Story and photos by Darlene J.M. Dela Cruz
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The mid-morning liturgy at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa April 16 was an observance of faith, dedication and service. More than 250 people gathered for the diocese’s annual Jubilarians Mass, this year honoring 17 priests, nuns and brothers marking milestone anniversaries of ordination and religious profession.
Bishop Larry Silva was the main celebrant at the Mass. In his homily, the bishop tied the festive occasion to the day’s Gospel reading from John. The Scripture passage describes a time when Jesus’ disciples had difficulty believing some of his teachings.
Some of Jesus’ disciples walked away from him when faced with such a test of faith. Others, such as Simon Peter, stood by the Lord steadfastly.
Bishop Silva said the jubilarians — who have been in ordained ministry or religious life for 25, 50 and 60 years — have been like Peter in their perseverance.
“Unbelievable,” Bishop Silva said. “I’m sure that you who are jubilarians have said that more than once” when reflecting on decades of ministry. “How did this happen so quickly? Unbelievable.”
The bishop praised the jubilarians for staying true to the church’s emphasis on living morally, compassionately and focused on God.
Much like Simon Peter and the disciples who healed the sick and raised the dead, Bishop Silva noted that the jubilarians in their own vocations have similarly done great works in the modern day. They have aided those “hurt and depressed” and refreshed weary spirits.
“Even if we look at religious life, we might say well, it’s dying,” Bishop Silva said. “Yet we kneel down and we do what is unbelievable.”
“You are like Peter,” he added. “You are the ones chosen to go and give life. Thank God that you have.”
Before the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the jubilarians present at the co-cathedral recited a renewal of commitment. After Communion, each honoree was given a glass plaque as a token of appreciation from the Diocese of Honolulu for his or her faithful service.
2016 Jubilarians
60 Years
- Brother Frank Damm, SM
- Sister Roselani Enomoto, CSJ
- Sister Charlene Epil, OSF
- Sister Donna Marie Evans, OSF
- Sister Marie Jose Romano, OSF
- Sister Isabel A. Rabbon, MM
- Sister Grace Michael Souza, OSF
50 Years
- Sister Benedicta Younghee Ha, SDP
- Sister Marian Y.H. Tung, CSJ
- Brother Richard C. Kupo, SSCC
- Sister Alicia Damien Lau, OSF (not present at the Jubilarians Mass)
25 Years
- Father Francisco “Frankie” Crisostomo De Los Reyes, SSS
- Sister Mary Kathleen Dugar, CSJ
- Father Mount Joseph Selvan Durai Raj, SJ
- Father Raymund Ellorin
- Father Mark J. Gantley
- Father Samuel Espinas Loterte, SSS (not present at the Jubilarians Mass)
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- Maryknoll Sister Isabel Rabbon
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- Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Marian Tung
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- Blessed Sacrament Father Francisco De Los Reyes and Jesuit Father Mount Joseph Selvan Durai Raj
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- Franciscan Sister Grace Michael Souza
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- Sacred Hearts Brother Richard Kupo shares a Sign of Peace.
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- A well-wisher greets Sister Benedicta Younghee Ha.
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- Father Raymund Ellorin with Bishop Larry Silva.
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- Franciscan Sister Charlene Epil with Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Roselani Enomoto.
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- Franciscan Sister Marie Jose Romano, Sister of Divine Providence Benedicta Younghee Ha, Maryknoll Sister Isabel Rabbon and Franciscan Sister Donna Marie Evans sing with Marianist Brother Frank Damm.
