by Sr Marietta Parsons smsm
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb;
naked I shall return.” Job 1:21
Five Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary – Srs Alice Hardiman, Etevise Ioane, Pafuti Crichton, Selina Tuilagi and Marietta Parsons, and our postulant, Kirsten Sloan, a nurse at Starship Hospital, were asked to go to Samoa to support and assist our SMSM Sisters in Apia, and to be with and help the people in need.
The five SMSM Sisters & the Church that survived the tsunami
Six signs of hope linked with the fourteen Sisters living in Samoa, who together have been beacons of light and hope to the people in this difficult time.
“At St Mary’s College,” Sr Pelenatete said, “ten teachers and about one hundred students were at school when the earthquake struck. Within a few minutes the siren went. Tsunami. Short prayer and then all on the road to St Joseph’s College, their venue point. When they arrived, after a good half hour walk, they all sat and waited – and waited – for the ‘all clear’ signal to come – but it didn’t – they heard that the tsunami had struck along the south coast and huge damage. All realized that the drills had been no laughing matter – crying, fear for families along the coastal areas and shock.”
Later, Sr Marietta said that she was shocked at the devastation of the southern and eastern coastlines, where thriving villages had been reduced to rubble, and of course, so many lives, especially children, lost. Sister Sosefina said, “We may have lost everything but we have not lost our faith in God.” Yes, Samoa will build again, will grow, with deeper and stronger roots.
The Sisters were involved in praying with those who had lost loved ones, nursing, counselling and visiting the hospital where there were so many injured, delivering supplies to families living under tarpaulins and in tents. Working with the school children, (about 1,300 in SMSM two schools) through grieving processes and discussing skills with the teachers, allowing them to grieve, was an urgent need that the Sisters helped fulfil.
Srs Marietta and Alice preparing lanterns and kerosene
Sr Marietta with an injured mother who lost her three children
Nurse Kirsten Sloan tending the injured
St Etevise’s personal reflections – “The most touching and humbling experience was meeting the victims of the tsunami face to face. Their stories and the massive injuries were enough to break one’s heart. Most of these people have lost many loved ones, especially children, parents and grandparents. How can one even try to comfort someone who just lost thirteen members of her family? Or a grandfather who has lost all his six grandchildren? – or a mother her three young children? One can only sit and share the pain, pray for comfort and healing, hopefully, one day.”
Sr Selina went over to American Samoa where she had lost an aunty when the tsunami hit Leone village. She said, “Listening to victims sharing and experiencing their pain strengthens my own faith that God is still alive everywhere. The tsunami brings people and nations of the world together.”
Sr Alice, in the Psycho-Social Response Team under the Mental Health Dept, commented, “The spiritual dimension is so important and patients appreciate prayer. Their faith is amazing and they speak with thanksgiving to God. Nearly all say, “You spared us, Lord. If the tsunami had been in the night, none of us would have survived!” Kristen, nursing in the wards, was surprised to hear how grateful people were, for the help of both overseas and local doctors and nurses, and she said that she didn’t hear anyone complaining about God, or about the pain they were experiencing.
Sr Josephine Gresham, Provincial, expressed, “I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has responded so generously to this tsunami situation. Prayers, expressions of support and concern have flooded in from all around the world. Our Sisters, other members of the Marist Family, friends, relatives and family members, have been moved with compassion and responded generously.
