Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Lina: Ever since Pono was little, he always followed Papa, and we were always close. He is my only grandson. Papa was very active in church ministry, and Pono would copy him. When he saw Papa go up to lecture, he said, “I can do that.” Before long, Pono started telling Father Larry Fisher, “I want to be an altar boy.” Father replied, “You need to make your first Communion first.” After Pono made his first Communion at age 7, he went right back and said, “I’m ready, Father.”
Pono: All of this took place at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Wahiawa. I grew up there and attended Our Lady of Sorrows School, received all my sacraments, participated in youth ministry and sang in the children’s choir.
Lina: I am grateful Pono always felt comfortable at church. It became his extended family, especially since he did not have any brothers or sisters. Before Papa passed away, I told Pono, “We need to do something — just you and me.” I could see him growing and starting to branch out.
Pono: I suggested attending Misa de Gallo. This Christmas season marks our fourth year celebrating the dawn Masses together.
Lina: After that, I became more involved as a lector and Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Sorrows. I also suggested that we alternate parishes.
Pono: I began attending Resurrection of the Lord in Waipio Gentry because friends invited me around the time of COVID-19. At first, I was hesitant as Our Lady of Sorrows was my home parish. But I kept coming and eventually became active in ministries there as well.
Lina: I feel that it is all connected. When God places people in your life, you just go with him, because he knows what he is doing. I truly enjoy the blessings of belonging to two parishes.
Pono: Faith comes down to choice. When I was younger, my grandparents invited me to church instead of forcing me. They shepherded me in the faith. Now that I’m older, my faith is something I choose. Going to Mass never felt like an obligation.
From first Communion to altar serving and spending time with others my age at church, doing things together gave my faith meaning.
I hope this generation learns that. We’re more technology-driven now and often miss out on real human interaction. Even at church, we can be physically present but mentally or spiritually disconnected.
Balancing technology with life before it has strengthened my faith. No matter how busy I get, I always turn to prayer.
Lina: Now I have many so grandchildren, that I sometimes I feel like a great-grandmother. People come up to me and say, “Hi, Aunty! Don’t you remember me? I was in your catechism class.” Others say, “Aunty, we want you to meet our family.” I know I am in the right place, as a faith-filled mother and a grandmother.