“God, our Father, guide of humanity and ruler of creation, look upon these your servants, who wish to confirm their offering of themselves to you. As the years pass by, help them to enter more deeply into the mystery of the church and to dedicate themselves more generously to the good of humanity.”
Prayer of the renewal of vows from the Mass of Religious Profession
Celebrating Lives of Discipleship
The Catholic Church in Hawaii honors those men and women who have given themselves to God and humanity, in vow and in sacrament, as they celebrate the anniversaries of their discipleship. Please join Bishop Larry Silva and Hawaii’s jubilarians in a Mass of gratitude, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 16, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
60 years of religious profession
Brother Frank Damm, SM
Birthdate: March 30, 1936
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Religious order: Society of Mary (Marianists)
Jubilee year: 60
Service in Hawaii: since 1997
Past ministries: High school teaching, University teaching, Regional Superior (Eastern Africa), University administration
Present ministry: 75 percent retired, 25 percent administration work at Chaminade University of Honolulu
Reflection: Growing up in Detroit, I wanted to be a farmer and my mother thought that I wanted to be a teacher. The Marianists had an ad in the back of the Sacred Heart Messenger magazine. Since they had both farmers and teachers it solved the immediate problem and I went off to the novitiate at Marcy, New York. As it turned out the novice master decided my mother was right.
My first assignment was in Cleveland. The science club at Cathedral Latin High School and the aviation club at St. Joseph High School gave me my first chance to work with students individually outside the classroom.
The graduate school years at Ohio State University were good. It was the 1960s. It was a good time to be out of a regular religious community. It was hard to recognize religious life on my visits to one of our communities.
The 20 years in Africa was the most enriching time of my life. Working in a different culture with a remarkable group of Marianists, including our present provincial, was a wonderful experience.
I was on my way back from Africa to Dayton, Ohio, when I got involved at Chaminade University. The school was in poor shape when Sue Wesselkamper became president. It was truly exciting to be part of its rebirth.
60 years of religious profession
Sister Roselani Enomoto, CSJ
Birthdate: September 25, 1937
Birthplace: Wailuku, Maui
Religious order: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Jubilee year: 60
Service in Hawaii: 37 years
Past ministries: In Southern California and Japan: eight years, elementary schools; 12 years, secondary schools. In Hawaii: nine years, secondary school; 17 years, Diocesan Office for Social Ministry; three years, congregational administration; retired from full-time ministry in 2010
Present ministry: Volunteer with Kupuna Kokua Ministry, Office for Social Ministry; on-call “prayer person” for Hospice Maui; prayer and witness in the community-at-large on Maui no ka oi.
Reflection: I was born and raised on Maui, the oldest girl in a family of 11. After graduation from St. Anthony High School, I entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in the Los Angeles Province. I received the habit after two-and-a-half years of formation, pronouncing my first religious profession of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. My final profession occurred in 1963 and I am happy to be celebrating these 60 years of God’s faithfulness to me and my response to God. The joys, challenges and grace of ministering in the Lord’s vineyard have been countless and I am more grateful than ever for God’s constant goodness!
I invite women who are seeking to do God’s will to pray for openness to his call to become a vowed religious in the congregation to which God calls them. My daily prayer is for an increase of vocations to consecrated religious life, the priesthood and the diaconate in our diocese. Aloha Ke Akua!
60 years of religious profession
Sister Charlene Epil, OSF
Birthdate: June 24, 1937
Birthplace: Koolaupoko, Waimanalo, Oahu
Religious order: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Jubilee year: 60 (of investiture in the community)
Service in Hawaii: Returned from New Jersey in 1964, served here until present
Past ministries: Teacher at Our Lady of Angels School, Albany, N.Y.; St. Joseph School, Utica, N.Y.; St. John the Baptist School, New Brunswick, N.J.; Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Pearl City; St. Joseph Elementary, Hilo; and librarian and a part-time teacher at St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School, Hilo
Reflection: Born to Magdalino and Saturnina Epil, I attended Waimanalo Elementary School and graduated from St. Francis Convent School. I was active in St. George Parish as president of the Girls’ Sodality and a member of the CYO basketball, volleyball and softball teams. My parents’ strong Catholic faith, the Franciscan Sisters, our Sacred Hearts and Maryknoll parish priests and the parishioners influenced my decision to enter the novitiate at St. Anthony Convent, Syracuse, New York, in 1955.
From 1958 to 1985, on the Mainland and in Hawaii, I taught grades one through three and grades five through eight. Then I was transferred to St. Joseph High School where I was the librarian and a part-time teacher. Throughout the years I enjoyed the students, especially the juniors and seniors with all their activities. I was involved in St. Joseph Parish as a lector, greeter, eucharistic and hospital minister, and liturgy committee member.
These 60 years as a Franciscan have been fulfilling. Community living, including our prayer life and my present ministry as convent environmental beautification specialist (yard raker and plant waterer), provide me with time and solitude for prayer and meditation.
I am grateful to my parents, priests and religious and all lay people who have journeyed with and supported me. Their kindnesses, generosity and prayers have allowed me to experience God’s presence in my life.
60 years of religious profession
Sister Donna Marie Evans, OSF
Birthdate: November 15, 1936
Birthplace: Honolulu
Religious order: Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Jubilee year: 60
Past ministries: religious education for one year; elementary school teacher, 10 years; secondary education science teacher in Hawaii and New York, 11 years total; pastoral ministry for 10 years in Peru and 12 years on a Navajo reservation; six years of health education in Peru; three years as a tutor in Peru
Present ministry: Our Lady of Keaau, board member and volunteer in meal preparation and distribution for homeless persons and team members
Reflection: Honolulu is my birthplace. I was baptized at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. When I was 5, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, my father sent my sisters, Mom and me to live in California for the duration of the war. Mom got homesick so we returned to Honolulu in 1944.
I attended various grade schools, public and St. Anthony’s, and secondary at St. Francis, Manoa. Entering the Sisters of St. Francis in 1955, I was educated as a teacher and served in schools in New Jersey, New York and at St. Francis here in Hawaii. In 1979, after a summer of mission ministry preparation at Maryknoll, New York, and language studies, I was assigned to our community’s mission in Chancay, Peru. After two years there ministering in heath education, I was assigned to Pativilca, 200 miles north of Lima.
Poverty, terrorism and political upheaval during those years wrecked the human spirit, yet I saw the valiant and resourceful nature of the suffering people of God. I became a pastoral minister sent by our Bishop of Huacho to the Andes with young laity and sometimes other religious. These monthly pastoral visits were for a week or two with the help of Caritas and Adveniat.
Following 17 years in Peru, I ministered with the Navajo of New Mexico in the Diocese of Gallup for 12 years. I returned to Peru for two and a half years in Lima and helped with after-school programs at a poor pueblo. I’m presently at our Lady of Keaau in Waianae.
60 years of religious profession
Sister Marie Jose Romano, OSF
Birthdate: June 14, 1937
Birthplace: Honolulu
Religious order: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Jubilee year: 60
Service in Hawaii: Since returning home in 1969, 42 years
Past ministries: Educator in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, California, and Hawaii; director of religious education in Ohio and parishes on Oahu; office manager for St. Vincent de Paul Society in Hawaii; educator in the University of Hawaii System of Community Colleges
Present ministry: Teacher at Chaminade University of Honolulu; volunteer at St. Francis Healthcare Hospice; ministry volunteer at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
Reflection: Throughout my journey in life, I have found that what matters most is love. My daily prayer is asking God for an increase in love, and even though I fail, to pick me up again so that I may love him with my whole heart and soul, mind and strength, with all that I am. I ask God to fill me with his grace in encountering others, no matter who they may be, with love and compassion, care and respect, and reverence for the dignity of all human persons, knowing that Christ, my love, is in them. This is my greatest joy!
60 years of religious profession
Sister Isabel A. Rabbon, MM
Birthdate: June 17, 1933
Birthplace: Wailuku, Maui
Religious order: Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
Jubilee year: 60
Arrival in Hawaii: 1979, transferring from the Maryknoll Sisters Chile Region
Service in Hawaii: 37 years
Past ministries: Teacher at schools in New York City and Santiago, Chile; catechist in Talcahuano, Chile; vocation ministry for the Maryknoll Sisters in New York; pastoral associate at parishes on Molokai and Lanai; visits to the elderly at Wahiawa Hospital; Scripture class leader at Hawaii State Hospital, Kaneohe.
Present ministries: Serving at St. Anthony Parish, Kailua, in the Welcoming (returning) Catholics Home ministry; weekly “Women Walking with Jesus” Scripture group; washing and ironing sacred linens
Reflection: “Es usted miembro del Cuerpo de Paz?” (“Are you a member of the Peace Corps?”) inquired a man as we shopped in a store in Santiago, Chile, around 1968. “No,” I replied, “why do you ask?” Pointing to the ring on the fourth finger of my left hand, he said that to him, the encircled Chi Rho on the ring looked like an abbreviation of “pax,” the Latin word for peace. I explained that the “chi” (X) and the “rho” (P) are the first two letters in Greek for “Kristos,” Christ. It’s the oldest known Christian symbol of Christ since the second century. Then I introduced myself to him.
I received the ring right after making public vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, responding freely to the call to follow Jesus in mission as a Maryknoll Sister. With joy and gratitude to God for these past 60 years of my life, I continue to journey with my Maryknoll community, “making God’s love visible” wherever we may be.
60 years of religious profession
Sister Grace Michael Souza, OSF
Birthdate: Feb. 22, 1937
Birthplace: Eleele, Kauai
Religious order: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
Jubilee year: 60
Service in Hawaii: 1982 to the present
Past ministries: Primary grade teacher in Mattydale, N.Y., Camden, N.J., North Syracuse, N.Y. and Fulton, N.Y. Also, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Pearl City; St. Michael School, Waialua. Principal at Sacred Hearts School, Lahaina; St. Joseph School, Hilo
Present ministry: Preschool teacher, St. Francis Intergenerational Center of St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii
Reflection: Working with children brings me closer to God each day. I feel joy when, with God’s help, I can help adults and students get back and closer to God helping them to see the brighter side by turning to God. I have been so blessed by God who spoils me daily with his love.
50 years of religious profession
Sister Benedicta Younghee Ha, SDP
Birthdate: Feb. 9, 1943
Birthplace: South Korea
Religious order: Sisters of Divine Providence
Jubilee year: 50
Service in Hawaii: 2006 to present
Past ministries: Seven years pastoral work with Hawaii’s Korean Catholic Community
Present ministry: At Chaminade University of Honolulu teaching oriental brush painting, liturgical oriental art and the Korean language
Reflection: God’s calling was through an inspiration, a vision of light that touched in my heart, a moment deep and high and wide, to serve God’s people in the future world. When I was 18 years old, I read books of great saints. The life of St. Francis influenced me, in his simple way, in following God. My dad taught, showed and opened for me God’s love, his vision of the wide world. He helped me discover the wonderful world and experience of the Creator-artist. On Ascension Day, during Mass at the Mung Dong Cathedral Church, I received the grace of a strong and deep calling through Jesus ascending into heaven: “Go and do.”
I asked permission of my parents and they were happy and supported my decision. Therefore, I had hope and joyfully offered my future life. I wished to serve the poor, visit the sick and teach catechism to shut-ins. Whenever I had time, I would serve them once week. Some of them went to heaven after they received holy Communion and the sacrament of the sick. I’m sure the living God will bless them, and keep their souls happy in peace in heaven.
Artist Note: Awesome peaceful love is God’s grace
A New creation — will be today through the SIGN OF LOVE,
A spring water — drawn to all through the SIGN OF JOY,
An awesome love — will be blooming through the SIGN OF PEACE,
A new life — will be creating through the SIGN OF HOPE,
A refreshing breath — will be airing through the SIGN OF FATH,
A new Day, will be in GOD’S GRACE
50 years of religious profession
Sister Marian Y.H. Tung, CSJ
Birthdate: January 18, 1943
Birthplace: Honolulu
Religious order: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Jubilee year: 50
Service in Hawaii: since 1973
Ministries: 1973-1981, Hawaii Catholic School Department; 1981-1985, Transition, Deaf Center; 1985-1990, Diocesan Office for the Deaf; 1991-1999, Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind; 2000-2002, Japan mission; 2002- 2015, deaf education.
Reflection: On the occasion of my 50th jubilee as a religious, I am very grateful for the community I belong to and for those I have journeyed with over the years. First, I thank God for my family, the parish community we were associated with, and those families, religious and priests who fostered my religious vocation. I am a product of St. Theresa and St. Francis Schools.
Our church affiliation was an important part of our family life. The parish was the center of activity. There were church carnivals and bazaars, and parish societies helping to build a strong Catholic community. There were service projects most of us were involved in, and fun activities such as volleyball and bowling tournaments. We also visited hospitals and nursing homes and did service projects for them. All of this helped me to appreciate our sisters and priests and to be a giving and caring individual.
My formation years were in Los Angeles. Upon my return to the islands, I made my final vows at St. Theresa Parish. I worked as an educator at St. Anthony in Kailua and Holy Trinity where I taught the fourth grade. In the mid-70s I transitioned from education to work with deaf people through Hawaii Services on Deafness. After a number of years, I was asked to work for the Diocesan Office for the Deaf. In that position we canvassed our parishes to find out who were the deaf parishioners and what services were desired by them. Eventually we worked to have certain area parishes have Sign Language interpreters to sign the liturgy. I returned to the deaf agency until I went to school to get my master’s in deaf education.
My later years were spent in deaf education in the public sector where I was the educational assistant in special education in the elementary program in several schools. I retired two years ago and currently am doing a variety of volunteer work for the Office for Social Ministry and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, companioning with a deaf multi-handicapped adult in her recreational program. I am an usher/ticket taker for the Hawaii Theatre Center and continue to provide Sign Language interpreting for Sunday liturgy at Sts. Peter and Paul.
50 years of religious profession
Brother Richard C. Kupo, SS.CC.
Birthdate: Jan. 13, 1946
Birthplace: Wailuku, Maui
Religious order: Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Jubilee year: 50
Service in Hawaii: since 1966
Past ministries: Physical education teacher at St. Ann and St. Patrick Schools for 25 years; sacristan, cook, and environment decorator for St. Patrick Church; treasurer for the congregation’s Hawaii Province; provincial council member for the Hawaii and U. S. Provinces; novice master and socius (assistant to the novice master). I also play music when requested to do so.
Present ministry: Socius for the novitiate program, 2012-present
Reflection: I thank God for being visible to me throughout my religious life. My Mom is responsible for my religious vocation for it is through her devotion, prayers and direction that I entered religious life. During my novitiate year, I learned the virtue of perseverance. I have been blessed to love and serve God by witnessing his love with the people I have met along my journey, especially to those in need of his love.
I am grateful for the fraternal support of my religious superiors, brothers and sisters with whom I have lived. I am also thankful for the kindness of the many people who have assisted, worked and given me joy, love, happiness and peace throughout my life as a professed religious brother.
As for the highlights and joys that I have experienced throughout my vocation, I would say that those happened during the 25 years that I taught physical education at St. Patrick School. The experience and interaction with the students made a profound impact on my life.
I extend my deepest gratitude to those who support me through prayer, love and friendship, especially to those who have passed away.
To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, honor and glory!
25 years of ordination
Father Francisco “Frankie” Crisostomo De Los Reyes, SSS
Birthdate: June 4, 1957
Birthplace: San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Religious order: Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Jubilee year: 25 years of priesthood
Service in Hawaii: 2012 to the present
Past ministries: Associate pastor, Santa Cruz Church, Manila; provincial treasurer; local superior, Santa Cruz community, Manila; local superior, Blessed Sacrament Congregation community, Davao City, Mindanao; pastor of Assumption Parish, Davao City; head of non-governmental organizations (church-based and private), Davao City, Philippines
Present ministry: pastor, Mary, Star of the Sea Parish, Honolulu; board member of non-governmental organization in Davao City
Reflection: I was ordained April 20, 1991, in Santa Cruz Church, Manila, and assigned there as associate pastor. My main ministry, which I found challenging and fulfilling, was as chaplain of the colleges and a university within our parish. I found much joy, though not without hardships, ministering to the students. Also that year, I regularly celebrated Mass with male and female prisoners in the Manila City Jail’s chapel. The experience of leading these inmates to worship the Lord has deeply touched my life.
Toward the end of my first year as a priest, I was elected regional and then provincial treasurer of my congregation in the Philippines and member of the provincial council. It was a huge shift from pastoral to “administrative” ministry. Besides finances, it involved the overall wellbeing of my brothers. The Eucharist provided me the strength to carry out this joyful but challenging ministry.
After being treasurer, I was made superior of a pastoral community, Santa Cruz Church, Manila, and later, superior to a pastoral and formation community in Davao City. The assignments brought years of joys and sorrow, fulfillment and frustration, discovery and fatigue, spiritual highs and lows.
I also worked for organizations assisting the homeless and landless in Davao and neighboring provinces. For 16 years in this ministry, God showed me how the richness of the Eucharist could be expressed in its social dimension. With St. Peter Julian Eymard, our holy founder, I say, “May His Eucharistic Kingdom Come!”
25 years of religious profession
Sister Mary Kathleen Dugar, CSJ
Birthdate: May 26, 1947
Birthplace: Danvers, Massachusetts
Religious order: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Jubilee year: 25
Service in Hawaii: Joined the Sisters of St. Joseph as a candidate in 1990; served here all but one year, which was spent in Japan.
Past ministries: Librarian, archivist, first grade aide, teacher of English as a second language, council member for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Vice Province of Hawaii
Present ministry: Archivist; in transition
Reflection: Living in Hawaii was a childhood desire, as I grew up in coastal New England and dislike both cold and snow. I made my “small kid time” dream come true when I moved here in 1970. I spent the next 20 years working in a variety of occupations, including 10 years of service in the U.S. Navy where I repaired periscopes and navigation instruments. I never attended Catholic schools or college, but sensed a call to religious life, which I managed to push out of the way for many years. When I finally met some Sisters of St. Joseph, I was immediately attracted to the order. Their sense of joy, and charism of unity and reconciliation, really resonated in me.
During the past 25 years, I have enjoyed many and varied ministerial experiences, all of which centered on being among the people of God in Hawaii. No matter where I was or what my ministry, I have known that my purpose in life was being played out according to God’s plan for me.
50 years of religious profession
Sister Alicia Damien Lau, OSF
Birthdate: May 14, 1944
Birthplace: Honolulu
Religious order: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Jubilee year: 50
Service in Hawaii: 1968-1972 and 1986-present; 34 years as a religious serving the Diocese of Honolulu
Past ministries: Nursing for the past 53 years in direct care, director of programs, chief operating officer of multiple healthcare facilities and owner/consultant, working in healthcare and staff education.
Present ministries: owner/healthcare consultant, Damien Healthcare Consultants, LLC; National Park Service volunteer in Kalaupapa, two weeks per month
Reflection: Fifty-one years ago, I hiked down the trail from topside Molokai to Kalaupapa to spend the day on the isolated peninsula for a visit which changed my life forever. Influenced by my own experience with the patients, and the Sisters of St. Francis, I entered their community and took Damien’s name, desiring to follow his example and giving myself unconditionally to those in need.
During my early years in religious life, I learned about Mother Marianne’s work both in Central New York and Hawaii. I was inspired by her manao (spiritual and intellectual knowledge), and her mana (divine spiritual power) which governed her mission and ministry.
Having been trained as a nurse, my ministerial path lead to the development of new health programs as a clinical director for runaway and homeless children in New York City. Upon returning to Hawaii, I turned to elder care and became involved in the development of nursing homes, complex subacute care for children on ventilators, adult residential care facilities, adult day care, home care and a home health agency.
The most challenging and rewarding aspect of my ministries were and still are passing on my philosophy of care — pono. As I follow in St. Marianne’s footsteps, treating patients/clients and staff with respect, caring and righteousness, honoring their dignity and serving them with unconditional love, is paramount. For this, I give praise and thanksgiving to God.
25 years of ordination
Father Mount Joseph Selvan Durai Raj, SJ
Birthdate: March 30, 1960
Birthplace: Sundara Nachia Puram, India
Religious order: Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Jubilee year: 25 years ordained
Service in Hawaii: two years
Past ministries: 1999-2008, college teacher; 2011-2014, director of a college student hostel; pastoral ministries; formation of the Jesuit pre-novitiate students; spiritual direction for a women religious novitiate
Present ministry: parish administrator, Our Lady of Lourdes, Honokaa
Reflection: I aspired to become a priest when I was in my ninth grade because of the inspiring life of a Jesuit priest in my parish. I was born the fifth of nine children of my parents Durai Raj and Esther Mary. I was the only son until my youngest brother was born. Until then my pastor was not sure I would be accepted for priesthood. I used to pray for my vocation, so I lost hope. To my amazement, my brother was born when I was in 10th grade. So my faith was deepened and my vocation was confirmed. Still the vocation director told me that he would not select me unless I score 400 marks in my 11th grade. I was blessed with 445 marks. So I was selected and my journey toward my religious life began. I was overjoyed and praised the Lord! My trust in the Lord grew as I journeyed toward becoming a priest.
My religious journey has been and is always a joyful spiritual journey in spite of challenges. Whenever I had problems, I used to pour out all in my heart to my spiritual directors like confession. They were a source of inspiration, strength and guidance. I consider the sacrament of confession as a treasure and wisdom of our Catholic Church. Daily prayers, books and intellectual discussions at the table were sources of stability and direction in my life. People are my source of energy and enthusiasm.
25 years of ordination
Father Raymund Ellorin
Birthdate: Nov. 8, 1965
Birthplace: Philippines
Diocese: Honolulu
Jubilee year: 25
Service in Hawaii: since 2001
Past ministries: administrator or pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish, Ewa; St. Theresa Parish, Kihei; Sacred Hearts Parish, Lanai; Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Honokaa
Present ministry: Chaplain, St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii
25 years of ordination
Father Mark J. Gantley
Birthdate: Jan. 23, 1964
Birthplace: Fulton, N.Y.
Diocese: Honolulu
Jubilee year: 25
Service in Hawaii: since 2007
Past ministries: Pastoral work, Diocese of Syracuse and Diocese of Las Vegas
Present ministry: Judicial vicar, Diocese of Honolulu
25 years of ordination
Father Samuel Espinas Loterte, SSS
Birthdate: June 2, 1960
Birthplace: Philippines
Religious order: Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Jubilee year: 25
Service in Hawaii: since 2008
Past ministries: superior and director of college students, Eymard Formation Center; associate pastor, Santa Cruz Church, Manila; superior and director, Blessed Sacrament Scholasticate; superior, Santa Cruz Convent; special assignment, Star of the Sea Parish, Honolulu
Present ministry: pastor, St. Joseph Church, Hilo
