In the Pauline Book and Media Center Aug. 21, from left, Daughters of St. Paul Sister Maria Joseph Petrill, Sister Paulamarie Splaine and Sister Joane Gepitulan.
(HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
On Sept. 23, 1974, the Daughters of St. Paul arrived in Hawaii to establish a local community of our congregation and to begin carrying out our mission of evangelization in Hawaii and the central Pacific. We had been invited by then Bishop of Honolulu John J. Scanlan. Our new community was assembled and sent from our provincial house in Boston.
Sister Fay Josephine Pele, superior of the Daughters of St. Paul in Hawaii
Our first Honolulu book center was in the diocesan chancery building on Bishop Street. In 1978, we moved across the street to our present building at 1143 Bishop Street. By 1990, the Pauline Book and Media Center, and our convent home upstairs, was arranged as it is today.
Bishop Joseph A. Ferrario blessed our Queen of the Isles chapel on March 6, 1988.
Our sisters lost no time going to the ends of our Island state to visit and bring the Word of God and books on the faith to families. By 1993, we had also made at least 20 trips across the expanses of the Pacific: to Guam, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Chuuk, Yap, Pohnpei, Nauru, Saipan, New Zealand and more.
Through it all, our sisters have faithfully visited the parishes on Oahu, to present our mission and to offer our latest publications to their families.
As much as we are able, we continue the evangelization activities that have defined us for the past 40 years. Increased airfare and prohibitive shipping costs have made our visits to the Island countries of the Pacific less frequent. But here in our Island state, we go at least once a year to Kauai, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island — and love every minute of it.
Beautiful Hawaii has given the Daughters of St. Paul a great aloha since the day we arrived on its shores. Almost immediately, young women expressed interest in joining us in our life and mission. So far, Hawaii is represented by the following local vocations:
- Sister Mary Damien Vieira, from Kaneohe, our first local member
- Sister Madonna Janet Kuhlman, from Kailua
- Sister Margaret Timothy Sato, from Salt Lake
- Sister Lily Remedias Duhaylonsod, from Ewa Beach
- Sister Joan Paula Arruda, from Kailua
- Sister Lusia Yvonne Ielonimo, from Samoa; entered from Hawaii
- Sister Noel Macabulos, from Pearl City
- Sister Fay Josephine Pele, from Samoa; entered from Hawaii
- Sister Joane Caritas Gepitulan, from Waipahu
- Sister An Mei Marie Lam, from Kalihi
We hope and pray that many more will come and share our labor, prayer and joy. Our present community here in Honolulu consists of four sisters:
- Sister Fay Josephine Pele, our local superior
- Sister Paulamarie Splaine
- Sister Maria Joseph Petrill
- Sister Joane Gepitulan, manager of our Book and Media Center
The Pauline Cooperators, a group of laity associated with our Pauline Family through shared spirituality and apostolic support, are our “strong arm” of support here in Hawaii, ready not only to pray with us and for our apostolic initiatives, but also to learn what makes us who we are, and to stand by us as we bring the publications through which we spread the Good News to those waiting for the message of hope and comfort that the Gospel brings.
During the past two years, with the help of many of our faithful benefactors, we have prepared a gathering place on the second floor, above our book center, to welcome the faithful for monthly “movie nights.” Our aim is to promote a Catholic reading for the offerings of the entertainment industry, and to help develop a critical sense when viewing films today. The “upper room” is also reserved for prayer evenings with the Daughters and for various faith groups who need a quiet place to meet.
Our mission here has been, and continues to be, a wonderful part of the history of the Daughters of St. Paul in the United States, as the only presence of our Pauline Family in Hawaii and the central Pacific island nations. All of the Daughters who have been stationed here look back with tremendous gratitude and great affection for the good people of Hawaii, whom they so willingly served, and have the joy of serving today, with the Word of Life.
Come celebrate our anniversary with us at a Mass at 6 p.m., Sept. 23, at our place on 1143 Bishop Street. After, we can share food, memories, and joy! Please call us to let us know you will attend: 521-2731.
