From left, Father Joseph Diaz, Father Ernesto Juarez and Father Exsequel Tuyor together at St. Anthony Parish, Kailua. (Photo courtesy of Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP)
By Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“I wanna make you smile whenever you’re sad. Carry you around when your arthritis is bad. Sure, all I wanna do is grow old with you” the priestly trio sang, practicing the Filipino song “Kung Tayoy Matanda Na” for a wedding renewal.
This was nothing out of the ordinary as Father Exsequel Tuyor, administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua, strummed his guitar accompanied by the voices of his parochial vicars Father Joseph (Bong) Diaz and Father Ernesto Juarez Jr. During the school’s Christmas performance, they pulled their creative energies together to the accompaniment of Father Tuyor’s guitar as Father Diaz portrayed Joseph and Father Juarez took on the role of Mary to the delight of all.
“We are blessed to have three of us here,” said Father Tuyor.
“We are a team of three priests working together,” smiled Father Juarez.
All three priests are from the Philippines. Fathers Tuyor and Diaz are from the Diocese of Tagum. Father Juarez is from the Diocese of Nueva Segovia.
The parish has around 1,800 families. Each priest has his formal ministerial assignment including visits to the sick and the homebound. But when the need arises, they are there to cover for each other and lend support.
“We help each other. All we need to do is tell each other if something comes up that conflicts with our Mass schedule or other appointments,” said Father Diaz. On certain solemnities of the church and on special feasts of Mary, the trio concelebrates the Masses with each taking his turn as the main celebrant and homilist.
“During our idle moments, we sing together, go fishing, or play tennis,” said Father Diaz. On Wednesdays through Fridays, the three priests gather together for morning Lauds, breakfast, meetings and discussions. They take turns leading the prayer and cooking. All help with cleaning up.
“We are like secular priests living a religious community life,” said Father Diaz.
One of the exciting projects they are looking forward to in January is the launching of a campus ministry in the school. Already serving on the school board, Father Diaz has been appointed by the administrator to work even more closely with the school in this capacity.
Thus, increasing their interactions with the students beyond regular school Masses, classroom invitations by religion teachers, basketball and volleyball games, and as Father Tuyor proudly added: “tennis, jacks and jan-ken-po.”
