By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
Our Lady of the Mount parishioner Ropati Liua enjoys being an active part of the Kalihi parish’s life. One of the primary ways he serves is through the young adult ministry — a group he was once part of as a youth himself.
After stepping away from the church for nearly 10 years, Liua returned with a renewed sense of purpose and quickly recognized a need within the ministry.
Drawing on his experiences, he felt called to step in, serve and help support young adults. When he heard an announcement about the need for a young adult minister, he saw it as a clear sign to step forward.
“I just looked up at the sky and said, ‘God, I hear you, I got you — that’s you,’” Liua said.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Liua has been serving with the young adult ministry for more than 10 years. He is also a hospitality minister, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and chairs the Pastoral Council.
In addition, Liua serves on the Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board and the Farrington Alumni and Community Foundation.
Liua admitted that after high school, he began to drift away from his faith, becoming more focused on the pursuit of money. At one point, he prayed and asked God to correct him if he was not being faithful.
Soon after, the money he had been earning began to slowly slip away, which Liua took as a sign to return to his Catholic faith — the tradition in which he was raised.
“When I came back to the Catholic Church, I felt peace, and I felt at home,” he said.
Liua has faced challenges in his life, including a stroke that nearly claimed his life. Doctors told his parents that only 1 in 1,000 people survives the surgery Liua underwent.
“I knew that was God telling me that I’m chosen, and I should be serving him,” he said. “I’m the lucky one.”
Service is woven into Liua’s DNA. He has a deep love for working with youth, understanding the challenges they face and the importance of having positive, steady support.
He is grateful to be able to offer that presence in their lives.
Liua also enjoys working as a hospitality minister. He worked in tourism for about 10 years, so he enjoys continuing that work in a volunteer capacity.
“Welcoming people all starts at the door,” he said. “You want to show them they are welcome and they are home.”
Liua offered advice to get more people involved in parish life — continue to invite them.
“Sometimes they say, ‘I don’t have time,’” he said. “I tell them, ‘There’s always the next one.’ And when they do come, they’re just shocked. They are thrilled to have been invited. They usually become part of the ministry.”
Liua said he feels blessed to have a long history at Our Lady of the Mount, a tradition that he and his family have shared. He’s proud of the 150-plus-year legacy of the parish.
Above: Ropati Liua, pictured with his mother and grandmother, is grateful for the opportunity to work with young people at Our Lady of the Mount Church in Kalihi. He also volunteers as a hospitality minister. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)