Fall 2006, Volume 49, Number 3

The Heart of a Missionary

“Mother taught us to be there for other people. With six children to raise after dad died, she taught us a lot of common sense and the value that we were all responsible for each other,” says Sister Therese Marie Hawes as she reflects on the influence and values her family life had on her years as an educator and missionary. In a family of six children and raised by a young widow, Sister learned the core values needed for a missionary heart. This past spring, she returned to the United States after serving 32 years in Bolivia.

The value of responsibility expanded into skills of the heart and traits of the soul. “As a teacher in a country school, Mother saw that hospitality was to all, even to those better off than we were. I had to learn early that she meant that everybody was invited! We learned shared responsibility from Mom and Dad – all of us worked. Most importantly, they taught us faith, prayer and the truth that God sees good in every thing and every one, and gives all a chance to grow. God can get something good out of anything.”

“We might have crosses, but good may come out of it,” reflects Sister. “In April 1941, our barn was struck by lightening. With Dad already deceased, our hired man did what he could and neighbors came to help. Although we lost our cows, calves and horses, mother kept faith in God. We learned that God knows best and is with us in good and bad times.”

Ellen Hawes also taught her children the importance of education. During WWII, she bought war bonds, Sister recalls, that helped in the years when she and her siblings were growing up, especially, when brothers, Cletus and Donald, went to college.

When Sister Therese Marie first went to Entre Ríos, Bolivia, she began teaching typing and calligraphy classes in the Academia. Eventually she began catechist training and working with health promoters. To do these ministries effectively, she visited many homes, listened, shared and encouraged people.

“The sisters in Entre Ríos often talk about the ‘door ministry’ and how everybody in the house shares in it,” states Sister. Door ministry involves the simple act of answering the door of your home and listening to the persons who come for guidance. “We greeted them and their children, blessed their holy water and burial sheets, cared for their sick, or gave them what we could of material necessities. I tried to understand and be understood and to not just ‘pass out money’ and then close the door, but to help them think through their problems.”

Walking with the people of Bolivia holds heartfelt memories and treasures for Sister Therese Marie. “Seeing them grow was one of my greatest joys,” she remarks. “I loved doing leadership talks, cursillos (classes) and meetings. Recognizing their talents and seeing them use those talents was a joy. It was wonderful to teach others to teach and to help them learn the method and content to teach religion in their cultural context. Through their Baptism they became catechists!”

In the heart of a true missionary is the desire to work oneself out of a job. “The challenge is clear,” says Sister. “How do we help people without creating dependency? Our goal is to create systems and structures that enable people to get along without us.”

Many experiences during her years in Bolivia speak to Sister Therese Marie of the charism of Nano Nagle. “Welcoming everybody, especially the poor, speaks of Nano’s hospitality. How we receive and accept a person, ‘Bienvenida,’ defines who we are.”

“The sisters in Entre Ríos visit the sick as Nano did. Being an advocate at the local hospital and helping families of the sick and suffering is important, especially when they get frustrated about not being of much importance in the minds of others.”

Sharing Nano’s charism is just as important to Sister Therese Marie now, whether she is with the sisters at Mount Loretto or with family and friends. “I share with others here my experiences in Bolivia; and I accept the challenge to adapt to a different life in our U.S. culture where people can take so much for granted and where there is so much materialism.”

Since returning to the U.S., Sister Therese Marie has found time to help with a weekend of missionary talks, tutor Spanish, attend Presentation community celebrations and several parish anniversary celebrations, participate in the 2006 Convergence and be with family and friends. She now looks forward to a trip to the Amazon River and several Caribbean Islands with her brothers, Fathers Cletus and Donald Hawes, her sister Joan Rydz, and a cousin, Sister Rita Baum, SSJ.

Perhaps one of the clan from Allamakee County, IA, and cousin, Presentation Sister Kay Cota, says it best: “Even though the spotlight might shine on her, Sister Therese Marie casts not a shadow because of her five-foot stature. However, she has been a beacon of light and hope to thousands of children and their parents in her years of loving service as teacher and principal in schools in Iowa. She has been a breath of fresh air and a bolt of lightening with her ever-ready smile, helping hands and swiftness of mind and feet. After years of service to the people of Entre Ríos, Bolivia, Sister Therese Marie has returned home and gladly shares pictures and learnings about the richness of the culture and life of her beloved Bolivian people.”

Pictured is Sister Therese Marie with the children of Bolivia.