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PNG WOMEN'S PRISON MINISTRY
Theresia Boyek rsm from Papua New Guinea, shares with us her experiences working in Goroka with the women in prison:
When the Sisters of Mercy moved to Goroka, they saw the great need to assist the women in Prison. Requests were made for the Sisters to visit the women and to teach them skills that might assist them after they leave prison. Towards the end of 2003, we began to assist these women in the prison and found them crying out for help.
In 2004, I set up courses in cooking, sewing, knitting, Bible Sharing and also some counselling. At present there are 32 women prisoners and I am only permitted to visit them one day a week.
Although, I'm still finding my feet on how to best establish my ministry in prison, this work is life giving for me, because I sense the enormous benefits these women obtain from the group sessions, individual counselling, cooking, Bible sharing and prayer time.
A few of the women prisoners would like to express, in their own words, their stories about what they have experienced or learnt from my time with them.
(Our thanks and appreciation to Sr Theresia for the translation of these stories from "Pidgin".)
My name is Rebecca and I would like to express my feelings about the things that we do with Sr. Theresia during her visits every Tuesday:
I'm in prison here at Bihute; the national court has given me 12 years in prison. I have learnt so many good things from Sr. Theresia, because I am one of those women from the village who didn't know much about the different ways of preparing food. I have learnt how to bake cakes, biscuits and other things as well. She also provides us with a recipe book and translates them into Pidgin. I have gained a lot from her and now I can do all of those things I have already learnt. We have cooked some of these things and sold them during the coffee festival and at other big celebrations in town. I am so happy that when my term is finished I will have something to offer to my family and community and also earn some money for myself.
However, on the spiritual side Sr. Theresia teaches us some ways in Bible Sharing. In this way, sharing a word or line that touches us, really strengthens us to stand firm in our Christian faith to trust in God that He will lead and direct our lives with His Spirit, so we can have a new life in Him.
I can say clearly that I really admire the work Sr. Theresia is doing with us in the prison. Every Wednesday evening is our prayer time and we often pray for her and also for Fr. John Ryan for their time and the things they have shared with us the prisoners. Thank you.
My name Is Dorothy and here is a short summary about the Mercy Sisters' visit.
As a female detainee I have so much enjoyed the Mercy Sisters Programme, which they have provided for us the prisoners. I've also learnt much from the cooking lessons and also the other help they provide.
Apart from this, they educate us spiritually which helped me to really see my failures and weakness in my spiritual life. I pray that the good Lord will bless and further extend their loving Ministerial Service which they provide to us the female prisoners.
The service that the Sisters provide has a big impact on us individually, as I for one have witnessed. Most of us are mothers who once were good managers of our homes and families, but there are some important areas where we are lacking. The Mercy Sisters guide us through spiritual counselling to be good mothers, wives, sisters to our families and really change our behaviour and attitudes and some bad habits we have. Most of us have truly come to see what we're lacking in and now our aims and goals are to further educate our fellow families and communities as a whole.
Thank you Mercy Sisters. God bless you, Sr. Theresia and all.
My name is Wasa and I have been given 18 years in prison - it will be a long time before I can leave.
During my time here in Bihute, I often get homesick and sometimes wonder if anyone from home loves me or cares about me, but I believe there is someone who always cares for me, he is God the Father. God's love and peace inspired the Prison Commander to allow Sr. Theresia to come and visit us, especially to share God's Word. Sharing prayers with us is important and very special because it really strengthens the spiritual growth in our lives.
The other important thing that Sr Theresia taught us was cooking. She showed us different ways of preparing food and also how to bake cakes and cookies in the oven. These are some of the new things that we had never done before. This experience, of learning new ways of cooking, is very helpful for each one of us. We believe and hope, when we complete our term in prison and go to our homes, we will have something good to offer to our families and also in helping ourselves, so we do not put ourselves into such a situation again.
Sr. Theresia is like a new family sister to us and visits us regularly. The work she is doing by visiting with people like us won't be forgotten. I would like to strengthen her by saying; be happy and rejoice at all times in her visitation because she is giving a good service to us. We will always pray for her work.
This is all to express my words of thanks and joy from my heart. May God's blessing be upon her in her ministry. Thank you.
Apart from all these stories, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to your Board Members, for the support you have given us and for allowing the Executive Officer of Mercy Works Inc, Sr Maryanne Loughry, to visit us and experience the ministry that we are involved in. Having Sr Maryanne personally visiting the places, especially in meeting the people face to face, is something very special to me. Writing a report is very important, but it can't fully give an idea of how things work here in PNG. When visiting the places and people it really gives more meaning and understanding to the backgrounds of the ministries. I was inspired by Sr Maryanne's visit and really appreciated her time with us, and the energy she put into her visit to Goroka. Sr Maryanne also made a very helpful presentation to help us understand the structure of Mercy Works and how it operates.
I have many good memories of our time together and I do believe that she left with some happy experiences and memories. The women in prison also greatly appreciated Sr Maryanne's time with them - they are still taking about her visit and saying what a lively person she is. I also support their comments - Maryanne is full of life!
United in Mercy Spirit
Theresia Boyek rsm
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