Gloria Aqui and Arlenee Ver, parish staff at St. Catherine, Kapaa.
VIRIDITAS2: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
SMD: How long have both of you been working at St. Catherine of Alexandria parish in Kapaa, Kauai?
AV: Let us put it this way, we are both cradle-born parishioners. Gloria is from St. Sylvester’s in Kilauea, and I am from St. Catherine’s.
SMD: What do you do in the parish office here?
GA: I do computer and data input and take care of the church website. I have been doing this for 12 years now since after I retired from public school teaching.
AV: I have always volunteered in helping around the church. When there was an opening for a paid position for housekeeping, I applied. So, now I do that as well as working in the office.
SMD: As cradle Catholics, how do you keep your faith alive?
AV: We are still doing stewardship. I have always been taught that God is number one. When my parents were going through rough times growing up, my mom always prayed to her patron saint, St. Anne and to Mary in the Miraculous Medal. At five years old, I could see the difference in my mom as she went through a difficult menopause. As far as my faith walk is concerned, there are always people around me, who do lift you up 10-fold. Such as, my cousin Sister (of St. Joseph of Carondelet) Marie Gertrude Roldan.
GA: I have always been involved in the church, even when I was working. My husband Melvin was planning on becoming a deacon. My children were altar servers and lectors. Ever since Melvin passed away 24 years ago, I felt I needed to do something more. It seems like God was calling me. I love to be at the church early in the morning, especially to set up for Mass. It is so peaceful. I love what I am doing. However, I hope someone will follow in my footsteps and take over. At 81 years of age, I am ready to retire.
SMD: Regarding changes in the church, how do you keep adapting?
AV: I grew up with the Society of Mary (Marist) Fathers. With each new parochial vicar or administrator, we try to listen to their faith journey and adjust to how they want to spread the Good News.
SMD: Some words of wisdom to share?
AV: When I used to teach religious education, I taught about the gifts of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If people would only know that for the rest of their lives, their journeys will be full. Also, don’t say that Catholics never read the Bible, because we do so every Sunday at least.
And when you make the sign of the cross, you are talking to God. Once a kid asked me, “What do I need to make the sign of the cross for?” Using the analogy of how everyone uses a cellphone today, I responded that it is our way of talking to God. If they do it wrong where the hand motions are sloppy I make the sound, “Beep, beep …” as in the sound of a phone call disconnected. When we make the sign of the cross properly, we are connected to God and can feel it in our hearts.
This interview took place March 21 at St. Catherine, Kauai.
