VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Following Jesus the Good Shepherd as our inspiration and model, we live our daily lives in a contemplative way. As Jesus, the Good Shepherd set aside the ninety-nine to look for the one lost sheep, so do we Religious of the Good Shepherd look for the lost, the least, the last, and those who in the margins. As our foundress, St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier urged us, “What are we doing in this world? Why are we here if not to contribute to the salvation of our brothers and sisters?”
I am grateful for this opportunity, granted by my provincial in the Philippines, to be here in Hawaii to take care of my aging parents. However, I am not the first Good Shepherd Sister to land in Hawaii. In 1976, Bishop John J. Scanlan opened the Mary Jane Home for unwed mothers and their children. He invited us to operate the home, which we did until 1998.
In the Philippines, I worked in Mindanao in advocacy training providing sessions for the women and children left behind by migrant family members. The Philippines has many overseas foreign workers. It is a big problem when children end up being abused, neglected or not provided for by the relatives they are left behind with. Or when students turn to juvenile delinquency because there is no one to follow up on them. It is important to accompany those who are in physical and spiritual need having been hurt, lost and living in the margins.
We have a program called “Sons and Daughters of Migrant Workers.” Going from school to school and parish to parish, for those who do let us in, we seek to change the unjust structures in society by educating them, providing resources and networking, and giving assistance through networking with others. Each December on International Migrant’s Day, we provide sessions, information on livelihood and women’s rights, along with activities for the children.
When challenges or stumbling blocks arise, as is natural to the nature of the ministry, I take the problems to prayer. This is God’s work, not mine, not ours. Thus, in my prayer I say, “God, I offer you … I lift up those who are not open to helping, to change, etc.” And I continue to try to do my best, to do what I can. That is why Religious of the Good Shepherd take a fourth vow — zeal for the salvation of persons.
Personally, right now being out of my religious community and taking care of my parents is a new ministry. Everything we do, however, is a form of prayer especially for those who practice the contemplative way of living. In my congregation, our lifestyle is characterized by both the apostolic and the contemplative ways. Thus, I try to join with the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa at least once or twice a week. Their support allows me to keep a sense of community living.
Sister Mari Josephine Panem is a member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (also known as Religious of the Good Shepherd or Good Shepherd Sisters). She is on family ministry in Hawaii from the Philippines, taking care of her parents.
