Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu and many of Hawaii’s religious communities gathered April 11 to honor their ordained and professed members who are marking jubilee milestones this year.
The annual Jubilarian Mass was held at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu, with lay faithful also attending the liturgy and reception that followed. Bishop Larry Silva, who last year celebrated his own 50th jubilee of priestly ordination, celebrated the Mass; he was joined by several priests, including Sacred Hearts Father Clyde L. Guerreiro — one of this year’s honorees (50 years).
Deacon Edward Cho and Deacon Harold “Hal” Levy, both marking 25 years of ordination, served as deacons of the altar. Dominican Sister Ma. Alma Arcenal, celebrating 25 years of profession, was the lector; the gift bearers were Dominican Sister Ma. Leonarda Montealto (60 years) and Franciscan Sister Marie Jose Romano (70 years).
Out of a class of 25 jubilarians, ranging from 70 years to 25 years, about half were at the Mass. In addition to those with roles in the liturgy, the others who attended were:
- Franciscan Sister Charlene Epil, 70 years
- Franciscan Sister Donna Marie Evans, 70 years
- Sacred Hearts Brother Richard Kupo, 60 years
- Franciscan Sister Alicia Damien Lau, 60 years
- Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Marian Tung, 60 years
- Christian Brother Bernard Sebastian Samp, 50 years
In his homily, delivered not from the pulpit but in front of the congregation, Bishop Silva noted that the jubilarians, though “quite gifted,” are also “very ordinary people” like everyone else.
What sets them apart, though, is their knowledge that “they have been entrusted by the Lord with his work of preaching the good news,” Bishop Silva continued.
With “the gift of patience,” the clergy and religious women and men strive to share this message with all, whether it’s among themselves, at parishes and schools, or through religious education programs — with the hope that “one day we’ll get it,” Bishop Silva said.
“It’s a hard message to understand sometimes, but … these sisters and brothers who we honor today have certainly stayed faithful to that message throughout their lives and have shared it with all of us,” he added.
“We thank God for them and we honor them.”
Bishop Silva followed his homily by asking the jubilarians in attendance to renew their commitment to their vocation.
During the concluding rites, the jubilarians were honored with plaques and a handshake or hug (or both); those not in attendance were nevertheless named and applauded for their achievement.
Marianist Brother Brandon Alana, chair of the Leadership Association of Religious Communities, also spoke briefly before Mass concluded — thanking those who organized the day and calling on the faithful present to consider religious life as well, whether for themselves or for someone they know.
From top: Some of the jubilarians honored at the annual Jubilarian Mass April 11 stood to renew their commitment to their vocation at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu; Deacon Edward Cho, left, and Deacon Harold “Hal” Levy, right, served as deacons of the altar alongside Bishop Larry Silva during the Jubilarian Mass; Sacred Hearts Father Clyde Guerreiro, second from right, concelebrated the Mass and also was honored for his 50-year jubilee. (Photos by Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)