Toni Bissen and her family. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
Toni Bissen spends much of her time serving, whether proclaiming the word as a lector, singing in the choir or helping with forest preservation. Of all the work she does, she feels most blessed to be involved with prison ministry.
Bissen serves by teaching classes at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua. Often, she will spend time with women when they are just released from prison.
“It makes me happy to see women who go from not having any hope to becoming hopeful,” Bissen says. “I see miracles happening. When they are released, they experience true freedom. I am so thankful to have a little part in that. It’s a gift.”
Bissen is executive director of the Pua Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports justice-involved women and girls and their families. She also serves with the Diocese of Honolulu’s “Star Light, Star Bright,” a Christmas program for children of women who are incarcerated; keiki are even flown in from other islands for this event held at WCCC.
This cause is near and dear to Bissen’s heart. She says she enjoys watching youth group members interact with the women and children: “This is how the youth are learning to serve and be compassionate.
“I love watching them develop a heart for service through this event.”
A few years ago, one volunteer told Bissen that she was there to “show God’s love.” Bissen thought that was a perfect explanation.
Bissen is involved in service in both her professional and personal lives. She quotes James 2:14: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” Bissen lives by this and couples her faith with service.
One can find Bissen at Mary, Star of the Sea Church during the 5:30 p.m. Mass as a lector and the 6:30 a.m. Mass as a member of the choir. When her children were attending Mary, Star of the Sea School, she would also help out then.
In addition to her work with the Pua Foundation, Bissen serves with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and with the Going Home Consortium, which helps justice-involved men, women and children reintegrate into the community. She is also a lay Marianist.
“Ministry is a family,” she says. “It’s how you live out your faith. We should all find a way to be of service — it’s what we are called to do.”
Bissen is married to Dane Shinto, and the couple have two daughters.
Bissen’s best advice is to serve, as it will benefit your life like it has hers.
“You learn about the faith through service,” she says. “You can’t just talk about it. You have to live it.”
Bissen is grateful she has the opportunity to serve those in need around her.