Ministry to Rural Women

WORKING WITH WOMEN

Working with women is a very good and appropriate thing for me to do as a religious person. As a woman, to be present, giving my time to them, in any way needed. Once a week we all come together to plan a program for three or six months. I enjoy working with them and am really happy to be present among them.

It can be very difficult and challenging working with the women. Sometimes l get upset or cry because of how they talk and say things that are not real or truthful. l stay silent then we talk and apologise. They are really open and honest with each other. The difficulties and challenges they give me turns into hope and strength and encourages me to do more with them. Sharing what I have and encouraging them to share their gifts and talents to each other. Even sharing their knowledge. As we know, Kiribati people will never never share their knowledge gifts and talents. They say it belongs to the family or clan and whatever is said stays there. I share with them how to run meetings. You know everyone talks at the same time and cannot listen to one another. What l see now is improving a lot.

In liturgy I show them some ways of praying. Or to make the Eucharist more meaningful. I teach them ways of saying the Rosary that is meaningful. We do Lectio Divina twice a month and they are getting better at sharing. They are opening up.

MEDITATION

One of the difficult parts is that it’s very hard for them as they can’t stay still and get distracted. At any gathering or function we always start with meditation to calm them before starting the function. Sometimes we act out the gospel or the readings. It really helps them to understand the readings. Sometimes I prepare a reflection with them. Once a year I prepare a five-day retreat whether in the station or on one of the islands. Our priest comes and says mass and gives a talk. We will all contribute or fundraise for petrol and food for this time of retreat. Our parish priest supports us and provides what we need.

COOKING

In terms of cooking l teach them simple ways of making, different types of cakes. Biscuits, roly poly, scones, pastry, marabi, rice and different ways to cook fish, not just boiling or barbequing. Making fish mornay, fish loaf, or something like that. They use this type of cooking for their marketing. They themselves too teach or share the way they cook different types of food. For example, the Melanesians taught the Kiribati women how they can cook cabbage with coconut milk and fish. How to make a pudding of tapioca with bananas etc.

SEWING

One of their favourite projects, which they love to work on.

SPORTS

We have games or sport twice a month. My people, they love competition in groups. If preparing the games, wow! You know everyone will turn up! We make three groups and name them, St Catherine of Siena, St Faustina and St Rita. Each group celebrates the feast day of their saint. Each group celebrates in different ways too. The most important thing is the liturgy and then other things come after.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

There are some issues concerning the communities. The land – mining and logging. We will call other women and have a joint meeting discussing the issue. We do whatever we need to do about it. We have our own groups as Catholic Women which is called Morning Star. We join other groups outside our own. When we have time to come together it has a program different from ours.

My ministry to the women is very important to me on my island of Wagina.

This is another group of women called ‘KAWAKI”. A very big group, comes from Katupika in Choiseul Wagina and Kia from Isabel. I like and love this group because it’s really amazing how we work together, coming from different islands, different churches, religions, language, cultures and traditions.

In working with the women, our presence encourages them to learn different ways of living and not to stick to the old fashion ways. One thing too, is that they are strengthening their faith and now are willing to become leaders in the church (leading prayers so on) and community in their own small villages. They take the responsibly that they are asked for. They don’t say No, but Yes, we will try, or I will try. I was very happy to see these changes in the women. They are really the right hand of the church.

I learn a lot from them too, and it gives me joy and happiness and I never give up, they are my strength.

Sr Tabi OP