Father Jaime Jose, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Makawao, Maui, poses with parishioners on parish grounds. Father Jose will join a parishioner in leading a class in basketball basics as part the parish’s summer health activities. (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Parish, Makawao)
The priests of St. Joseph Parish in Makawao, Maui, charged with keeping their flock spiritual ly fit, are going a step further — literally. Many steps, actually. Father Jaime Jose and Father Drexel Ramos are teaming up with the parish Social Outreach Ministry to offer physical activities to help keep parishioners healthy in body, mind and spirit.
The parish is offering summertime programs in walking, basketball, healthy cooking and tai chi led by the priests and several parishioners.
“Walking Fit with Father Drexel” is a twice-a-week program led by the parochial vicar, an avid walker. He leads walkers on aerobic hikes around the church and school grounds and beyond on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-9 a.m. Walking helps manage a healthy weight, heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. It also helps strengthen bones and muscles, and improves balance and coordination.
The pastor Father Jaime Jose and parishioner Bruce Anderson are leading “Basketball Basics” 4-5 p.m., Tuesdays, in June and July for children and adults. They describe their workout for beginners as a great activity for parents and grandparents who would like to learn with their child or grandchild basic hoop skills. An hour of basketball can burn 630-750 calories, improve balance and coordination, develop concentration and self-discipline.
Parishioner John Rivera, a certified tai chi instructor, is offering four hour-long classes in his art on church grounds on Wednesday afternoons in June and July and also on Thursday evenings. This class for beginners offers a gentle form of exercise that helps a person maintain strength, flexibility and balance. It is often described as “meditation in motion.”
The parish is also offering a healthy cooking demonstration and food sampling class by parishioners David and Tyua Sereda about eating more plant-based and less processed food to help control weight, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
The parish is also has a program called “Bingo Fellowship with a Twist.”
