After a summer hiatus, we’re back with a super-sized “8 Questions for Father” — 13 Q & A’s! Msgr. Terrence “Father Terry” Alan Masaki Watanabe, 59, was born and raised in Wailuku, Maui, with one brother. He went to St. Stephen High School Seminary on Oahu followed by Chaminade University of Honolulu and St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif. Father Terry was ordained for the Diocese of Honolulu in Wailuku in 1977. In his years as a diocesan priest, Father Terry has served on Oahu at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Pearl City; St. John Vianney, Kailua; the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu; St. Philomena, Salt Lake; and Holy Family, Honolulu. He is currently the pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Kihei, Maui.

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Attending elementary school at Christ the King in Kahului. The school was only two blocks away from my home and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet made me feel at home and very welcome.

2. What would you be if you weren’t a priest?

As I was growing up, I thought of being a teacher, an architect, a social worker, a psychiatrist/psychologist, or a general manager of a hotel or a restaurant.

3. What is your favorite Bible passage?

I like the story of the Last Supper where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and asks them to do the same. I believe that we are all called to be foot washers and to serve the needs of others.

4. What is your favorite book/author?

I enjoy reading books by Donald Cozzens. He has great insights into the priesthood and its meaning in the church. I have gotten a lot out of his writings.

5. What are you reading now?

“Weeds Among the Wheat” by Thomas H. Green. So far I am enjoying what he has to say. His insights regarding discernment of God’s will are great.

6. Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy traveling, eating, which I do a lot of, golfing, which I need to do more of, meeting people and the Japanese tea ceremony.

7. What’s your hidden talent?

I don’t believe I have any “hidden” talents. I have used most of my talents through my life and ministry. I enjoy organizing things and people to get things done, coordinating people’s efforts to accomplish a task or a project.

8. Who in this world would you most like to meet?

I would like to meet Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu and to hear from them how their faith in the Lord gave them the courage and strength to do all that they did in transforming a people and its culture.

9. What’s your favorite movie?

I enjoyed the “Indiana Jones” series. It was very entertaining and adventuresome. I also liked the “Star Wars” series — a wonderful futuristic film series about the fight between good and evil in our world.

10. What or who makes you laugh?

Even though he has done so for years, Frank De Lima still makes me laugh. His local humor is still delightful.

11. What’s your favorite TV show?

I enjoy “Glee.” It is alive, the music is wonderful and it deals with important issues and values and sometimes the conflicts that we get into in trying to work things out and make the right decisions, to make things “pono.” I also enjoy “Two and Half Men.” I think that the writers are very clever.

12. Who do you consider to be a hero in your life?

Bishop Joseph Ferrario. He helped me to understand priesthood and the church in a deeper way. He helped me to love the Lord, his people and his church. He was a wonderful coach and mentor for me and for my vocation as a priest here in Hawaii.

13. What’s the church’s biggest challenge today?

Continuing to be relevant to people today, especially the young. Being able to answer their questions about life issues and to help them to come to know the Lord deep in their hearts.