Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
My fondest memory of Hawaii is climbing trees in Waianae. We used to have a lot of trees in the former House of Aloha assisted living facility. There was an abundance of oranges and avocados. It was so much fun being able to pick and eat them fresh off the tree.
That is like God’s graces throughout my missionary life — abundant, even in the midst of different challenges.
I never thought I would be a missionary. One day, after General Chapter in the Philippines, Mother Celestine came to me and told me that I was being assigned to Hawaii.
I replied, “No, I can’t go. I have asthma.” She did not change her mind.
Between tears, I chatted with my older sister over the phone. What I thought was eight minutes turned into over an hour.
My sister asked me if I had ever dreamed of going to faraway places. I responded, “No.”
Seventeen years ago, on Aug. 1, I arrived in Hawaii. My first mission was at Rosary Preschool in Waipio Gentry where I taught for four years. Then I was assigned to St. Elizabeth School in Aiea for eight years.
Responding to other needs, I was reassigned back to Rosary Preschool for two more years, before being tasked to teach at St. Michael School in Waialua. Sister Emilie Basitas, OP, and I were the first Dominicans to teach there. It was a new ministry.
However, after two years at St. Michael School, I was asked to go back to St. Elizabeth School before being transferred to the mainland.
One of the early challenging adjustments was getting used to not having a naptime. In the Philippines, after lunch, students have about an hour or more in the afternoon before classes resume. Some go home to eat their lunch and take a nap before returning to school. As classes end late, sometime around 5 p.m., I would also take a short nap.
However, once I started to report to the classroom, things changed. Whenever I saw the kids taking a nap, I found myself forcing my eyes to stay open!
When things get really tough in life or ministry, I take some time and just open the Bible. I read whatever phrase or text is there and see what God has to say. God does speak; God does care.
I really like Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd…” I really miss the children of Hawaii. But, there are other pastures to minister to, and cherries and persimmons to pick.
Sister Mary Sixtilles Pillado is a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. She is 27 years professed. She currently ministers at Holy Angels School in Colma, California.