PAPAIKOU
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
To promote vocation awareness, Deacon LeRoy Andrews coordinated a Dinner of Discerners on Aug. 20 in our parish hall with Bishop Larry Silva and diocesan vocation director Father Peter Dumag. The parish’s Men’s Ministry hosted the dinner. Twenty one people attended, about 14 young men from the East Hawaii Vicariate. The evening started with prayer in the church, followed by dinner and a talking session. During the session, the bishop and priests answered questions posed by the young men and spoke about their own calling to the priesthood. We pray that this event and others that follow will be fruitful with more vocations to the priesthood. (Reported by Pat Phillips)
PAHOA
Sacred Heart Parish
Parishioners gathered with Bishop Larry Silva, Father Marc Alexander and Gary Hawkins of Community Counseling Services to enjoy a wonderful banquet and hear a presentation on the capital campaign of the Diocese of Honolulu. Our pastor Father Edgardo Bonghanoy graciously accepted the invitation to be one of the campaign’s pilot parishes to serve as examples for other parishes. It is the belief of our pastor that we will be successful in accomplishing this challenge. Father Bonghanoy encouraged parishioners to enthusiastically embrace the campaign to secure a financial foundation for our diocese and for our parishes well into the future. As he said, the “power of prayer” can move mountains. Even in these financially difficult times, we need to remember how much we have to be thankful for. We need to clear a path for our youth who are not just the church of tomorrow, but the church of today. So, brothers and sisters, let us join together in this campaign with open hearts. It is our responsibility to provide and ensure a stable foundation for our children and their children today. If we don’t, they will be lost in the church of tomorrow. (Reported by Steve Torres)
TOPSIDE
Molokai Catholic Community
August was a very busy month. … The Youth and Young Adult group’s monthly Mass, with Father Mark Alexander and Deacon Mike Shizuma presiding, featured music with some ingenuous instruments played by Kanoho and Matt Helm, Ted Galam, Jason Piros and vocalist Julie-Ann Bicoy. Dylan Guerrero and Kamalani Bicoy reported on World Youth Day in Australia. Lectors and petitioners were Louigi Ponce and Jason Piros. … On Aug. 25, 40 parishioners gathered at St. Sophia Church to listen to Father Alexander’s report on the Diocesan Road Map for our Mission! … Since arriving on July 9, the four Sacred Hearts Sisters and one Brother have settled in their new homes. Conferring with Father Clyde Guerreiro and parishioners, they have begun an outreach mission to St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Maunaloa and are helping the elementary religious education program at St. Sophia. They also got a car, a necessity on Molokai. … The Lei of Aloha for Blessed Damien gala at the Koolau Golf Club on Oahu on Aug. 16, chaired by Maria Sullivan, Rose Brito and Ilona Honig, was a huge success. Close to 20 Molokai parishioners served as hosts and entertainers for 440 guests. The gourmet meal was accompanied by top entertainment by Henry Tancayo, Robert Mondoy and Pearl Souza. Joan Lasua sang and Ilona Honig danced; Larry Helm and Honig emceed. The Damien relic display, the silent auction and door prizes were sources of lively interest. (Reported by Jersula Manaba and Cecily Kikukawa)
LANAI CITY
Sacred Hearts Parish
Our parish is part of the capital and endowment campaign and because of this, we will be conducting our individual campaign from August through November of this year. Bishop Larry Silva was here on Lanai and met with members of the parish and briefed us on the campaign needs and the timetable. Vicar general Father Marc Alexander along with Gary Hawkins, the vice president and campaign executive director, accompanied him and took turns to explain the Community Counseling Service (CSS fundraising) Pictured is our administrator Father Ferdinand Ragasa with Bishop Silva, Hawkins and Father Marc. (Reported by Eleanor Ozoa)
KIHEI
St. Theresa Parish
The Tongan Community has been active at our parish for more than 17 years. They never miss an opportunity to participate and help at every parish event. They provide the music in both Tongan and English at the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday. Many of their songs are performed a cappella to the delight of the visitors in Kihei. They rarely need a microphone. On July 4, the Tongans installed their new officers for the year. Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona, chaplain for the Tongans in Hawaii and pastor at St. Augustine in Waikiki, celebrated the Mass and performed the installation ceremony. After Mass, a party in the hall celebrated the community’s 17th anniversary and its new officers. Every delicious traditional Tongan dish was represented and dinner was followed by lots of singing and dancing. This energetic and generous group is truly a gift to the parish. (Reported by Anita Carrington, photo by Leroy Carrington)
HONOLULU
Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
The Cathedral Kamiano Center was blessed on the 165th anniversary of our church, Aug. 16. Bishop Larry Silva presided at the 7 a.m. liturgy and the community continued after Mass to bless the parish hall and share in hospitality. The center was the site for celebration on Sunday after the noon liturgy with box lunches served to 350 parishioners who also enjoyed music, prizes and games. (Reported by Ann Hannan)
NUUANU
St. Stephen Parish
The sacrament of Confirmation was conferred upon six of our young people on May 3l. They spent two long years (or more) preparing to someday become pillars of our faith community. Congratulations to our confirmandi (Confirmation names in parentheses): Roland Albarado (Juan Diego), Margot Chock (Margaret of Scotland), Claire Hann (Catherine), Marissa Kozuma (Dymphna), Brandon Nakano (Michael), and Elroy Tui (Michael). We thank vicar general Father Marc Alexander for celebrating with us and conferring the sacrament. Mahalo nui loa to catechists Mike Ralston and Nellani Tabada from InHim Ministries, our religious education coordinators Velma Guieb-Mamuad (St. Stephen) and Leimomi Kondo (Blessed Sacrament). Mahalo to all their sponsors, parents, families and friends for their prayers and support! (Reported by Ginny Jordan)
KULIOUOU
Holy Trinity Parish
Under the leadership of Tom Fake, parishioners have been busy cleaning and painting the interior of the makai house in preparation for the arrival of our guests during the week of Sept. 7 in the Family Promise Program. (From the parish bulletin)
ALA MOANA
Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
The parish will have a 9/11 memorial Taize prayer service, 7 p.m., Sept. 7, immediately after the 6 p.m. Mass. The one-hour program will be an opportunity to reflect and pray for all those touched by the 9/11 tragedies seven years ago. In a darkened candle-lit church, we will sing meditative songs, hear comforting Scripture and pray at the cross. All are invited. Bring a flashlight if you need to read the lyrics, but the songs are simple, repetitive and easy to learn. (From the parish bulletin)
AIEA
St. Elizabeth Parish
“All Hearts Are Young” at the Benedictine Monastery in Waialua! Our senior citizen’s group, The Young at Heart, recently spent a day there. Sister C.C. (Celeste Cabral) coordinated the visit and gave the group a guided tour. The celebration of Mass and a healing blessing in the beautiful chapel overlooking the North Shore were the highlights of the day. Sister C.C. also shared a video of her recent visit to Australia with the youth from St. Michael Parish. A scrumptious potluck lunch and fellowship was shared with the Benedictine community. A truly spirit-filled day in the peaceful country setting was enjoyed by all. (Report and photo by George Souza)
PEARL CITY
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
Father Carmelo “Rey” Lim left his family, friends and fellow priests in the Philippines to answer God’s call to minister to the people in Hawaii. He knew only one “Hawaiian,” Father Manny Hewe of Mililani. But when he arrived at the Honolulu Airport he was greeted by pastor Father Pascual Abaya, whom, at first, he mistook to be a chauffeur. They immediately bonded and Father Rey is now the official parochial vicar of our parish. The parishioners welcomed Father Rey with a parish breakfast and helped him celebrate his 42nd birthday on Aug. 4 and his 13th anniversary as a priest, which was on July 4. Among other hobbies, Father Rey enjoys singing, preaching, cooking Italian dishes, working on the computer and making home visits. Needless to say, he hardly has time to miss his compadres in the Philippines. (Reported by Elaine Yamashita)
EWA BEACH
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you…” (Mat: 28:19-20). With this passage from the Gospel of Matthew, several parishioners have been gathering monthly to form the parish’s evangelization team. Pictured here at the August meeting are (seated, from left) Benie Guzman, Lily Lambinicio, Sandi Javar and Lucy Farinas. (Second row, from left) Flor Torres, Oding Agoto, Tess Texeira, Juanita Colon and Leo Lambinicio. (Third row, from left) Romy Mindo, Eleanor Ragojo, Susan Duffy, Mel Amion, Dora Duhaylonsod, Darryl Saronitman and Pete Cueva. The team’s immediate tasks are to study the goals and objectives of “Go and Make Disciples,” a publication of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, evaluate proposed strategies, determine which strategies were/are being applied and how to improve current strategies, and plan for future actions. The team meets on the second Wednesday of the month. To galvanize the team’s efforts, five members will participate in “Proclaiming Christ 2008,” a national online conference on evangelization. (Reported by Julia Torres)
KAPOLEI
St. Jude Parish
The senior women from the parish’s Bereavement, Widows, and Quilt Club ministries come together to play a social card game called canasta. This activity is the second part of the women’s low impact exercise program. The object of the game, named after the Spanish word for “basket,” is to create melds of cards of the same rank and then go out by playing or discarding all the cards in your hands. Senior citizens can play without hearing, they can chat while playing without missing a beat, the cards have large numbers, and only the scorekeeper needs to count. Canasta encourages hand dexterity, mental facility and social interaction. Counting, sorting and matching keeps minds active. They cannot fall asleep, players get to mix and match, and they don’t have to shuffle the cards since the game requires a holding tray and a card shuffler. (Reported by Genara Buza-Campos)
WAIALUA
St. Michael Parish
The parish is selling World Youth Day “We Believe” T-shirts for $10 and sweatshirts for $25 in red, white and blue. Supplies are limited. Call the parish office at 637-4040. (From the parish bulletin)
HILO
St. Joseph Pre-School
Our pre-school director Marie Roberts turned a parent’s donation of avocados into a last minute lesson on how the fruit grew. The lesson, involving the 3-5 year-old group, was followed by a sampling of the avocado by each student. Pictured, one child contemplates his sample while another anxiously awaits hers! (Reported by Rowena Austria)
HILO
St. Joseph Elementary School
Second graders present Bishop Larry Silva with origami cranes they made themselves. Students were treated to a visit from the bishop on Aug. 20. He visited and spoke with all classes from pre-school through grade 12. They were all very thrilled and honored to meet him! (Reported by Rowena Austria)
HILO
St. Joseph Jr./Sr. High School
Ten teams entered the recent 9th Annual St. Joseph High Girls Volleyball Classic at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, including from Oahu St. Andrews Priory and Waipahu High School. Our Cardinal girls placed 5th in the Gold Division. Pictured blocking an attempted score from Waipahu are Marym Palma #17, Serena Wright #12 and Sage Van Kralingen #15. (Reported by Rowena Austria)
MAKAWAO
St. Joseph School
On Aug. 18, our school and parish hosted the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit for Maui Catholic schools to pray for gifts of the Holy Spirit for the 2008-2009 academic school year. After Mass, everyone gathered on the school grounds for refreshments and a grade-to-grade sharing session to collaborate on curriculum topics and network on interests. A big thank you goes out to principal Beth Wills, faculty, staff of St. Joseph and all participants for a wonderful gathering to start the year off in fellowship and praise. (Reported by Helen Souza)
KAHULUI
Christ the King School
Mrs. Quinabo’s science class comes alive (literally) for the students as they view an African Spurred Tortoise. The tortoise spent two days at school as part of the reptile science lesson. This nine-year-old tortoise, now weighing in at 50 pounds, will grow to 100-150 pounds during his lifespan of 80-100 years. (Reported by Leanne Rivera)
KAPAA
St. Catherine School
Our staff began the school year with Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated with St. Theresa School of Kekaha staff on Aug. 14. We then held a staff retreat with Sharon Chiarucchi and Maxine Pollock on Aug. 22. (Reported by Celina Haigh)
KEKAHA
St. Theresa School
We welcomed back 162 students, staff and faculty to another year of education and growth. New are Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Sister Elena Gonzales, third grade teacher, and Sister Carol Ann Gambsky, music teacher, and Dawn Ragocos who is teaching Pre-K2. For the first time in the school’s history, we have two Pre-K classes! … Returning educators are Pre-K1, Sharan Souza (20th year); kindergarten, Kirsten Kaahaaina; grade 1, Archie Achuara (2nd year); grade 2, Sister Hanna Johnecheck (2nd year); grade 4, Sister Mary Ann Feminella (8th year); grade 5, Wendy Castillo (6th year); grade 6, Anne Maxeiner (14th year); grade 7, Nacia Blom (2nd year); Grade 8, Walter Souza (6th year), and in her third year as principal and loving it, Mary Jean Buza-Sims. … The ever-loving Sister Marie Bernadette Dorn (convent homemaker) also returned to bless our parish with her friendship and homebound ministry. … To further enhance the returning experience, the Parent Association held a welcome back movie night, Aug. 22, featuring chili bowls, hot dogs, nachos, candy, popcorn and drinks for purchase while Kung Fu Panda played under the stars. Pictured that evening, from left, are Sister Carol Ann, Sister Elena, Sister Mary Ann and Sister Hannah waiting in line for some onolicious food. (Reported by Chantal A. Duarte)
HONOLULU
Cathedral Catholic Academy
Our school welcomes Sensei Ai as our new Japanese language teacher. This is her first year of teaching. Here she teaches the kindergarten class about the Japanese alphabet. We are excited to have her on board. (Reported by Magdalena Collins)
HONOLULU
Holy Family Catholic Academy
Learning continued during the summer break as 81 students participated in our summer reading program. Students were required to read a designated number of books and turn in a report/project for each book. The students were thrilled to receive recognition from their peers and prizes from local businesses. Thanks to Judy Crooks of Subway, McDonald’s and EK Fernandez Fun Factory for their generous donations. And congratulations to our hard-working students! (Reported by Jocelyn Fernandes)
HONOLULU
St. Patrick School
Our school celebrated the latest addition to its Early Childhood Program on July 30 with a much-anticipated welcome to our littlest people on campus — the junior-kindergarten class. Dressed in their hunter green polo shirts and khaki shorts, our 4-year-olds began the new school year with very few tears and little anxiety and a whole lot of questions and adventures of the summer. During the first couple of weeks of school, the “Super Stars” reviewed red, blue and green and made bright, colorful patterns. Their teacher, Miss Viv Chun, read the book, “Here Are My Hands!” The children painted life-sized paper dolls and explained what their hands, feet; mouth, eyes, ears and nose are for. Katie Stone, Chloe Kwok and Shawn Fejeder share some of their thoughts on the matter: “Here are my hands for looking. Here is my nose for smelling flowers and for blowing! Here is my mouth for eating foods and for talking. Here are my hands to hang on the monkey bars and to play with toys. Here are my feet for running and jumping”. Great job, super stars! (Reported by office staff)
HONOLULU
Sacred Hearts Academy
The Sacred Hearts Academy Band has been invited to participate in the prestigious London 2009 New Year’s Day Parade. The event, the largest New Year’s Day parade in the world, is viewed by more than half-a-million people along the parade route and seen live by more than 200 million people worldwide via more than 550 TV stations. As one of only a dozen marching bands from the United States selected for this honor, the Academy’s Concert Band has also been asked to perform in one of many historical concert hall venues. Band director Matthew Martin flew to London over the summer to formally accept the invitation and complete a site inspection and parade overview with event officials. The 150 band members, color guard and dancers will engage in countless hours of practice and rehearsals to prepare for their journey to the other side of the world, where they will represent not only their school, but also the State of Hawaii and the United States of America. (Reported by Hayley Matson-Mathes)
EWA BEACH
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Our eighth graders are discovering there is a lot to learn from their little brothers and sisters in kindergarten. The cross-age buddy program pairs each kindergarten student with an eighth grade student, providing a natural way for children, across grades, to bond within a school. Throughout the year, these two classes will play together, learn together and pray together. The eighth graders, who once may have seemed intimidating to the kindergarteners, are now their special friends and role models. Likewise, the kindergartners, who have started their journey as life-long learners, will help the eighth graders embrace yet another opportunity to experience God’s Love. (Reported by Jorge A. Ochoa)
HONOLULU
Maryknoll High School
Members of the school’s 2008 Majuro Mission Team prep for painting during the school’s annual pilgrimage to the Marshall Islands. Since 1991, students have spent their summers performing community service, and teaching math and language arts at a local high school. On the 2008 team were Kelsie Calabrese, Trason Castillo, Thadd Chang, Amy Fisk, Janelle Ho, Jenna Kim, Colin Smiley, Eric Weinhardt, and chaperones Stephanie Conching and Joe Miller. Through the program, Maryknoll offers students an opportunity to engage in social responsibility, share a cultural experience, and develop leadership skills. (Reported by Stephen Florino)
WAIALUA
St. Michael School
On Aug. 23, our teachers and aides, as well as those from other Hawaii Catholic schools, participated in the FISH workshop at the Ihilani Resort and Spa. FISH is a philosophy that encourages educators to celebrate teaching and engage the students so lessons will be remembered through four simple practices, as demonstrated in the workshop by Steve Mintz. Our teachers, aides and principal Deanna Arecchi said that it was a fun, eye-opening experience. Pictured is teacher of 54 years, Sister of St. Francis Grace Michael Souza giving advice to Melani Erice, teacher of one week, as well as the other teachers and aides in attendance. (Reported by Jennifer Holmberg)
MANOA
St. Francis School
In keeping with the legacy of Blessed Marianne Cope, the ladies of the school’s varsity volleyball team volunteered to serve the hungry at the Institute for Human Services women and children’s shelter. Pictured here are Jadie Karratti-Abordo, Mahina Galletes, Sadie Karratti-Abordo, Ihilani Ching, Kathryn Yoshimura, Ashley Silva and Justine Silva. (Reported by Karen Curry)
HONOLULU
Maryknoll Grade School
Our first graders, from left, Anthony Noh, Matthew Batacan, Sage Suzuki and Bryson Ho show their support for workers building the school’s new community center during the morning flag assembly on the first day of school, Aug. 21. With the construction literally right behind their classroom, Mrs. Lynne Watanabe’s class has adopted “Kids at Work” as a theme this school year. The community center is scheduled to be completed in April 2009. (Reported by Stephen Florino)