Hawaii Catholic Herald
Known for his musical composition of a Mass in Hawaiian that is still sung today, Sacred Hearts Father Albert Garcia served as a beloved pastor, educator and chaplain on Oahu and Maui for many decades.
Father Garcia died Dec. 29 at age 83 after a long fight with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 62 years professed with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Albert Gene Garcia was born in Honokaa, Hawaii island, on April 24, 1942, the younger of two sons of George and Rosaline Garcia. His baptism, on May 2, 1942, took place in his home parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Honokaa. He attended Honokaa elementary and intermediate schools.
In 1956, he enrolled at Sacred Hearts Seminary in Hauula, Oahu. Following his high school graduation, he entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
He studied at Chaminade College from 1960-1962, and also attended Queen of Peace Mission Seminary in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.
Father Garcia professed temporary vows in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, on Aug. 22, 1963. Three years later, on Aug. 22, 1966, he professed his perpetual vows in Honolulu.
On June 13, 1969, Bishop John J. Scanlan ordained him to the priesthood at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki.
Father Garcia’s first assignment was at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku, Maui. He returned to Oahu in 1970 and served at Damien Memorial School and Sacred Hearts Seminary.
His next assignment took him to Holy Trinity Church in Kuliouou for two years; then, he crossed Oahu to serve at Sacred Heart Church in Waianae.
After six years Father Garcia moved to St. Ann Church in Kaneohe, and following that spent time at St. Patrick Church in Kaimuki. He then served at St. Augustine Church in Waikiki before settling at St. Michael Church in Waialua for his final assignment, becoming pastor in 1993 and serving until 2003.
There, according to St. Michael’s website, Father Garcia worked with various ministries and practiced with the choir and members of the liturgical ministry. He also initiated the youth ministry and improved the art and environment ministry. During his time as pastor, he also formed the parish’s 150th anniversary planning committee.
Father Garcia retired to St. Patrick Monastery in Kaimuki due to his illness.
In addition to his duties as pastor and associate pastor, Father Garcia also taught at Damien Memorial School and Star of the Sea Elementary School (now Mary, Star of the Sea School), and served as chaplain to the Sacred Hearts sisters.
‘Kind-hearted soul’
Sacred Hearts Father Herman Gomes was an altar boy at Father Garcia’s ordination to the priesthood in 1969. According to Father Gomes, Father Garcia lived a life of peace, which was evident in his countenance and the way he treated others.
“Father Albert was a gentle and kind-hearted soul in every aspect of his life,” Father Gomes said. “He was disciplined and a man of integrity. He was committed to the priesthood and to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts.”
Father Gomes said that the older priest would bring his chalice, a gift from his parents, to offer Mass every morning. And in his later years, despite his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Father Garcia maintained his dry sense of humor and was cooperative with his caregiver, according to Father Gomes.
“In many ways, he was an artist,” Father Gomes said. “He composed songs used in the liturgy and created art pieces that are found in our Sacred Hearts community house, Bethany Monastery, in Kaneohe.”
Funeral services are pending.