“God, our Father, guide of humanity and ruler of creation, look upon these your servants, who wish to confirm their offering of themselves to you. As the years pass by, help them to enter more deeply into the mystery of the church and to dedicate themselves more generously to the good of humanity.”
Prayer of the renewal of vows from the Mass of Religious Profession
Bishop Larry Silva will celebrate the annual Jubilarian Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11. All are invited.
70 years
Brother Frank Damm, SM
Born: Detroit; 1936
Community: Marianists
Celebrating: 70 years, profession
Years of service in Hawaii: 23 (1997-2020)
Past ministries: High school and college teacher in Ohio and Nairobi, Kenya; regional superior of Eastern Africa; administrative service at Chaminade University of Honolulu
Present ministry: Retired
Biography/reflection: God has been very good to me in religious life as a Marianist Brother. There was never a community that I did not enjoy and there have always been good brothers to support me. I enjoyed all of my teaching experiences — educating students in science, physics and astronomy at both the high school and college level. Serving overseas in Africa was an important experience for me; getting to know the various African brothers and their cultures was very rewarding. My African service was one of many opportunities that I may not have had available to me had I not been a Marianist — opportunities that also included getting my pilot’s license and being able to fly private planes for various Marianist excursions. After 21 years in Africa, my final ministerial experience brought me back to the Western Hemisphere with administrative service at Chaminade University of Honolulu from 1997 until 2020. Like Africa, I very much enjoyed my time immersed in the Hawaiian culture before retiring to the Marianist Care Center in Cupertino, California.
Sister Roselani Enomoto, CSJ
Born: Paia; 1937
Community: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Celebrating: 70 years
Years of service in Hawaii: Returned to Maui in 1979; served in full-time ministry here for more than 40 years
Past ministries: Elementary and high school education as teacher and counselor in California, Japan and Maui; vice provincial for the Hawaii Vice Province and also served the Hawaii Vice Province as social justice director and liaison, vocations co-director and Founders Day chairperson, as well as in mission advancement and volunteer services; director of the diocesan Office of Maui Catholic Social Ministry; helped establish the nonprofit organization Na Hoaloha on Maui; co-director of diocesan Office for Social Ministry; chairperson of the Kahaupali Memorial Association which maintains the family graveyard
Present ministry: Prayer and presence at Roselani Place, Kahului, Maui
Biography/reflection: Sister Roselani was born Dorothy Anne Kanani Enomoto, the eldest daughter of Anne and Toshi Enomoto. Her large family has a rich ethnic background (Japanese, Hawaiian, Scotch-Irish) and deep roots in the Upper Paia area known as Sunnyside where she grew up. She attended Holy Rosary School where she met the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet whose community she entered after graduating from St. Anthony High School. After 14 years of teaching in California she was happy to be missioned to Japan. An unexpected phone call brought her home to Maui where she served at St. Anthony High School and in diocesan and Vice Province offic es. In August of 2023 her Hale Iokepa local community along with another CSJ moved to Roselani Place, an independent living and care community, where they formed the new Damien and Marianne local CSJ community. Here Roselani continues to participate in parish, CSJ community and Roselani Place activities. Her ability to speak Japanese brightens the days of several of the residents and she is often asked by them to pray for themselves or their families. The ministry of prayer and presence is not passive but an active living out of the CSJ charism of “love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.”
Sister Charlene Epil, OSF
Born: Koolaupoko, Waimanalo; 1937
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Celebrating: 70 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 62 (returned from New Jersey in 1964)
Past ministries: Taught in several schools in New York and New Jersey; taught in Hawaii at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Pearl City, and St. Joseph School, Hilo, and also served as the librarian at St. Joseph School
Present ministry: Franciscan presence at The Plaza, Kaneohe
Biography/reflection: These 70 years as a Franciscan Sister have been fulfilling. I was born to Magdalino and Saturnina Epil, immigrants from the Philippines who worked on the Waimanalo Sugar Plantation. I attended Waimanalo Elementary School and graduated from Saint Francis High School. I was actively involved in St. George Parish, serving as president of the Girls’ Sodality and participating in the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) basketball, volleyball and softball teams. I am grateful to my parents, priests, religious figures and laypeople who have traveled with me and supported me. Their kindness, generosity and prayers have helped me feel God’s presence in my life and influenced my decision to join the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York. I especially enjoyed working with the juniors and seniors at St. Joseph High School and serving in the parish as a lector, greeter, Eucharistic and hospitality minister, and a member of the liturgical committee. Living in community, including our prayer life, provides me with time and space for prayer and meditation.
Sister Donna Marie Evans, OSF
Born: Honolulu; 1936
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Celebrating: 70 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 26 (1936-41, 1968-75, 2012-present)
Past ministries: Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Peru
Present ministry: Prayer ministry and Franciscan presence at St. Francis Kupuna Village — The Villas
Biography/reflection: Sister Donna Marie Evans, the daughter of the late Don Martin Evans and Elsie Evans, was born in Honolulu. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Sister Donna and her family moved to Los Angeles, and she later returned to Hawaii with her parents and three sisters. She graduated from St. Francis Convent School, entered the Sisters of St. Francis, made her final vows in 1961, and received her B.S. in science education and M.A. in physical sciences. Sister Donna shared her God-given talents and abilities as an educator in chemistry, physics, oceanography, physical sciences and health care, which included being a pastoral/parish minister, mission coordinator, and service volunteer in Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico and Peru. Noted for being a very innovative and resourceful person, Sister Donna used to do acrylic painting, mountain climbing, hiking and scuba diving, but now she enjoys praying, reading and singing. One of her favorite prayers since she was younger, which she taught to her students, is: “Holy Spirit, give me the light to see the strength to do the will of God.” She said being open to the voice of the Spirit within her and having great trust in God’s will has helped her throughout her life as she continues to live her Franciscan religious life for God and God’s people!
Sister Marie Romano, OSF
Born: Honolulu; 1937
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Celebrating: 70 years
Years of service in Hawaii: Born in Honolulu
Past ministries: Educator; supervisor for student teachers from Chaminade University; office manager and secretary for St. Vincent de Paul Society; hospice care for St. Francis Healthcare System in Ewa; music minister for Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
Present ministry: Franciscan presence. Knowing that Christ lives in me, I share his love, mercy and compassion to all I meet.
Biography/reflection: This jubilee celebrates a long time in religious life. Sometimes I don’t realize it while living and loving what I do. My first assignment was in Syracuse, New York, teaching first grade. It was a privilege to learn that Mother Marianne also lived there in her younger years. I was later sent to Puerto Rico with two other sisters to open our new mission there. After a short while, I was called home to Hawaii because of sickness and death in the family. I then taught in Long Beach, California, where I was asked to relieve a sister in Ohio who was ill. Saying “yes” was not easy; yet, God is never outdone in generosity. I met wonderful people in Lorain, Ohio, who loved the sisters until they had to leave because of lack of personnel. They made it possible for me to travel all over Europe before leaving for home in Hawaii. Here in Hawaii several jobs were open to me. I was hired by the University of Hawaii and later Chaminade University of Honolulu. Besides education, I served as the office manager and secretary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and when St. Francis had its hospice in Ewa, I worked in hospice care and visited every patient in hospice. I am retired, yes, but I want to keep on doing as much as I can with God’s help.
60 years
Brother Richard C. Kupo, SS.CC.
Born: Wailuku; 1946
Community: Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Celebrating: 60 years
Years of service in Hawaii: Since 1966
Past ministries: Physical education teacher at St. Ann and St. Patrick schools for 25 years; sacristan, cook and environment decorator for St. Patrick Church; treasurer for the congregation’s Hawaii Province; provincial council member for the Hawaii and U.S. provinces; novice master and socius (assistant to the novice master)
Present ministries: Providing daily assistance to the congregation’s finance office; preparing the sanctuary at St. Patrick Church throughout the year
Biography/reflection: Brother Richard’s life has been shaped by perseverance, service and a profound devotion to God and community. His journey into religious life was strongly influenced by his mother. He credits her deep faith and constant prayers as guiding forces that led him to consider religious life. Brother Richard has served in Hawaii since 1966, dedicating decades of ministry to education, parish life and the internal leadership of his religious community. Looking back on his journey, Brother Richard says one of the most important lessons he learned early in religious life was perseverance, a virtue that sustained him through the challenges and blessings of his vocation. Brother Richard expresses deep gratitude to all who have supported him in his journey – his religious brothers and sisters – throughout his religious life. He is thankful for the countless friends, collaborators and parishioners who have shared in the joys of faith, love and community throughout his life.
Sister Alicia Damien Lau, OSF
Born: Honolulu; 1944
Community: Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
Celebrating: 60 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 44 (1968-72, 1986-present)
Past ministries: Nursing for 62 years in direct care, director of programs and chief operating officer of multiple health care facilities; independent health care consultant, working in health care facilities and staff education
Present ministry: Sales associate at the Pacific Historic Parks Kalaupapa Bookstore; volunteer for the Department of Health in Kalaupapa, assisting wherever needed in the administration office, supporting and being available to current patients, and being present for staff. Also helping with religious functions, caring for the land around St. Elizabeth Convent and maintaining Mother Marianne’s grave.
Biography/reflection: Sixty-one years ago, I never imagined I would call Kalaupapa my home. My years working in health care, examining all aspects of each person’s needs, prepared me for the many challenges our kupuna face. Trained as a nurse, my ministerial path led me to develop new health programs, from serving runaway and homeless children in New York City to elder care. I helped create nursing homes, complex subacute care for children on ventilators, adult residential care facilities, adult day care, homeware and a home health agency.
It has been a very humbling experience to know many of our kupuna and their families, and to see them not as a disease, but through hearing their stories, their joys, hopes and dreams. Being fully mindful and present with them, following in the footsteps of St. Damien and St. Marianne.
The most challenging and rewarding part of being here in Kalaupapa is being ready to help the patients whenever needed. Whether it’s assisting with feeding cats and dogs, going for rides to Kalawao, picking fruit in “secret” spots, helping with mail, setting up Zoom calls with friends or other tasks. The challenging part of this ministry is that there are only 24 hours in a day.
Sister Leonarda Montealto, OP
Born: Iloilo City, Philippines; 1948
Community: Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines
Celebrating: 60 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 56 (arrived in 1970)
Past ministries: Teaching, administration (principal)
Present ministry: Advancement director of the congregation, vocation director of the Hawaii region
Biography/reflection: The year was 1964. It was Aug. 5 when I entered the Dominican Sisters motherhouse in Molo, Iloilo City, Philippines. I was young. I had just graduated from high school, but I was determined to follow the intense call of God to enter religious life. (Come to think of it, I don’t think God really gave me a choice. He was so persistent, and I could not say no.) But no regrets! I am happy and fulfilled as a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary for 56 years now. It was a joy being a teacher and a principal for many years. It is so fulfilling to teach children about Jesus. I tried to lead as Jesus did. My personal story is not about me at all. It is about God and his merciful and faithful love. My vocation — my call, my life of service is a celebration of Jesus, his call, his faithfulness, his mercy, which is the anchor of my religious life, my magnet ever drawing me closer to God, my compass setting my life in prayerful perspective. I can only pray in the silence of my soul, “To you, Lord, be the honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Sister Marian Tung, CSJ
Born: Honolulu; 1943
Community: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Celebrating: 60 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 41 (since 1973; also spent two years as a missionary in Japan)
Past ministries: Grade school teacher; interpreter, social services for the deaf; special education assistant; volunteer work; parish signer for the deaf
Present ministry: Prayer and presence
Biography/reflection: Graduate of St. Theresa School and St. Francis Convent School in Honolulu. Sister Marian earned a B.A. degree in art from Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles and a M.Ed. in deaf education from Smith College in Massachusetts. She has taught in California and Hawaii, and spent two years in Japan as a missionary. Sister Marian worked at Lincoln School, teaching students with hearing needs. Through signing, students were able to communicate and converse with her. It gave her great satisfaction and joy that students and adults had someone who listened to them and to talk story with, and who responded in signing.
50 years
Very Rev. Lane K. Akiona, SS.CC.
Born: Honolulu; 1953
Community: Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and of Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar
Celebrating: 50 years, profession
Years of service in Hawaii: 50
Past ministries: 1980-81, deacon, Christ the King Church, Kahului; 1981-85, associate, Maria Lanakila Church, Lahaina; 1985-87, pastor, St. Michael Church, Waialua; 1987-92, missionary program, St. Joseph Church, Cook Islands; 1992-94, initial formation director, Sacred Hearts Center, Kaneohe; 1994-95, associate, St. Joseph Church, Makawao; 1995-99, pastor, St. Augustine Church, Honolulu; 1999-05, pastor, St. Patrick Church, Honolulu
Present ministry: 2005-present, pastor, St. Augustine Church, Honolulu; 2021-present, provincial superior
Biography/reflection: My missionary experience in the Cook Islands was an important highlight of my ministerial years of service. As our SS.CC. missionaries from Holland, who staffed the mission, were retiring after 50-plus years serving in the Cook Islands, a call was made to the Hawaii provinces (both sisters and brothers) to assist in continuing the mission, especially in Asia and the Pacific. The provinces discerned the request and I volunteered to be missioned.
In 1987 the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in Hawaii sent seven missionaries — sisters and two priests — to the missions in the Asia and the Pacific regions. It was an opportunity for the congregation to now send missionaries from its original missionary endeavors to Hawaii (Sandwich Isles 1827). It was a time of re-missioning the gifts which we received because of the congregation’s original endeavor in the Pacific. There was great excitement and joy in making such a bold effort to be part of our congregational missionary efforts. Another highlight was working with several women religious communities on Maui and Oahu, especially in schools. As religious we shared a common and genuine spirit of collaboration. But the greatest joy now is being able to support and collaborate with organizations for both Christians and non-Christians who are challenged, especially in the Holy Land, with health concerns both physically and medically. St. Damien and St. Marianne continue to remind us to serve “those in greatest need.”
Father Sebastian Chacko
Born: Kerala, India; 1948
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 50 years, ordination
Years of service in Hawaii: 27 (arrived in 1999)
Past ministries: India, Western Samoa, East Africa, American Samoa, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia
Present ministry: Salt Lake City, Utah, serving in Samoan, English and Hispanic ministries
Biography/reflection: I went to the city of Calcutta for minor seminary training in 1960, and joined the Salesian Society in 1967; I was ordained a Salesian priest in 1976. I reached the Samoan Islands in 1980 and became a diocesan priest in 1990. I was incardinated to the Diocese of Pago Pago, American Samoa. The joy of life and priesthood is that I have met so many people of all races in my ministries, By the grace of God I was able to learn many languages. Christ’s love for me helped to persevere and like Christ to overcome legal opposition in promoting his Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Father Clyde Louis Guerreiro, SS.CC.
Born: Aiea; 1949
Community: Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Celebrating: 50 years, ordination
Years of service in Hawaii: Approximately 45 years
Past ministries: Temporary assistant pastor of St. Elizabeth, Aiea; associate pastor of St. Ann, Kaneohe; pastor of St. Michael, Waialua; provincial of the Sacred Hearts Province of Hawaii; pastor of Immaculate Conception, Lihue; initial formation director in Cheverly, Maryland; supply priest for the Sacred Hearts Congregation in Hawaii; pastor of St. Damien of Molokai, Molokai; pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa; parish priest of the English-speaking community, Tonga; development director of the U.S. Sacred Hearts Province; pastor of St. Patrick, Honolulu.
Present ministry: parochial vicar of St. Augustine Church, Waikiki, and treasurer of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts-U.S. Province
Biography/reflection: As a very young man I had the desire to be a religious and a priest. In the basement of our Pearl City home I built an altar out of tile. I would imitate the celebration of the Mass in Latin with my playmates before we went out to play. I also served Mass at St. Joseph Church and School, Waipahu, and the new parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City. After grade school graduation I entered Sacred Hearts Seminary, Hauula, at age 13. I graduated with my B.A. from Chaminade, which was called Chaminade College in those days. I received my Master’s of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. I also professed my perpetual vows and I was ordained a deacon in Chicago. I was ordained a priest by Bishop John J. Scanlan on Aug. 28, 1976, the feast of St. Augustine, at St. Patrick Church Kaimuki. Aside from six years of recent ministry in Tonga, and my short stay in Maryland, most of my ministry as an ordained priest has been spent in the Diocese of Honolulu. Every situation of service as priest has been a lifetime of reliving the paschal mystery.
Brother Bernard Sebastian Samp, CFC
Born: Chicago; 1957
Community: Congregation of Christian Brothers
Celebrating: 50 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 2010-22, 2025-present
Past ministries: Formation in Romeoville, Illinois, on the campus of Lewis University; Brother Rice High School in Chicago; Palma School in Salinas, California
Present ministry: Junior high school math teacher at Damien Memorial School, Honolulu
Biography/reflection: I grew up on the south side of Chicago near Midway airport two blocks away, in a family of eight children (six boys and two girls). I am the oldest child. I attended Catholic schools for my entire education, and entered the Brothers after graduation from high school in the summer of 1975. I have been teaching since January 1979 and have now taught all grades from 6-12 and everything from general math to calculus. Other than teaching, I have coached cross country and track and field for 45 years. I enjoy coaching; the athletes see another side of me. Also, much like in the classroom, you get to see the improvement made and brightness of their faces when they achieve their goals. In the end it is not the medals or championships won, but having made others accomplish things they may not have thought possible. I hope to stay in teaching and coaching as long as the Lord lets me. I am also an avid Cubs fan, because my parents were North Siders.
25 years
Sister Ma. Alma Arcenal, OP
Born: Tantangan, South Cotabato, Philippines; 1973
Community: Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 1 (arrived in 2025)
Past ministry: Teaching
Current ministry: Kitchen in-charge, Rosary Preschool, Waipio Gentry
Biography/reflection: I am the fifth of nine children, blessed to grow up in a home filled with life, faith and the daily lessons of sharing and caring for one another. In a large family, I learned early about patience, generosity and the importance of community. These early experiences planted the seed of my vocation. With deep gratitude, I celebrate 25 years as a Dominican Sister of the Most Holy Rosary. When I first said “yes” to God’s call in 2021, I could not have imagined the journey ahead. Through joys and challenges, missions and community life, his grace has remained constant. Inspired by our foundress Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo, I have sought to contemplate the truth and to share its fruits through prayer, study, community and preaching. These 25 years have taught me that vocation is less about achievement and more about fidelity. I am grateful to my sisters for all those I have been blessed to serve, and for the quiet ways God continues to work through this fragile “yes.” With renewed trust, I offer my life again in thanksgiving.
Deacon Thomas J. Adams
Born: Roswell, New Mexico; 1961
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: Arrived in 1986; ordained in 2001
Past ministry: Sacred Heart Church, Hawi
Present ministry: St. Martin de Porres Church, Prosper, Texas
Biography/reflection: Highlights beyond my wonderful ministry time at Sacred Heart — deacon formation core team for Cohort 8; chairman/secretary of the Deacon Council; serving on the diocesan Pastoral Council; working on the Deacon Social Justice newsletter; serving Mass with Bishop Larry Silva, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Cunningham at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral; serving as Stephen Ministry leader at St. Martin de Porres Church.
Deacon James Edward Bostick
Born: Portsmouth, Ohio; 1936
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 25
Past ministry: St. Theresa Church, Kekaha, Kauai
Present ministry: Retired from ministry
Biography/reflection: I came to Hawaii when I was 18. I became a deacon after serving 22 years in the military. The church helped me go through a lot during the service, and maybe that is why I wanted to give back by serving. After being ordained, I was the only deacon on the island of Kauai for a while and served at the different parishes. A highlight of my ministry was interviewing couples for marriage and assisting at their weddings. I loved ministering at the parish, even if it was seven days a week.
Deacon Edward Cho
Born: Seoul, Korea; 1949
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 25
Past ministries: Deacon at St. George Church, Waimanalo
Present ministry: Senior deacon
Biography/reflection: Twenty-five years ago, on July 28, 2001, I was ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Francis DiLorenzo at the Star of the Sea Church, Waialae-Kahala. As I reflect on this silver jubilee, my heart is filled with profound gratitude to God for calling me to this ministry of service — in the liturgy, the Word and charity. Over the past 25 years, I have had the privilege of serving at St. George Church in Waimanalo, Sacred Heart Church in Punahou and St. Pius X Church in Manoa, walking with the faithful through joys and trials. My ministry has been a journey of faith, often challenging me to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ and to find his presence in the faces of those I serve. I am deeply indebted to my wife, Anna, and our children, Caroline and Nancy, for their unwavering support, prayers and sacrifices. The diaconate is a family vocation, and I could not have completed these 25 years without them. Now I am in my retirement life with Anna; with joy and humility, we are dedicating our lives with prayers, as I renew my commitment to Christ our servant.
Deacon Lawrence Stanley Franco
Born: Wailuku; 1943
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years of diaconal ministry
Years of service in Hawaii: Lifetime resident
Past ministries: Baptismal preparation, housing advocate, homeless shelter director, parish directory chair, chair of parish history, hospital visitor and chaplain, parish choir at St. Theresa, member of the diocesan Justice and Peace Committee, member and chair of the parish and diocesan pastoral councils
Present ministries: Parish safety committee, parish choir
Biography: My service has consistently aided the poorest of Maui County. My efforts started at Holy Family Homeless Shelter in Puunene in November 1986 up to today. I work with others to make housing a possibility for our low-wage or no-wage persons. Also, this work has made me very concerned about how ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is treating our immigrants, and I advocate for them. As a volunteer at St. Theresa Church in Kihei, I was one of the original board members of the Hale Kau Kau feeding program and a volunteer to take food to shut-ins. As a Catholic deacon, I find myself attracted to serve the poor within the church and in the at-large community and hope I can continue that service for years to come.
Deacon Daniel R. Guinaugh
Born: Philadelphia; 1943
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 25 (arrived January 1987)
Past ministries: chair of Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services; diocesan liaison for Hawaii to the CCR National Service Committee
Present ministry: Retired in Florida as a senior deacon
Biography/reflection: Married 60 years; my wife is Rita, and we have two daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. I am retired from the U.S. Marine Corps; I also worked for Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., retiring as vice president of the Power and Industrial Division. I enjoyed being a deacon at Holy Trinity Parish in Kuliouou. The atmosphere at our church, under Father Mike Dalton, was that of a family coming together to celebrate the word and body of the most important person in our lives and our ancestors’ lives. One of my highlights of my deaconate was being Deacon of the Word at Bishop Larry Silva’s installation as bishop. Lastly, being present at the baptisms of the children of the parents I previously helped celebrate their wedding; it is a God moment.
Deacon Harold S. Levy Jr.
Born: Honolulu; 1953
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Past ministries: Assisted with feeding the homeless by cooking hot meals in the parish feeding program; assisted the parish outreach minister to take hot meals to the homebound and present holy Communion to the homebound; chairperson of the parish building committee for many years to the present; served with Father Alapaki Kim (at St. Rita Church, Nanakuli) for all of my years of service as a deacon up until his passing.
Present ministry: As I near retirement as a deacon, I continue the work Father Paki did in presenting parts of the Mass in olelo Hawaii makuahine by reading the Gospel in Hawaiian and English. I am also involved in the parish religious education program with my wife Brenda, teaching elementary students about the sacraments. In concert with the diocesan Building and Planning Committee, our parish building committee is nearing the signing of contracts to build our parish social hall.
Biography/reflection: I attended Catholic schools from kindergarten to high school — St. Joseph School in Waipahu and Saint Louis School in Waikiki. I am married to my wife Brenda, who is a graduate of Saint Francis School; we have two grown sons. She and I have spent our entire lives working together in various ministries in our parish of St. Rita in Nanakuli and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ewa Beach. For most of my career, I have worked in building materials for the construction industry. I also have a background in vegetable farming having operated a truck farm for 14 years of my life. The years of working a lot at night on the farm by myself afforded me much time to pray and spend time with God. I credit this experience that helped prompt me to aspire to become a deacon when asked by my pastor to consider. It was a great privilege to serve with Father Alapaki Kim for 22 years and to minister to our people, celebrating Mass in the Hawaiian language and using Hawaiian values and concepts in homilies. One of my simplest joys in my ministry came when I was in the grocery store and overheard a youngster from our parish point to me and tell one of his friends, “He is my deacon.”
Deacon Stephen Ranulfo Maglente
Born: Lihue; 1945
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 25 (born and raised in Hawaii)
Past ministries: Hawaii Catholic Engaged Encounter, St. Anthony baptism preparation classes, prison ministry, hospital ministry, Right to Life, charismatic prayer group
Present ministry: on-call as needed for Communion service and burial service Biography/reflection: Some of my joys in ministry have been baptizing my grandchildren, welcoming them into the faith. Proclaiming and preaching the Gospel. Officiating marriage ceremonies has also been deeply meaningful. Bringing holy Communion to the sick in the hospital. Praying with family members before a loved one passes away. My greatest blessing as a deacon has been to serve in this ministry alongside my wife, Momi.
Deacon Ronald Paglinawan
Born: Puunene, Maui; 1943
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Past and present ministries: The beginning of our spiritual journey with God started on May 26, 1975, during our Marriage Encounter weekend retreat. From that day, we made our commitment to the marriage and family ministry. We became couple team presenters for the Worldwide Marriage Encounter ministry, serving across Hawaii as well as in the Philippines and Guam. Our involvement in the marriage and family ministry is now going on 50 years. We will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary on Aug. 6. We also presented the Choice weekend retreat for young adults and the weekend retreat for Retrouvaille, a program for troubled marriage. Along the way of our spiritual journey, I was ordained in 2001. In 2003, we were invited by Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo and Msgr. Gary Secor to be involved with the Engaged Encounter ministry for the diocese. We now present the deacon clergy couple talks on Engaged Encounter weekend retreats.
Biography/reflection: I have great joy inviting our male parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach to consider applying to be a deacon. We have had awesome successes at our parish. I have also cherished assisting as a deacon at the altar for the dedication and consecration of the new St. Michael the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona; being involved in the planning and building of our new church at OLPH; baptizing our grand- and great-grand-children; and inviting and workshopping other deacon couples to present on the Engaged Encounter weekends.
Deacon Cornelio Pulido
Born: Laoac, Pangasinan, Philippines; 1946
Community: Diocesan
Celebrating: 25 years
Years of service in Hawaii: 25 (arrived in 1968)
Past ministries: Baptisms, FOCCUS, annulments, Communion service, maintenance, funerals, burials, prenuptial interviews, weddings, prayer group (Our Lady of Manaoag), Bible study, novenas
Present ministries: Baptisms, weddings, Communion service, funerals, prayer (Our Lady of Manaoag)
Biography/reflection: There are three things that I enjoy the most in serving the people of Christ the King Church, Kahului: 1) Infant baptisms, because I love getting to know the families … officiating their child’s baptism brings a different kind of joy. It’s so endearing because you also get to see their children grow in their faith. 2) Serving at care homes with Communion service and visiting with patients — just seeing their faces light up upon seeing me enter their room and shaking hands with them and not wanting to release the handshake. This is special! 3) Wake service: Being a resident of Kahului, many long-lasting friendships have been forged over the years. It is with bittersweet fondness to be able to comfort grieving families that I have grown to know; many heartfelt memories come to mind as we say goodbye.
Deacon Leslie Victor
Deacon Vincent Wozniak