The Bissen ohana last Christmas: front, from left, are Julia Bissen-Asuncion, Dr. Charmaine Bissen and Deacon Ken Bissen Jr.; back, from left, are Michael Asuncion and Lokahi Bissen. (Courtesy Dr. Charmaine Bissen)
Hawaii’s permanent deacons
By Dr. Charmaine Bissen
Special to the Herald
“Many are called but few are chosen.” Our family’s journey to the diaconate was filled with dreams and aspirations of helping our Maui community thrive more spiritually.
In 2000, my husband Ken Bissen Jr. and I were approached by the deacon at our former parish, St. Ann Church in Waihee, to consider entering the diaconate program. We were very active in the parish while our faith continued to grow stronger in the daily challenges we faced with a medically fragile child and the uncertainty of our son’s survival.
In 2002, our family entered the diaconate formation program in Cohort 6. We both worked full-time: I was employed as the Maui district psychologist for the Department of Education, and Deacon Ken was the purchasing specialist for Maui County Department of Water Supply.
During this period, Deacon Ken’s parents lived with us and we provided for their multiple needs and care. We relied on friends and my sister to help care for our children while we traveled every month to Oahu from Maui for the formation weekends.
Our daughter Julia Keakealani was 8 years old, and our son Lokahi was 10 years old with the mind of a very young child with multiple lifelong cognitive, neurological and physical disabilities requiring 24/7 care.
In 2005, Bishop Larry Silva transferred us to Christ the King Church in Kahului. It was a much larger parish with numerous activities. Although we missed the loving, smaller Hawaiian community at St. Ann, we were excited to support Christ the King where we have remained.
In 2007, Deacon Ken was ordained at Christ the King Church. La Salette Father Efren Tomas was the pastor at the ordination.
The diaconate weekends were a time when our spirituality and faith grew even deeper. We bonded with our classmates and made enduring friendships.
Deacon Keith and Bernie Galang faithfully picked us up every month at the airport to transport us to the weekend. Several of our beloved classmates have passed but are fondly remembered. Deacon Pat and Cora Constantino kindly mentored us throughout the program.
Over the years, Bishop Silva would often visit Maui. Our children bonded with Bishop Silva who was compassionate and understanding with the complexities of our lives raising a disabled child while fulfilling diaconate duties.
In 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Silva officiated our daughter’s wedding at Christ the King Church.
The La Salette priests who have been at Christ the King Church are a constant support and blessing for our family. Father Tomas and Father Anil Kochuthazhath Varghese are most kind and compassionate.
We are now approaching our seventh decade in life. This year we celebrate 46 years of marriage.
As we reflect, we have been blessed at Christ the King with loving support from the parishioners, clergy and staff.
The beautiful cultural festivities held at the parish have been a wonderful church environment for our children to be a part of. Our daughter learned more of her Filipino culture at CTK with the encouragement from the business manager, Madelyne Pascua, who mentored her.
Today, we continue to be active with many different committees and interests (e.g., past Social Ministry, Finance, Pastoral, Eucharistic Women of the Cross, etc.) Diaconate responsibilities include baptism classes, adult formation classes, funerals, marriage preparation, financial counseling, prayer group, weekly baptisms, community events and so on.
The Spiritual and Mental Health Ministry is an active ministry we are overseeing. We also participate in Life in the Spirit seminars and Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Other interests are gathering and distributing charitable donations of clothing, food, etc., for those in need, and participation in other community activities promoting the well-being of others.
We tend to be low-profile and prefer not to announce all the different things that we do in the parish and communities. However, I felt it was important to share our personal journey because we wanted to encourage anyone thinking about the diaconate program to inquire further.
There will be many challenges but with God all things are possible. Aloha ke Akua.
