The Knights of Columbus Council 12045 of Ewa Beach honored a religious sister and a Filipino family at its inaugural awards banquet at the Ala Moana Hotel Aug. 22.
Sister Davilyn Ah Chick, a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, was named “Outstanding Catholic Religious Person of the Year.”
Congratulated as “Family of the Year” was Billy and Cely Villareal and family.
Sister Davilyn is the principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ewa Beach. Born in Hawaii, one of seven children of the late John and Dorothy Amy Ah Chick, she has been a Franciscan Sister for more than 40 years. She has held multiple leadership positions with the Diocese of Honolulu and the St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii, and has been principal of at least four schools.
Sister Davilyn for many years was instrumental in the canonization cause of St. Marianne Cope of Molokai and continues today to promote devotion to her fellow Franciscan Sister.
Billy and Cely Villareal were touted as beacons of family and stewardship, and as leaders and role models for the Filipino community and the larger Ewa Beach area. Billy spent nearly 30 years in the U.S. Navy during which time Cely mentored younger Navy wives. He is now an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
Billy has been president of the United Pangasinan of Hawaii since 2006, breathing life and energy into the organization. According to the banquet program, the Villareals “open their home monthly to others providing Filipino elders a place to gather and talk story.”
The family is also described as one of the “spiritual lights” of Ewa Beach, giving to others while expecting nothing in return.
At the awards banquet, Salvador Maza spoke of the Villareals’ accomplishments and Grand Knight Stanley Maria highlighted Sister Davilyn’s contributions.
Each honoree received the United States flag, commendations from the Hawaii State Legislature and the Honolulu City Council, and other awards. More than 200 people attended the sell-out event.
These awards are timely as Pope Francis and the universal church celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life, the World Meeting of Families, and the Synod on the Family.
The primary beneficiary of the banquet was Our Lady of Perpetual Help School which received $5,000 Sept. 20 at the Knights of Columbus 9 a.m. Sunday Mass.
The Knights of Columbus continue to volunteer for the school through their services and expertise as businessmen, contractors, engineers, carpenters and public servants.
