NEWS FROM PAGES PAST
50 years ago — Oct. 20, 1967
Bishop Scanlan stands before the altar and reads the prayers of blessing upon this new chapel which will serve both the Sisters of St. Francis and the students. He is flanked by Father Francis Kelliher, M.M., pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Very Rev. Harold Meyer, SS.CC., provincial of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, Father Lawrence Takao, master of ceremonies.
25 years ago — Oct. 23, 1992
Angels
The desk of the Vatican’s number-two official may be piled high with edicts, letters and assignments, but he leaves room in his thoughts for more unworldly things — like angels.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, took time out of his busy schedule recently to sing the glories of an age-old but increasingly forgotten spiritual companion.
“We thank the Lord for having placed guardian angels beside us,” the cardinal said during a Mass Oct. 2. “The dogma of the existence of angels introduces us to the wonders worked by God.” …
“The more we become simple like a child, then the more we penetrate the mystery of faith” and appreciate a gift like the guardian angel, he said.
10 years ago — Oct. 19, 2007
Kona’s St. Michael Church is closed after quake reveals walls in danger of collapse
Almost a year after West Hawaii off-shore earthquakes revealed extensive deterioration of the mortar holding together St. Michael Church in Kailua-Kona, the building was labeled a “dangerous structure” and closed on Sept. 24.
The fate of the lava rock church, which was built in 1850, remains uncertain. Masses and other church services and activities will be held at a former movie theater nearby that St. Michael’s recently leased until either repairs are made to the existing building or a new church is built.
Tom Peters, the chairperson of St. Michael’s Planning and Building Committee, said the closing of the church was a shock.
“It’s an emotional thing … for the many, many generations that have lived and worshipped at the church,” he said. “St. Michael’s is a part of who we are.”
