Bishop Larry Silva raised the host during the Eucharistic prayer as he celebrated the “Naming of a Child” Mass Dec. 5 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. (Photo courtesy Dann Ebina)
By Valerie and Deacon Gary Streff
Special to the Herald
A few years ago, Jayne Ragasa-Mondoy, then the diocesan director of faith formation and religious education, offered a suggestion to Bishop Larry Silva and other priests regarding the loss of a child through miscarriage. She noted how men and women grieve silently for their loss, some for many years.
The “Order of Christian Funerals” offers ways to honor and pray for a child who died before birth, whether it is through a miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, abortion or other means. We pray for parents who are saddened by the loss of their child. We pray and grieve with them in their pain and sorrow. We await that special day when we will meet our family members in the kingdom of heaven. (“Order of Christian Funerals,” 399,15)
On Dec. 5, Bishop Silva celebrated a “Naming of a Child” Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. Each mother was presented with a certificate and an ornament, and was asked to name her child. Mothers and fathers were asked to step forward and place their certificates in front of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The name written and given by the parents was offered to the Lord, for God is the author of life and calls each of us by name.
Bishop Silva also blessed the parents to assist them in their grief and console them with the blessings of the Lord.
AJ and Janelle Tuncap, parishioners of St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea, lost their child, Azelie Tuncap, in August 2024. This is their second miscarriage.
They were gifted with a full funeral service and burial in August by Father Arrion Rosales-Llantos, parochial vicar of St. Elizabeth — something that is fairly new for miscarriage babies.
The Tuncaps are blessed with 12 active children.
Jade and Paulo Kelekolio of St. George Church in Waimanalo lost their son Andrew 40 years ago.
“We were married at the age of 19 and 20 years old respectively. In August of that year, we found out we were pregnant. We were ecstatic, only to find out we lost our baby the Monday before Thanksgiving,” Jade Kelekolio said.
“I lost my husband to cancer last year (and) felt now he can be with our son. … Being able to name my son at the co-cathedral in front of the bishop on the anniversary of my husband’s marriage proposal was so amazing for me. It was more than closure for me after 40 long years of tears. My husband and I stayed close to God and raised five other beautiful men and women in the Catholic faith.”
Kaitlin Hudson, a parishioner at Resurrection of Our Lord Church in Waipio, said, “Miscarriage is heart-shattering and frustrating. But I am choosing to be thankful. Thankful that my son, Anthony, never had to experience sin or pain.”
“The Mass last night with Bishop Larry was a lovely way to honor our babies who are now in heaven. I am so thankful for the diocese who gives grieving families an opportunity to come together and honor our babies in the arms of Jesus.”
Let us continue to pray for all those who lost a child. If you would like an ornament and a certificate signed by Bishop Silva, please contact the diocesan Respect Life Office, care of Deacon Gary and Valerie Streff, at (808) 203-6722.
