The Good Samaritan Sisters in Kiribati have had two occasions for thanksgiving recently, with Sister Kawi Arebonto appointed the Congregation’s Local Leader and Sister Taabeia Ibouri renewing her temporary vows.
By Debra Vermeer
Following her appointment as Local Leader for Kiribati by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Council, Kawi travelled to Thailand, accompanied by Sister Michelle Reid SGS, to take part in the Discerning Leadership Asia Pacific Workshop.
“I felt very honoured and excited when I was appointed as a Local Leader,” Kawi said. “I was excited because this was the first time that one of the Sisters in my community has had the opportunity to serve as a Local Leader.
“I saw it as an opportunity to serve my community, listen to each Sister’s perspective, and learn more about leadership.
“My understanding of the role is to be a positive role model, support and encourage others, and take responsibility with a positive attitude.
“It also involves listening to each Sister’s needs, working together as a community, and representing the Superior when needed, especially during diocesan events. Through this role, I hope to learn, grow and become a better leader.”
As part of her growth in leadership, the Congregation’s leadership invited Kawi to participate in the Discerning Leadership Asia Pacific Workshop in Thailand in September.
The Jesuit-run program is described as providing “a robust formation experience that integrates Catholic spirituality, adult learning and development, and leadership best practices”.
It aims to bring Ignatian practices of spiritual discernment to the implementation of synodality, as advocated by the late Pope Francis.
Michelle is the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Council’s contact councillor for Kiribati and said that she too found the workshop to be a valuable experience.
Sister Kawi Arebonto SGS in Thailand. Photo credit: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
With its focus on Asia and the Pacific, Michelle said there were 37 participants from 11 countries, including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, Kiribati and Australia.
“It was excellent,” Michelle said. “I think we’re very fortunate as Good Samaritan Benedictines that we have that aspect of discernment and listening as part of our own charism.
“Being with such a varied group of religious women and men, as well as lay people, I came home with a sense of gratitude for our charism and particularly for the vow of conversion. The foundation for a discerning leader is conversion. Your own inner work is crucial and needs to be a daily practice.
“Another quote which stood out to me was, ‘it’s not just learning to lead, but it’s learning how to be led as well’.
“And being led is the gift of discernment, because we’re there to discern the movement of God. If you’re not listening and attuned to how God is acting in everyone, if you’re clinging to just your perspective and can’t let go, it’s very hard to discern God’s action.”
Michelle said the process of listening and discussion at the workshop modelled the synodal way.
“Our small group discussions would start with sharing our personal experience and then in the second round it would turn to ‘What did I hear the group say?’ In that process you go from ‘I’ to ‘we’, and that completely changes your perspective,” she said.
“It’s the movement towards that understanding of what’s coming from the context of the group that helps you to see the movement of God and the Spirit. You want to help the group discern and to move towards something together. It was very powerful.”
Local Leader Sister Kawi Arebonto (left) receives Sister Taabeia Ibouri’s vows. Photo credit: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
Each day began with a shared recap of the previous day and ended with the Jesuit practice of The Examen, embedding the practice of spiritual discernment into the rhythm of the program.
Speakers also shone a light on the role of culture in leadership. Other topics included leadership style, navigating polarities, and self-care in leadership.
Kawi said the highlight for her was meeting and interacting with people from so many different countries.
“Most of the participants were from Asia, while Michelle and I were the only participants from the Pacific,” she said. “The participants included priests, brothers, sisters, and a few lay people.
“The workshop also helped me to understand leadership in a deeper way, especially the importance of listening, working together, and living out a synodal way of life.
“This was my first visit to Thailand, and so it was a special experience for me to discover a new country, culture and community. I also enjoyed the Thai food.”
Kawi said she is looking forward to sharing what she learnt from the workshop with her Sisters in Kiribati.
“The workshop taught me the importance of being a good leader by listening to each other’s needs, working together and understanding different perspectives,” she said.
“I hope to put these lessons into practice in my role as a Local Leader and encourage others to work together as a community.”
Sister Taabeia Ibouri SGS. Photo credit: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
Meanwhile, in Kiribati, Taabeia renewed her religious vows for a further two years on 5 September during a simple liturgy as part of Evening Prayer with the Sisters in her local community.
Kawi said it was a “special and meaningful experience” for her to receive Taabeia’s renewal of vows on behalf of Congregational Leader Sister Catherine McCahill SGS, in her new role as Local Leader.
“I felt honoured and grateful to be part of such an important moment in her journey,” she said.
“This experience reminded me of the responsibility I have as a leader to support, encourage, and walk alongside my sisters in their vocation.”
Taabeia, who is studying at the Kiribati Teachers College and is the Congregation’s Safeguarding Coordinator in Kiribati, said that having Kawi receive her renewal of vows was also a special moment for her.
“My renewal of vows was the first time Sister Kawi received my vows in her role as Local Leader,” she said.
“It was a meaningful moment for me, not only because she represented Sister Catherine, but also because her new role is a significant step for us as sisters here in Kiribati. It reminds us of the opportunity to grow in taking greater responsibility for our local community and supporting one another, especially as it is all new.”
Taabeia said her renewal of temporary vows was an important milestone along her path of vocational discernment and formation as a Sister of the Good Samaritan.
“It is still my time of discernment in continuing the journey of listening, learning and growing in my relationship with God and others,” she said.
Sisters Kawi Arebonto SGS (left) and Michelle Reid. Photo credit: Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
