Blessed Sacrament Father Apolinario “Poli” Ty, left, pastor of St. Joseph Church, joined Kumu Maile Kipapa, second from left; Student Council Executive President Raylee Mateo, left center; and student campus minister Michaela Costales, right center, as St. Joseph School hosted two Blessed Sacrament leaders for a tour. Father Philip Benzy Romician, second from right, is superior general, and Father Roel Dela Cruz is general consultor. (Elina Bockrath [St. Joseph School ‘26])
Special to the Herald
HILO — St. Joseph School hosted a campus visit Sept. 8 by two leaders from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament: Father Philip Benzy Romician, superior general, and Father Roel Dela Cruz, general consultor.
Kumu Maile Kipapa, head of school, led the tour with student leaders Raylee Mateo, Student Council executive president, and Michaela Costales, student campus minister.
The guests visited classrooms, met students and teachers, and saw key areas of campus life. They shared words of encouragement about the spirit they sensed on campus, saying, “We have visited other Catholic schools, but the Holy Spirit is truly evident here. We can immediately see that the atmosphere is loving and an excellent place for students to learn.”
The visit honored the school’s Catholic identity and affirmed the daily work of faculty and staff. Student leaders guided the clergy through academic spaces, student services and areas used for worship and service.
The tour closed with gratitude for the time given by both priests and for the support of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.
For more information, visit www.sjshilo.org.