Ryan Agcaoili is on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee and also serves at his parish, the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
Ryan Agcaoili truly finds peace in serving at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. It’s not that he’s doing anything huge or momentous — it’s quiet, patient service to our Lord.
One way Agcaoili loves to serve is through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, or OCIA, watching the candidates and catechumens receive the sacraments. His wife, Ashley, also serves with OCIA.
“I like introducing people to the Catholic faith,” Agcaoili says. “It helps me see our faith in a different light. It’s always so joyous when they finally receive the sacraments.”
Agcaoili joined the co-cathedral about five years ago. His former parish was St. Anthony Church in Kalihi. He and Ashley are the coordinators for youth ministries, having served in this capacity at St. Anthony.
“We want to focus on the youth leaders and build them up,” Agcaoili says. “We want to mentor them so they can connect with the youth. We also want an active young adult ministry that feeds the attendees.”
Another way that Agcaoili serves at the co-cathedral is as a lector. He says he cherishes having the opportunity to share God’s word with others.
“When I’m on to lector, I spend more time looking ahead and learning about the readings,” he says. “Just that has helped me grow in faith.”
The Agcaoilis are also members of a faith-sharing ministry for couples and families. They appreciate the community that has formed around this ministry, which during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns became even more important and helped them grow in their faith.
Another ministry that keeps Agcaoili busy is the Diocesan Stewardship Committee. He has been a member for about three years and recently had the opportunity to attend the Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference in Wichita, Kansas.
“A lot of people think that stewardship is all about money,” Agcaoili says. “It’s so much more than that. It’s more about spirituality and growing that helps you to be more alive in the Lord.”
Agcaoili says he enjoyed learning how stewardship starts at home, then moves to the parish. He says he looks forward to promoting all that he learned at the conference.
“I want to encourage people to get involved in their parish,” Agcaoili says. “If God calls you to do it, then you should pray about it and see if it’s something you want to do. If you have those talents, hopefully, you can use them. God has given you those talents. Try to serve where you are being called.”