Guests at the Holy Trinity Parish baby shower May 21, from left, Mariah Hao, Julie Silva and Faith Becera, Kainani and Isla Alvarez, Amanda and Hope Kaaua, Christina Fanitzi and Gina Sally. (Photo courtesy of Sue Berk)
By Sue Berk
Special to the Herald
Following the U.S. bishops’ pro-life initiative, “Walking With Moms in Need,” Holy Trinity Church in Kuliouou threw a joyful baby shower, Sunday, May 21, to support mothers and expectant mothers in and beyond the parish. It was fun to celebrate with folks from Kuliouou, Hawaii Kai, Waianae, Aiea and Waikiki. We were joined by five new babies and their families plus a mom with a baby on the way. Three babies who could not be there will receive useful gifts and baby items.
For five weeks, Holy Trinity parishioners generously contributed baby gifts, gift cards and a variety of supplies useful to new moms to celebrate new life and new family life. More than two dozen parishioners volunteered to assist the parish Respect Life Committee with beautiful shower decorations, delicious refreshments, and a well-organized clean-up.
Holy Trinity pastor, Capuchin Franciscan Father Mike Dalton, blessed the gathering and enjoyed visiting with everyone. Refreshments included delicious tea sandwiches, fruit, pancit, lumpia, veggies, cookies, chocolate cake, cupcakes, iced tea and fruit juice. Jennie Heleski from the Catholic Charities Hawaii Mary Jane Home for single mothers and Mary Smart from Pearson Place pregnancy center told the group about their missions and how they are resources for moms and moms-to-be.
We were also honored by a visit from Bishop Larry Silva.
It was nice that young families had a chance to meet each other. You know how it is — when you attend different Masses you may never meet someone who regularly attends Mass at another time. We hope that new friendships and connections grow out of this gathering, among moms as well as among the Holy Trinity volunteers who came together for a beautiful cause.
We plan to stay connected with the families and celebrate milestones with them. Each family left with a gift bag and extra diapers. (They really appreciated the extra diapers.) Other supplies from the parish baby collection went to the Mary Jane Home as well as gift bags for two moms residing there.