HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz
Celebrating 70 years, Sister M. Olivia Gibson of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities is greeted by well-wishers after the Mass.
Twenty-nine men and women marking anniversaries of their religious lives as priests, sisters and brothers were honored at the annual diocesan jubilee celebration for clergy and religious April 6 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
Bishop Larry Silva presided at the mid-morning Mass attended by a churchful of family, friends and well-wishers. Eighteen priests concelebrated, including four who themselves were celebrating anniversaries.
Twenty of the jubilarians were sisters representing seven religious communities, eight were priests and one was a Christian Brother. Two were celebrating 70 years, eight were celebrating 60 years, 12 were celebrating 50 years, and seven were marking 25 years. The religious and four of the priests observed anniversaries of religious vows. Four other priests marked ordination anniversaries.
Eleven of those honored were not present. Those who were there were laden with leis — graduation style.
The joyful liturgy for the Saturday after Easter was filled with Latin, Gregorian chant and alleluias. Four deacons assisted.
“We are here to honor women and men who have given witness to the risen Jesus,” Bishop Silva said in his homily.
“They have encountered him and have led others to encounter him as well,” he said.
Bishop Larry Silva congratulates Sacred Hearts Father Thomas Choo.
Though they may have “suffered many hardships, misunderstandings,” Bishop Silva said, “they continue giving faithful witness to Jesus.”
“We learn from these jubilarians that all the burdens of ministry are light,” he said.
The congregation applauded each honoree at the close of Mass when each came forward to accept a gift from Bishop Silva. Benedictine Sister Mary Jo McEnany drew additional cheers from members of the Basic Christian Community of Hawaii.
A group of 10 came all the way from the Big Island to celebrate with Sister Marykutty Kottuppallil, a Missionary Sister of Mary Help of Christians who served at St. Joseph Parish in Hilo for several years.
All received a standing ovation at the end.
After Mass, everyone headed over to the parish hall to enjoy a lunch of chicken salad, pork adobo, mochiko chicken and brown rice.
Here are the jubilarian honorees:
70 years
- Brother Francis Matthew Popish, CFC, profession
- Sister M. Olivia Gibson, OSF, profession
60 years
- Sister Mary Jo McEnany, OSB, profession
- Sister Herman Julia Aki, SS.CC., profession
- Sister Anne-Marie Tamanaha, SS.CC., profession
- Sister Margaret Antone Milho, OSF, profession
- Sister Rose Loraine Matsuzaki, OSF, profession
- Sister Ann Faber Chang, CSJ, profession
- Sister Rose Damien Malabon, CSJ, profession
- Sister Giovanna Marie Marcoccia, CSJ, profession
50 years
- Father Allen DeLong, SM, profession
- Father Thomas Choo, SS.CC., profession
- Father Patrick Killilea, SS.CC., profession
- Father Albert Garcia, SS.CC., profession
- Sister M. Mark Berdin, OP, profession
- Sister Janet Rose, OSF, profession
- Sister Paulette Yeung, MM, profession
- Sister Joseph Mary Cefra, SS.CC., profession
- Sister Dolores Marie Pavao, SS.CC., profession
- Sister Joan Rita Cosme, SS.CC., profession
- Sister William Marie Eleniki, OSF, profession
- Sister Norise Kaiser, OSF, profession
25 years
- Father Augustine Uthuppu, MS, ordination
- Father Joseph Pathiyil, MF, ordination
- Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, MF, ordination
- Father Adviento Reclusado, ordination
- Sister M. Cecilia Fabular, OP, profession
- Sister Birina Kirway, MM, profession
