Mother Felicitas Macsera / 1930-2025
Mother Felicitas Macsera was born April 21, 1930, to Francisco Macsera and Soledad Jaynos in the neighborhood of St. Anne Parish in Molo, Iloilo, Philippines. At the Charity School of the Beaterio of Molo, she learned catechism and vernacular reading under Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo, founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. In 1959, Macsera entered the convent.
1964 marked the beginning of a historic chapter in her life, the life of the congregation and Catholic education in Hawaii. At the invitation of Bishop James Sweeney of the Diocese of Honolulu, Sister Macsera was one of the pioneering Dominican Sisters to arrive in Hawaii to address the growing need for Catholic school education.
She helped establish St. Elizabeth School in Aiea in 1964; St. Joseph School in Makawao, Maui, in 1968; and on Kauai, Holy Cross School in Kalaheo and St. Catherine School in Kapaa in 1969.
In 1976, Sister Macsera served as the principal of St. John the Baptist School in Kalihi, taking over from the Maryknoll Sisters. In 1986, the long-awaited dream of the Dominican Center Hawaii (the regional house) in Waipio was blessed. Rosary Preschool opened its doors the next year.
From 1969-89, Sister Macsera served as the elected regional superior of the Hawaii mission. In 1990, she became principal of St. Charles Borromeo School in San Francisco.
She was recalled to the Philippines in 1994 following her election as prioress of the Dominican Sisters motherhouse in Molo, Iloilo. This was followed by her election as prioress general in 1999.
Mother Macsera died peacefully Aug. 3 in the infirmary of the Dominican Sisters motherhouse. She was 95 years old and 64 years professed. A memorial Mass was held for her Aug. 9 at the Dominican Center Hawaii.
Sister Delfa Guillen / 1946-2025
Sister Delfa Guillen was born May 22, 1946, one of five children born to Narciso Millena Guillen and Lucia Luces Milliondaga in Manapla, Negros Occidental, Philippines. In 1973, she entered the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines. Five years later, she was sent as a missionary to Hawaii.
From 1978-2012, Sister Guillen taught at St. Joseph School in Makawao, St. Catherine School, St. Elizabeth School and St. John the Baptist School. She also ministered at the House of Aloha in Waianae.
Sister Guillen died July 25 at the Dominican Sisters motherhouse infirmary at age 79; she was 48 years professed. A memorial Mass was held Aug. 9 at the Dominican Center Hawaii.
Mother Macsera and Sister Guillen served in Hawaii for a total of 59 years.