VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
My family’s farm in Iyasan village in Igbaras in the Philippines is an ancestral farm. It belongs to the Ebanen family. Having been passed down from grandfather and great-grandfather, my family continues certain traditions.
Growing up, I remember walking 45 minutes across fields of green and dusty roads to reach the town school. Because of limited access, it was hard to get a priest to visit the village. However, once a year he did respond to the invitation to come to celebrate Mass in our family chapel. Mass was offered for our family ancestors. Included in the Mass intentions were those of the village community. After Mass, all in the community were treated to a free meal. My brothers and sisters continue this tradition.
Through their humble examples, my parents taught our family how to care for others. Although work on the farm was hard, my father was yet generous with his stepbrothers and stepsisters in sharing the fruit of the land. Despite occasional family disputes and bickering, he always reminded everyone of the importance of prayer and forgiveness. He taught by his example to be strong in faith, that we cannot do anything without God’s help and that of Mother Mary.
I remember when I was about to leave home to become a religious, my mom said to me, “You are stronger than your older brother and sister, who will take care of us? What will happen if you leave?” I responded, “God will provide.”
God does provide. I have spent more of my life on mission abroad than I have at home. Much of my growth as a religious took place here in Hawaii. From the time I arrived in 1978 and was sent to teach at St. Catherine School in Kapaa, my life has been full. My vocation has been strengthened here through the kindness and love of the people. There was so much I did not know, that became treasured experiences.
As I move on to a new assignment and experience working with the elderly and those in memory care, I carry with me the values I learned from my parents on our ancestral farm. I think I inherited my father’s patience. Patience is important in caring for others, especially the elderly. Whether it is helping someone into the car, waiting for someone in the car, or pushing someone’s wheelchair, patience is important. And loving others as God loves us.
Every time I say my prayers, I do pray for the grace of perseverance as a religious. Because, as I remember being taught, God created us to know him, to love him and to serve him. I am grateful.
Sister Ma. Teresa Ebanen is a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary. Born to Pablo and Adelaida Ebanen in Iyasan, Igbaras, she is the third of eight children. She has served at St. Catherine’s School, Kauai; Holy Cross School, Kauai; St. John the Baptist School, Honolulu; Dominican Center Hawaii, Waipio; House of Aloha, Waianae; and also in California. She is 47 years professed and will be ministering at Arch Memory Care in Houston, Texas.