VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“I am happy because I feel that I am more close to Jesus,” said one little child. It is really heartwarming to know the children are getting it when asked, “Do you understand what stewardship is?” Of course, some answer, “I don’t really get it. But, I always hear it all the time.” When I hear that, I reply, “Do you want me to explain it to you?” Thus, begins my explanation of why we do what we do here in the parish.
“Stewardship is acknowledging that all the gifts we have — all the things around us and inside us — that everything is from God,” I tell the children. For example, I ask them, “Do you have a gift for music?” “Yes!” their voices chime. “Be thankful to God for that. If you are really thankful to God,” I continue, “what will you do?” “Sing!” the children reply.
“Correct,” I respond. “When you are grateful, you can’t help it but to share. When you share your gift, Jesus is happy. And when you sing at Mass from your heart, sometimes people can feel your song leading them into prayer. Jesus wants us to share our talents.” I continue with explaining how it is that when they share their talents, they enhance them, not lose them.
Stewardship is like that. When you share, people will come. Then, when they come, they will realize that they also have talents like you. Eventually, the confidence and courage to share follows. The children’s choir for example began with less than 20 members. Now, there are over 50 members because others were inspired.
“How many hours are there in a day?” I once asked. “24,” the children responded. “How many hours are there in a year?” I continued. Silence ensued until some older students responded, “8,760.” “So,” I pressed further, “Why is it so difficult for us to give up one hour of our time to thank God for all that we have received through coming to Mass? Just, one hour for Jesus, who is the head of the church?” Some children looked puzzled, not quite understanding the teaching I was trying to impart. So, I made the analogy, “If we can spend one hour on our iPad, or on Facebook, then why can’t we spend one hour celebrating the gift of time with others in the parish?”
During our recent Advent recollection, I had some of the children share their stories of how they are involved in the church. One child shared, “If I were to face God, and he were to ask me if I spent the gift he gave me, I want to say ‘I did.’ Before, I did not really understand what the Mass was. My parents did not go to church. But, when I started joining the choir and learning how to play the ukulele, one thing led to another. I was asked to read, and then to be an altar server. Later, I discovered that I had a gift for singing as I was asked to lead a responsorial psalm. I love going to church now, because I have something to do.”
The simple, rich stewardship reflections they shared moved parents to share their stories as well. It was the good news that needed to be heard.
Sister Gina Senapilo is a Dominican Sister of St. Catherine of Sienna. She is 23 years professed. She serves as the director of religious education at Immaculate Conception Parish in Lihue, Kauai.
