Bishop Larry Silva, left, helps the Carmelite Sisters, newly arrived from the Philippines, with their luggage at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Nov. 26. From left, Sister Mary Francis Apordo, Sister Mary Bernard Tescam, who helped recruit the sisters but is not joining the Hawaii community, Sister Assumpta John Theresa Macapanas and Sister Mary Angelica Guevarra. At right is Carmelite Father Danilo Lim, the religious assistant of the Association of Monasteries of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines, who traveled with them. The new sisters will help in the refounding of the Hawaii monastery. Two more are expected early next year.
(HCH photo | Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP)
Dear Friends of the Carmelite Sisters,
Peace be with you!
On Saturday, January 12, 2019, a special fundraising luncheon will be held in the parish hall of the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 712 N. School Street, Honolulu. Its purpose is to raise funds to support the re-founded Carmelite Convent in Kaneohe, and especially to help with the expenses of the five new Sisters who are joining from the Philippines. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will include a lunch and silent auction. I will be present to lend my support and to give a short presentation on the importance of the presence of the Carmelite Sisters in our diocese.
As many of you know, the Carmelite Sisters came to Hawaii about 40 years ago from Hong Kong. Over the years, their numbers have diminished, and there was the real possibility of having to close the convent. With the prayers of many and the generosity of the Carmelite Federation in the Philippines, five professed Sisters have been recruited to make the Hawaii Carmel of the Holy Trinity their permanent home so that the convent can be “re-founded” with a full contingent of Sisters. These dedicated nuns have given their lives to live in a cloistered convent so that they can pray for the needs of our diocese and the world. Although our very utilitarian culture may not consider their work very productive, we people of faith know what a powerhouse they are in support of all the public ministries of the Church and all the members of the Body of Christ through their humble dedication to prayer.
The expenses involved in providing food, medical insurance, spiritual books, and other necessities for our dear Sisters — in addition to the transitional expenses of airfares from the Philippines and legal work to obtain their visas — can be daunting, so they depend upon the good stewardship of the people of our diocese to assist them in their ministry. We hope you will be able to join us for this joyful event and to lend your material support to the Sisters who so lovingly support us spiritually.
If you would like to make a direct contribution to the Sisters, please send donations to: Carmelite Monastery, 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744-5224. Make checks payable to: Carmelite Monastery.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
Growing God’s Garden Carmel in Hawaii
A fundraiser supporting the re-founding
of the Carmelite Monastery in Kaneohe with five new sisters from the Philippines
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jan. 12, 2019
Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa Hall
712 N. School Street, Honolulu
Lunch, entertainment, prizes, silent auction, plants for sale,
video presentation: “Growing God’s Garden: Carmel of Hawaii”
$100 donation
For tickets, contact Paula Manz, 585-3322, pmanz@rcchawaii.org