Grace Tokuda’s days at St. Joseph Parish School in Waipahu start early and end late. She also is an active participant in ministry at St. Joseph Church. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)
By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
If anyone should be blessed with extra hours in the day, it’s Grace Tokuda.
She starts her day by 5 a.m. in the cafeteria at St. Joseph Parish School in Waipahu. Her workday finally ends when after-school care is done at 5:30 p.m. On many days, she’s at it even longer, shopping for the next day’s groceries.
Students call her “Ms. Grace,” and she’s an important part of the place.
“I love the school atmosphere,” she says. “It’s a nice feeling — you want to keep working and work hard for those kids.”
Tokuda is also part of St. Joseph’s One Ohana for the Environment recycling project, held every third Saturday of the month. She and other volunteers collect recycling items from the community and throughout the school.
Furthermore, Tokuda serves as an usher at Mass at St. Joseph Church. She says she enjoys welcoming people into Mass — parishioners and visitors alike.
“I like this ministry because I like seeing people, greeting them and sending them on with their day,” she says. “Being around people and making them happy makes my day.”
Principal Beverly Sandobal wrote enthusiastically about Tokuda’s dedication to ministry and service.
“Stewardship is truly a way of life for our humble and loving disciple, Ms. Grace,” Sandobal wrote. “Through her actions, words and faith-filled heart, she embodies gratitude and devotion, inspiring those around her to embrace a life centered on God’s blessings.”
Tokuda encourages everyone to find a way to give their gifts back to their parish — it will pay dividends.
“It is a chance to meet people and encourage them to share their talents and knowledge where needed,” she says. “It will give a person great satisfaction and a sense of pride when they share the gift that was given to them.”
For Tokuda, each day starts with prayer. She knows that the most essential part of life is our Lord. Tokuda takes time with him in prayer each day, despite her busy schedule.
Giving her time and talents is Tokuda’s way of giving back to the parish.
“Even though I can’t give a lot, I can make it up with my time and talents,” she says. “If you enjoy what you do, you don’t think about being tired, just the joy that you made a difference.”
In her free time, which is rare, Tokuda enjoys reading, word searches, crossword puzzles and relaxing at home.
Tokuda loves the parish community at St. Joseph. She especially appreciates the vision shared by Sandobal and La Salette Father Eric Castro, St. Joseph’s pastor — to build one community with the parish and school.
“He plans to focus on everyone from the youngest to the eldest,” Tokuda says. “It is a collective journey that encourages all of us to grow together in faith and generosity.”
