By Liz Lum | Special to the Herald

Gilbert Santos has given countless hours of love to his parish of Blessed Sacrament in Pauoa Valley, a few minutes from downtown Honolulu. He has cared for the grounds and facilities. He has served in many ministries and numerous committees. For more than 50 years he has been our living treasure.

Now homebound at the age of 90 (he will be 91 on July 5), the once physically-able servant of God lives with his supportive wife Helen Sardinha. He has two daughters, Theresa and Agnes, and two grandchildren. A cradle Catholic, Gilbert is related to Bishop Larry Silva on his mother’s side.

He loves his church and its community. With a quivering voice, he reminisced about the days when he generously gave his time, talent and treasure to his parish because of his love for God. It was his way of expressing appreciation for all the prayers answered, and all the help provided, throughout a long life filled with bumps and curves. He sheds tears as he shares his wish to do what he used to do, but which his health won’t permit. After a pause, he expresses gratitude and delight that young people and others are following in his footsteps.

On his “up” days, and when God is willing, Gilbert, Helen and a daughter will be seen at Mass giving thanksgiving to God. They sit in the front pew, closest to the altar, to see and hear every part of the liturgy and to receive Communion. His presence is an example to the rest of us: Never give up. Hold on to your faith. Always have hope. Persevere.

He thanks Dennis Lum for driving them to church. Gilbert was a bus driver for 42 years for HRT, Honolulu Rapid Transit. Now his role is “passenger.”

Our parish is rich with Gilbert’s handiwork. There are the widened sidewalks, the painted red benches, the handicap logo, the parking stall lines and the hanging lights in the church.

He remembers painting the plant stands and then anchoring the legs so they wouldn’t “walk.” The parish buildings proudly display his repair work and his many improvements. Thanks to him, the facilities, including the handicap bathroom, are accessible and safe.

Not just the handy man, Gilbert used to greet parishioners, be an usher, distribute the Eucharist, visit the homebound, and serve Mass. He also cleaned the church and hall, pulled the ropes to put up the big Christmas trees, hauled the manger scene animals down from the choir loft so the ladies could set up the creche, climbed the rooftops, moved things around, fixed the rectory’s leaking pipes, lent a hand to any remodeling job including the “hole in the wall” confessional, built the deacon’s office, and helped Jack put up the tent for the church’s 50th anniversary celebration.

For Lent, he would burn the palms on Shrove Tuesday, then climb the ladder to cover the crucifix with the purple shroud. He recalls staying late many nights trying to finish jobs before calling it quits. His wife remembers that, too. “Yeah, he would come home in the wee hours. I would get worried and end up with praying the rosary for his safety.”

Prayer was a big part of Helen’s life. “I prayed to the Blessed Mother and did the novena at St. Augustine Church every Tuesday night for her help. First, I prayed the novena for my friend who needed help. Then when I had hard times, my friend prayed for me.”

Gilbert had been offered a stipend for his work, but he would not take it. “What I do is for the church. What I do is for God. I do all for God,” he said. “All the troubles I had, God had taken care. My wife had miscarriages. My wife was taken care by God.”

They prayed to God through the Blessed Mary for seven years. Their prayers were answered when their daughter Theresa was born. Three years later, they were blessed with Agnes, who now has two children. They continue to pray the rosary today, grateful to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and for the many intercessions and graces received through Mary.

Gilbert smiles thinking of the other two members of three-man team he used to work with — maintenance coordinator Hubert Castillo and the late Albert Alina. They were called the “Three Musketeers.” They could have been called the three “Berts” after the same last four letters of their names.

We thank Gilbert for being a part of the church’s improvement and service team before, during and after Masses. All his beads of sweat for the church were offered from an appreciating heart in thanksgiving to God. We praise God for servants like Gilbert. We pray for him and his family’s health and continued faith, happiness and peace. Thanks be to God.