your tummy. It is like a balloon ready to pop.” He laughed. When I spoke to his grandmother, she said that he really loves to eat. And, even at home he is challenged with moderating his eating so he won’t grow up overweight.
Once we understand the behavior of the children, we are apt to be more patient. Many times I have asked myself, “Why me? Why are the children coming to me? Why do they call me aunty? I am busy. I have my kitchen duties to take care of.” But, taking things to prayer, I recognize that the children are Jesus himself calling me, and that he needs my help through them. It is a humbling and a great opportunity to serve and respond. God always provides the help I need as well.
Sister Ma. Otelia Forteleza is a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. Born in Dumalag, Capiz, she is the second of 10 children in her family. In 1989 she accepted a mission to Hawaii. She is 39 years professed and resides at the Dominican Center Hawaii in Waipio where she is the local superior and meal preparer for Rosary Preschool.