The new aspirants and their wives took a group photo during their first weekend together at St. Stephen Diocesan Center. (Courtesy photo)
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Eighteen men from across the state have officially begun their journey toward becoming permanent deacons in the Diocese of Honolulu.
Cohort 12, which held its first weekend together Jan. 10-12 at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe, represents a range of locales (four islands), marital statuses (17 married, one single) and ages (several are young adults).
The increase in younger men discerning the call to the permanent diaconate “is a great blessing,” said Deacon Keith Cabiles, director of the Office of the Chancellor and associate co-director of the Office of Permanent Deacon Formation.
“A deeper understanding of the diaconate presents the deacon as an intermediary, bridging the Good News with the practical needs of the world, as well as (being) a witness and catalyst to Jesus’ selfless service,” Deacon Cabiles said. “And so, to have men of all ages and stages of life benefits the church tremendously.”
Cohort 12’s size is another positive sign, he said.
“For the past few cohorts, the COVID crisis negatively impacted the number of applicants to formation. But we ramped up our efforts to promote the vocation for Cohort 12 and received a nice response.”
The Diocese of Honolulu’s permanent deacon formation program is a five-year period of discernment, learning and preparation. Deacon Cabiles said the first two years are referred to as “aspirancy,” with men considered aspirants until their third year, when the rite of candidacy is held. The rites of lector and acolyte follow in the third and fourth years, and ordination after the fifth year.
The candidates are: Ryan Agcaoili (Oahu), Jay Bautista (Maui), John Camuso (Oahu), Carlos Chirivi (Oahu), David Clyne (Oahu), Timothy Foster (Oahu), Patrick Guzman (Oahu), Daniel Hobro (Oahu), Joshua Kapika (Oahu), Allan Kuaana (Oahu), Rommel Ofalsa (Oahu), Brandon Perea (Hawaii Island), Regan Ramos (Oahu), Antonio Reyes (Oahu), Garrett Russell (Oahu), David Shirai (Oahu), Tamafaiga Tuiteleleapaga (Oahu) and Edwin Vila (Lanai).