NEWS FROM PAGES PAST
50 years ago — July 29, 1966
The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts, the first religious community of nuns to enter Hawaii, have modified their religious habit effective this weekend. The new habit will be without the present cape and the headpiece with veil has been simplified. Also the embroidered emblem of the Sacred Hearts has given way to an attractive medallion on a necklace. The change in habit is a step toward the “adaptation” counseled by the Church. Sister Mary Rose, SS.CC. models the present habit on the left and Sister Anne Marie, SS.CC. is wearing the new style habit on the right.
25 years ago — Aug. 2, 1991
‘Called by Name’
In an effort to help counter the shrinking and aging priest and religious population, the Diocese of Honolulu has inaugurated a program to promote and recruit vocations entitled, “Called by Name.” The program, which begins in five parishes Oct. 6, includes the “nomination” of those with potential vocations. October is traditionally the church’s “Vocations Month.”
After a time of preparation and prayer, lay parishioners seen by others as having promise and an aptitude for a vocation will be personally picked and encouraged through the program to consider the priesthood or religious life.
Father Patrick Freitas, vocations coordinator for the diocese, said the “theology” behind the program is: “God calls, but the church invites.” …
All Hawaii parishes will be asked to support the program through special prayer. The diocese plans to expand the program to other parishes in the future.
10 years ago — July 28, 2006
‘A day of great rejoicing’
An hour before the start of the 10 a.m. rededication of St. Joseph Church in Waipahu, throngs of parishioners had already collected outside the newly enlarged and renovated church.
As the crowd stretched around the tan brick church and into the adjacent parking lot that muggy July 15 morning, young and old fanned themselves with their printed ceremony program to chase off the rising heat.
At one point, scattered raindrops prompted the brief opening of umbrellas but they quickly dissipated, leaving behind a bright perfect day by which to celebrate the end of a yearlong renovation project and the beginning of a new era for St. Joseph Church. …
St. Joseph’s regular new capacity, thanks to 40 feet added to the church’s width, is 750, an increase of 300 from the old configuration.
The new church is a “big improvement” over the old church, said parishioner Francis Balatbat. “Very nice and comfortable.”
