By Deacon Jim Dougherty
Special to the Herald
Nearly 80 former members of Holy Cross Parish on Uman Island in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia, gathered Dec. 7 for a special blessing during the monthly Chuukese Mass at Holy Rosary Mission Church in Keaau, Hawaii island.
The blessing was for the men who are forming three associations that supported their faith life when they lived on their home island of Uman in the Chuuk lagoon.
Each of these associations is linked to one of the five chapels or the main parish church on Uman, Holy Cross Church. The main church as well as the five chapels are located in separate villages around the island.
The associations include a parish council, a youth association and a community association, all supporting the framework of their Catholic parish life as lived originally on their home island.
Chuuk is one of four island states in the Federated States of Micronesia, which also includes Yap, Kosrae and Pohnpei. During World War II, the U.S. Navy built a base at Uman Island, which was an anchorage for PT boats.
The blessing was given by Blessed Sacrament Father Samuel E. Loterte, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, as well as by two Chuukese deacons assigned to St. Theresa Parish: Deacon Sukan Stephen and Deacon Joseph Albert.
Holy Rosary is one of two churches in St. Theresa Parish, with St. Theresa Church, the office and the rectory located in Mountain View, about halfway up the highway leading to Kilauea Volcano. Holy Rosary also has a Micronesian Ministry office and office space for meetings for the local Micronesian population.
Because of their unusually close family relationships within their culture, many Chuukese from Uman Island live and associate frequently on the east side of Hawaii island.
The Chuukese women from Uman already have an apostleship of prayer association initiated on Uman Island called Nopina. The Nopina is responsible for nine-day novenas for the deceased, as well as for regularly praying the Divine Mercy chaplet, the rosary and other devotionals in support of their fellow islanders and living and deceased family members.
Having these groups in their communal religious life on Hawaii island is a significant development for the former Uman islanders. They are continuing important religious and cultural traditions of their former island life in their present homes and churches on Hawaii island.
They are a wonderful asset to the Catholic parishes on the east side of Hawaii island, and ardent and prayerful Catholics who manifest their faith in beautiful Chuukese customs, music and practice to all who worship with them.
Deacon Jim Dougherty is assigned to St. Theresa Parish.
Above: Deacon Sukan Stephen blessed men who represent Holy Cross Parish on Uman during Mass Dec. 7 at Holy Rosary Mission Church. (Courtesy Deacon Jim Dougherty)