Special to the Herald
Although the OCIA process and the journey to Catholicism are important focal points of the Lenten season, parishioners at St. Ann Church in Kaneohe were abundantly blessed this year with the many sights, sounds, smells and tastes that are an integral part of our Catholic heritage.
The blessings began with ashes on Ash Wednesday and continued with Monday evening vespers, Taize prayer and Friday night stations of the cross. Then came the triduum — first with Sacred Hearts Father Patrick Tukidia and Sacred Hearts Father Lomano Fifita, who washed the feet of 12 parishioners on Holy Thursday and recalled the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. Then came the veneration of the cross on Good Friday and, during the Easter Vigil, the lighting of new fire as we declared, “Christ our light!” They all were wonderful, blessed celebrations.
There was one event which was beautiful in its simplicity and reverence: the stations of the cross, presented at
3 p.m. on Good Friday by St. Ann’s youth ministry. With the Koolau mountain range and our Blessed Mother’s azure sky as a backdrop, we followed Jesus as he was condemned to die by Pontius Pilate.
We saw Jesus pushed along by the cruel Roman soldiers, falling to the ground. We saw Veronica’s veil bearing the image of his sacred face. Finally, at the grassy knoll, we witnessed his crucifixion and death. As we watched and prayed, he was taken down from the cross and placed into his mother’s arms. Many lingered at the foot of the cross. Then we departed in silence.
Robert Noguchi, St. Ann’s religious education director, orchestrated the event. He directed the cast, assembled props with his sons Caleb and Luke, and, with Sylvia Makainai and MaryRose Timmons, worked on costume design. Luke also played the role of Jesus while Caleb portrayed Pontius Pilate. The rest of the cast comprised youth group members, Makainai, Timmons and youth ministry coordinator Shane Chambers, with Noguchi narrating the entire event.
Above: St. Ann youth reenacted the 14th station of the cross on Good Friday. (Courtesy photo)