Here are some of the more recent arrivals of religious and clergy to Hawaii’s shores.
Marianist Brother Mark Motz
Campus minister, Chaminade
Brother Motz is from West Chester, Ohio. He has an older brother and a younger sister. He graduated from the University of Dayton in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies. In May 2013, he professed his first vows with the Society of Mary, or Marianists, in Dayton, Ohio. Brother Motz joins the Hale Malia Marianist community in Honolulu. He enjoys kayaking, backpacking and camping. In looking to the future, he quotes Frederick Buechner: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Father Oliver Joaquin Ortega
Parochial vicar, St. Elizabeth Parish, Aiea
Father Ortega was born in Manila, the third of four children. He has been ordained 10 years, originally from the Diocese of Malolos, Philippines, where he was a seminary professor. For the past several years he has worked in parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Calif. For recreation, he enjoys basketball and volleyball, as well as seeing a good movie. He looks forward to slowing down from the fast pace of North Hollywood and growing more in his relationship with God through serving in Hawaii.
Franciscan Sister Samuel Marie Settar
Volunteer, St. Elizabeth Convent, Kalaupapa
Sister Samuel Marie is from New Jersey. She has a brother and a sister. She has been a teacher in elementary schools in Puerto Rico, Lahaina and Syracuse, N.Y. She was at Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina from 1978 to 1981. Her last 26 years of ministry were spent in California. Sister Samuel Marie is 43 years professed. For leisure, she likes to read, take long walks and travel. She looks forward to retreat, reflection and a great adventure with the Lord and the people of Kalaupapa in the place where St. Marianne Cope and St. Damien de Veuster ministered.
Sister Meristella Umdor, Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians
Parish ministry, St. Elizabeth, Aiea
Sister Stella is the youngest of seven children. She comes to Hawaii from Northeast India where she served as the animator of her religious community and as the headmistress of various high schools in remote village areas. She regularly visited their families at their homes covering the rural paths by foot, car, bus or truck. She enjoys preaching, working with people and singing. She looks forward to helping the people of St. Elizabeth Church, where she will provide religious education, work as a sacristan and minister to the homebound.
Maryknoll Sister Shu Chen Wu
Volunteer, Maryknoll Sisters, Kailua
Sister Shu Chen is from Taichung, Taiwan, the oldest of two brothers and a sister. She comes to Hawaii from Chicago where she ministered in religious formation. Before that, Sister Shu Chen was missioned in Bolivia where she was the Director of Cultural Orientation at the Maryknoll Language School in Cochabamba. She has also served as a social worker and has assisted at a leprosarium in Taipei. She enjoys gardening and looks forward to learning the culture of Hawaii as a step toward working in the field of empowering women.