Deborah’s court: Empowering women for mission

Dec 06, 2024

PENANG: Recognising that some women feel uncomfortable sharing personal matters in group discussions, the Penang Diocese Vocation Team (PDVT) introduced a bold and innovative vocation programme designed specifically for women, creating a safe space for open discussion and fellowship.

The theme of the weekend was ‘Deborah’s Court: Empowered for Mission’, inspired by the story of Deborah from the Book of Judges, Chapters 4 and 5. Deborah’s threefold calling as a Prophet, Judge, and Warrior served as the foundation for exploring women’s roles in mission, both in Scripture and in today’s world.

With a spark of creativity, the PDVT organised an exclusive programme for young women, focusing on the charisms of Deborah and other women in the Bible. The weekend explored the calls to Marriage, Singlehood, and Religious Life, offering participants a deeper understanding of their vocations. Meanwhile, the male lay team members were assigned to kitchen duties, allowing their wives, along with the Rev Sisters and other women, to engage in meaningful group discussions.

This unique programme empowered the women of the parish to reflect on their own calling and mission, fostering a supportive and enriching environment for spiritual growth.

The programme was held from October 4 to 6 at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Lorong Batu Lancang in Air Itam, Penang. The participants were blessed to be the first, after many years, to use the large bungalow where the first congregation of Little Sisters lived. The bungalow, donated by the late Mr Aw Boon Par and Mdm. Teh Ah Lan of the then famous “Tiger Balm” family, was named Villa Maria. The Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor said that since everyone was involved in Synodality, they needed to open their space and place to be available for mission.

The programme saw the participation of six women, aged 21 to 34, from various locations, including Penang Island and Sungai Siput. The team facilitating the programme was a diverse group, comprising members from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary; Sisters of the Infant Jesus; Kongregasi Puteri Karmel; Canossian Daughters of Charity; Little Sisters of the Poor; Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; Auxiliary of the Apostolate; married women, and the Project Coordinator for Caritas. The team was led by Fr Desmond Jensen, Assistant Vocation Director of the PDVT.
The programme began with a warm welcome address by chairman Emmanuel Dorai, followed by an engaging icebreaker session led by Rachel Maria. This session allowed participants and team members to mingle, setting the stage for deeper, personal sharing during group discussions and informal one-on-one conversations over meals and breaks.

On the first evening, Carmelita Xavier-Arokiadass opened the session by sharing her personal journey of discovering her mission and ministry. She spoke about how women are equally loved and empowered by God, blessed with the gifts and talents needed for their mission. She encouraged the participants to take the first step and respond to God's call.

The following morning, Fr Desmond offered insights into the concept of vocation. He reminded the participants of their Baptismal promises, emphasising their responsibility to become priests, kings, and prophets. He highlighted the importance of prayer, listening to one’s inner voice, reading the Bible, and discerning God's Will through Scripture (1 Samuel 3:1-3, Luke 10:38-42).

Leoreen Heah Rodrigues then spoke about the gifts mentioned in Scripture and shared examples of women in the Bible who used their talents to glorify God through their actions and lives.

Bernadette Teh highlighted the importance of ongoing formation, focusing on the essentials: prayer, the Word of God, service, community, and the sacraments. She also shared her calling to the Auxiliary of the Apostolate, describing how they serve the needs of the Church through their gifts.

Amelia Beatrice reintroduced the Holy Spirit to the group, sharing the acronym POWER, which stands for Prayer, Obedience, Worship, Eucharist, and Repentance. She led a prayer session where women ministered to women, offering support from a woman’s perspective, which added a deeper meaning to the experience.

On the final day, a forum was held where Sisters from various orders shared the unique calls they had received. It was a heartwarming session as Rev Sisters and lay apostolates recounted their struggles and challenges in answering God’s call. For some, it was heartbreaking to leave their families, but once they had decided to follow Jesus, they surrendered their lives to God’s Will, finding peace and joy in their path.